Double Dragon has been produced for a near
limitless amount of consoles. Off the top, one can think of the NES, Master System, 2600,
7800, Game Gear, numerous computers, Genesis, Lynx, and the Game Boy version reviewed
here. That's a whole lotta fightin'. While the Genesis version may be the most accurate of
the bunch, the Game Boy version brings an interesting mix of platforming and fighting
making it one of the better versions of the classic game. If you're reading this and are a regular visitor to the website, you know the story. If you've stumbled across us by some freak accident and don't know the story, sorry, your SOL. As one of the very first Game Boy games ever released, Double Dragon still manages to be one of the best games ever made for the system. Mixing in classic moments from the arcade game, entirely new segments, and featuring all the classic characters, this is definitely one of the best.
If you've played every version of the game mentioned above, your probably well aware that each of those conversions brings something different to the table. The Game Boy rendition adds some annoying platform elements that detract from the game somewhat, but all of the punching and kicking that made the game famous is still here. The gameplay is a bit slower than would be desired, but it actually gives the game it's own sense of style.
Basically ripping it's graphical style from the NES version,
there are very few differences in character design and animation. The backgrounds have
been re-done for the most part and actually look better than the home version. There is
never any flicker or slowdown to annoy those us who simply can't stand it. The classic
soundtrack has been replicated here with near perfection and is arguably one of the best
renditions of it on any console. Though the sound effects occasionally drown it out, you
definitely want the volume turned up for this one.
If anything takes away from this excellent port, it's dying. Dying isn't exactly present in any form, but when it takes you all the way back to the start of the stage regardless of how far in you've gotten, then it's even worse. Add in some "leap-of-faith" jumping segments and you have one of the more unforgiving versions of Double Dragon.
While a few minor quirks drop this one from the flawless status it could've received, this is still a must play if you own a Game Boy. There isn't a better playing side-scroller for the console in any form. Fans of the series will be pleased with this excellent conversion.
