Double Dragon

From Sega Retro

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

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DoubleDragon MD title.png

Double Dragon
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Ballistic,
Sega Master System
Sega
Developer:
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Developer(s) of original games: Technos
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$39.9539.95[3] ACLD009
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		ACLD009
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£29.9929.99[2]
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

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Double Dragon (ダブルドラゴン) is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up by Technos, originally released as an arcade game in 1987 as a spiritual sequel to the 1986 release of Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun (known in its Westernised form as Renegade).

The game was ported twice to Sega consoles: the first version was produced for the Sega Master System in 1988 by Sega themselves (although the actual development was outsourced to Arc System Works); the second version was for the Sega Mega Drive in 1992, produced by Accolade and published under their Ballistic Software imprint, it was released without a license from Sega.

Gameplay

Double Dragon centers around Billy and Jimmy Lee, twin martial arts masters who must rescue a young woman named Marian from the clutches of the Black Warriors, a ruthless street gang led by the notorious machine gun-toting Willy Mackey. The game can be played alone as Billy (who wears blue), or with a partner who takes control of Jimmy (in red). Using their martial arts techniques, or whatever weapons they may arm themselves with, the Lee brothers must fight their way through a slum, an abandoned factory, and the wooded outskirts of the city, before reaching the hideout of the gang, where Willy awaits them.

Versions

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.

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

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #34: "May 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Mega Drive print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #124: "March 1992" (1992-02-15)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
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Mega Drive print advert in Joypad (FR) #6: "Mars 1992" (1992-02-1x)
Logo-pdf.svg
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Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #111: "February 1991" (1991-01-16)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
59 №9, p64-66[7]
84 №32, p46[3]
52 №7, p46/47
78 №14, p58/59
71 №32, p173[8]
31 №3, p79[9]
40 №3, p36
82 №1, p64
53 №5, p52/53
59 №19, p102-104[10]
13 №31, p30/31
72 №7, p34/35[11]
43 №6, p32/33[12]
Sega Mega Drive
 57
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[13]
Console XS (UK) PAL
72
[14]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
30
[15]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[3]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
52
[16]
Joypad (FR) PAL
78
[17]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
71
[8]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
31
[9]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
40
[18]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
40
[19]
Mega Action (UK)
82
[20]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
53
[21]
Mean Machines (UK)
59
[22]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
59
[23]
Power Play (DE)
58
[24]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
13
[25]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
72
[11]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
72
[26]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
43
[12]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
70
[27]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
60
[28]
Video Games (DE)
54
[29]
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

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №1, p54[30]
79 №4, p95[31]
85 №1, p55[32]
76 №86, p175[4]
81 №14, p75[33]
77 №6, p24/25[34]
85 №23, p41
60 №23, p56
77 №2, p45[35]
Sega Master System
 78
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
82
[36]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
79
[31]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
85
[32]
Computer Action (DK)
75
[37]
Console XS (UK) PAL
70
[38]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
76
[4]
The Games Machine (UK)
81
[39]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
70
[40]
Player One (FR)
77
[34]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
85
[41]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[42]
Sega Pro (UK)
77
[35]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
70
[43]
Tilt (FR)
75
[44]
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

Technical information

ROM dump status

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

References

  1. ↑ File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf, page 9
  2. ↑ File:SegaPro UK 07.pdf, page 12
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 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
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 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
  5. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 39
  6. ↑ Mean Machines, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 66
  7. ↑ File:ConsolesPlus FR 009.pdf, page 64
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 File:Joystick FR 032.pdf, page 173 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 032.pdf_p173" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:MDAG UK 03.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MDAG UK 03.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  10. ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 19.pdf, page 102
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 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
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 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
  13. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 93
  14. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 129
  15. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 39
  16. ↑ Game Zone, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-22), page 46
  17. ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 48
  18. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 36
  19. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  20. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 64
  21. ↑ MegaTech, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-20), page 52
  22. ↑ Mean Machines, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-28), page 64
  23. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  24. ↑ Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 149
  25. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-07), page 30
  26. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  27. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 52
  28. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  29. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 50
  30. ↑ File:CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf, page 54
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 95 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p95" defined multiple times with different content
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf, page 55 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf_p55" defined multiple times with different content
  33. ↑ File:TGM UK 14.pdf, page 75
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 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
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 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
  36. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 54
  37. ↑ Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 34
  38. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 139
  39. ↑ The Games Machine, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-18), page 74
  40. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  41. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 41
  42. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 56
  43. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  44. ↑ Tilt, "Mars 1989" (FR; 1989-0x-xx), page 71



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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