Review Date: April 18, 2021
Release Date: January 1, 1990
Platform: NES
Publisher: Acclaim
Genre: Beat ‘Em Up
Anecdotes: It’s time to double our Double Dragon fun by doubling the number of games! For the most part, gameplay is very similar to the first game. For those that liked the first game, they’ll probably like the second. The same holds true for those that didn’t.
Description: Billy and Jimmy are back for more, but this time, they can play together as the game contains a two player mode. Per Wikipedia: Players control Billy and Jimmy Lee, who are on a mission to avenge the death of Billy’s girlfriend Marian after she is killed during an attack by the Shadow Warriors.
Positives:
-There is a lot more variety in the settings. The number of missions jumped from 4 to 9. There will still be cases where Billy has to go through a door, but the doors are obvious here and aren’t Abobo-created holes in the wall.
-It takes a little getting used to, but A hits right and B hits left. This is useful for when Billy is attacked from behind. He doesn’t have to turn around to attack anymore. He can even go back and forth if he’s attacked on both sides. Just don’t press both buttons at the same time or Billy will jump.
Negatives:
-While the easiest mode is insultingly called “Practice,” it has a big flaw: the game cuts off after mission 3. The “normal” mode ends after mission 8. I don’t get this at all. There’s no reason to deny players looking for an easier experience a chance to see every level.
-And then there’s the fun of platforming. First off, this is a Beat ‘Em Up game; why is there any platforming in it at all? The first game did this, too, but the second did nothing to correct it. It’s still two buttons to jump, the jumping is still stiff, and none of it should be necessary. The only reason any jumping should be in this game is to jump kick. When I played, nearly all of my deaths were due to either missing jumps, falling off ledges, or getting tossed over an edge. Mission 5 had tons of fall deaths, between the jumps under the waterfall and getting thrown around by an Abobo.
Screenshots:
Final Opinion: The whole game just screams “average” to me. It’s not great, but it’s not lousy, either.
Grade: C