Double Dragon

From Sega Retro

For the 1993 Game Gear game by Virgin Interactive, see Double Dragon (Game Gear).

n/a

DoubleDragon MD title.png

Double Dragon
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive
Publisher:
Sega Master System
Sega,
Sega Mega Drive
Ballistic
Developer:
Licensor: Technos Japan
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Developer(s) of original games: Technos
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Sound Images v1.0
Peripherals supported:
Sega Master System
FM Sound Unit
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
JP 		¥5,5005,500 G-1369
Sega Master System
US 		7012
Sega Master System
EU 		MK-7012-50
Sega Master System
PT 		MSJ7012
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR 		GB-1369
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$39.9539.95[5] ACLD009
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		ACLD009
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£29.9929.99[3][4]

Double Dragon (ダブルドラゴン) is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up by Technos released for the arcades in 1987. It's considered a spiritual sequel to Technos's previous hit Renegade, while also serving as a precursor to later games in the genre such as Final Fight and Streets of Rage. The game was ported to several consoles and home computers since its original arcade release, including to Sega consoles twice: the first time was for the Master System by Sega themselves in 1988, and later for the Genesis in 1992 by Accolade.

Story

Near the end of the 20th century, violence ruled the streets of New York City after the nuclear war and people began forming gangs to survive. On the outskirts of the city lived twin brothers named Jimmy and Billy Lee. The brothers used to run a martial arts school in the centre of the city which was burned down to ashes five years ago as a result of the nuclear war. Despite this, the brothers did not neglect their training for even a day.

The younger brother, Billy, was romantically involved with a female instructor named Marian, but Jimmy was secretly in love with her as well. One day, Marian was abducted by the Black Warriors, a savage street gang led by a man named Willy Mackey. The gang gradually grew in size after the nuclear war and they are now dominant organization of the city.

The Lee brothers set out to confront the Black Warriors and rescue Marian.

Gameplay

Double Dragon is a side-scrolling action game that can be played by up to two players simultaneously. Player 1 controls Billy Lee (who wears the blue outfit), while Player 2 controls his twin brother Jimmy (in red). The objective of the game is to defeat every enemy from one area to the next until reaching the end of the stage and defeating the boss.

The controls of the original arcade version consisted of an eight way joystick and three buttons (kick, jump, punch). The player can move not only left or right, but also towards or away from the background. The basic attacks consists of a left-right punch combo and a kick. After a couple of punches or a single kick, the enemy will be in a stunned pose. During this period, the player can follow it up with an uppercut, a roundhouse kick or a head grab (depending on the enemy type). During a head grab, the player can repeatedly kick the enemy with their knees or throw him to the other side. Other moves including a jump kick, an elbow strike, a leaping reverse kick and a headbutt. Some enemies can also be grabbed from behind during 2-players mode, allowing your partner to attack him.

There are also seven types of weapons that are either, found on the ground in certain areas or by disarming an armed enemy. To pick up a weapon, stand near it and pick it up with the punch button. While armed, the weapon can be used by pressing the punch button. Certain large objects can also be kicked to the ground with the kick button.

Versions

Master System

The Master System version is a downscaled adaptation of the arcade game similar to the NES version released before it. While the character designs are pretty similar to the NES version, the Master System version retains the 2-player co-op mode and features level designs much closer to the arcade game (albeit, without the vertical scrolling and climbable ladders/fences in some areas). Because the arcade version used a three button setup (with a dedicated jump button), the input method of certain moves such as the flying jump kick, backward spin kick and elbow strike were changed to better accommodate the Master System's two button controls. The consecutive attacks (the uppercut and roundhouse kick) and the hair grab are also performed a bit differently. The Master System only displays up to three enemies and a single weapon on-screen at once.

Mega Drive

In contrast, the Mega Drive version is a relatively straight port of the arcade with slight differences in graphics and sound. Most notably the backgrounds graphics are different, some of the character sprites (specifically Marian and Linda) are not 100% accurate and the head-swapped boss characters (the mohawked version of Abobo at the end of Missions 1 and 3, and the Lee brother lookalike at the end of Mission 2) are replaced with plain palette swaps.

Magazine articles

Main article: Double Dragon/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

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Print advert in Pixel (GR) #72: "Dekémvrios 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
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Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #111: "February 1991" (1991-01-16)
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Mega Drive print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #124: "March 1992" (1992-02-15)
also published in:
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Mega Drive print advert in Joypad (FR) #6: "Mars 1992" (1992-02-1x)
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Print advert in GamePro (US) #34: "May 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Physical scans

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 [8]
79 [9]
85 [10]
76 [1]
81 [11]
77 №6, p24/25[12]
85 №23, p41
60 №23, p56
77 №2, p45[13]
Sega Master System
 78
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
82
[8]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
79
[9]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
85
[10]
Computer Action (DK)
75
[14]
Console XS (UK) PAL
70
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
76
[1]
The Games Machine (UK)
81
[16]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
70
[17]
Player One (FR)
77
[12]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
85
[18]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[19]
Sega Pro (UK)
77
[13]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
70
[20]
Tilt (FR)
75
[21]
Sega Master System
 75
Based on
14 reviews

Double Dragon

Master System, US
DoubleDragon SMS US noR cover.jpg
Cover
Doubledragon sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, US (® from Tonka variant)
DoubleDragon SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
DoubleDragon SMS US cart.jpg
Cart
Doubledragon sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
DoubleDragon SMS EU noR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
® variant
DoubleDragon SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU (8 languages)
DoubleDragon SMS EU 8lang cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, JP
DoubleDragon SMS JP Box.jpg
Cover
DoubleDragon SMS JP cart.jpg
Cart
DoubleDragonSMSJPManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

DoubleDragon SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
DoubleDragonSMSAuManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (cardboard)
DoubleDragon SMS BR2 Box.jpg
Cover
DoubleDragon SMS BR2 Cart.jpg
Cart
DoubleDragon SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
DoubleDragon SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
DoubleDragon SMS BR cart.jpg
Cart
DoubleDragon SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, KR

DoubleDragon SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, SE

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
59 №9, p64-66[22]
84 №32, p46[5]
52 №7, p46/47
78 №14, p58/59
71 [23]
31 [24]
40 №3, p36
82 №1, p64
53 №5, p52/53
59 №19, p102-104[25]
13 №31, p30/31
72 №7, p34/35[26]
43 №6, p32/33[27]
Sega Mega Drive
 57
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[28]
Console XS (UK) PAL
72
[29]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
30
[30]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[5]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
52
[31]
Joypad (FR) PAL
78
[32]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
71
[23]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
31
[24]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
40
[33]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
40
[34]
Mega Action (UK)
82
[35]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
53
[36]
Mean Machines (UK)
59
[37]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
59
[38]
Power Play (DE)
58
[39]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
13
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
72
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
72
[41]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
43
[27]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
70
[42]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
60
[43]
Video Games (DE)
54
[44]
Sega Mega Drive
 57
Based on
22 reviews

Double Dragon

Mega Drive, US/EU
DoubleDragon MD US Box.jpgNospine.png
Cover
Doubledragon md us cart.jpg
Cart
Double Dragon MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
(Video Game Classics)
DoubleDragon MD US Box Front Classic.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 a55d89f3
MD5 fe9aa8044951b10f876b15f4456161a9
SHA-1 cad5532af94ed75c0ada8820a83fa04d22f7bef5
256kB Cartridge
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 054f5d53
MD5 6c34e2fd2b6800194dfad16fadaef820
SHA-1 f054fb2c16a78ce5f5ce20a36bf0f2634f169969
512kB 1992-01 Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:CVG UK 086.pdf, page 175 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 086.pdf_p175" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 086.pdf_p175" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 9
  3. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 12
  4. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 12
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 File:GamePro US 032.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 032.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ Mean Machines, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 66
  7. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 39
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 54
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 95
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 55
  11. ↑ The Games Machine, "January 1989" (UK; 1988-12-15), page 75
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:PlayerOne FR 006.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 006.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf, page 47 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf_p47" defined multiple times with different content
  14. ↑ Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 34
  15. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 139
  16. ↑ The Games Machine, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-18), page 74
  17. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  18. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 41
  19. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 56
  20. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  21. ↑ Tilt, "Mars 1989" (FR; 1989-0x-xx), page 71
  22. ↑ File:ConsolesPlus FR 009.pdf, page 64
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Joystick, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 173
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 79
  25. ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 19.pdf, page 102
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 File:SegaPro UK 07.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 07.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 File:SegaForce UK 06.pdf, page 32 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 06.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content
  28. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 93
  29. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 129
  30. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 39
  31. ↑ Game Zone, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-22), page 46
  32. ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 48
  33. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 36
  34. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  35. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 64
  36. ↑ MegaTech, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-20), page 52
  37. ↑ Mean Machines, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-28), page 64
  38. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  39. ↑ Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 149
  40. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-07), page 30
  41. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  42. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 52
  43. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  44. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 50


Double Dragon

DoubleDragon MD title.png

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Double Dragon games for Sega systems
Sega Master System
 Double Dragon (1988)
Sega Mega Drive
 Double Dragon II: The Revenge (1991) | Double Dragon (1992) | Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone (1992/1993) | Battletoads/Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team (1993) | Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls (1994)
Sega Game Gear
 Double Dragon (1993)
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