Genre: Beat ’em up
Publisher: Mastertronic
Year: 1990
System: Amstrad CPC
Double Dragon is the Amstrad CPC port of the iconic arcade beat ’em up that helped define the genre. Players take on the role of Billy or Jimmy Lee, martial arts experts on a mission to rescue a kidnapped girl from the Black Warriors gang. The game unfolds over several side-scrolling stages, filled with thugs, weapons to pick up, and familiar urban backdrops.
On the CPC, the visuals are colourful but blocky, and the animation somewhat stiff. Still, the port manages to retain the arcade’s basic mechanics, including co-op play. The controls can feel sluggish at times, particularly during more crowded sequences. Music and sound effects are minimal, with some notable omissions compared to other versions.
