Yesterday, the return of one of the most legendary “beat ’em up” sagas in history was announced. We’re talking about Double Dragon, which will come back to us with its “Double Dragon Revive“, a game produced and published by Arc System Works and developed by the Japanese studio Yuke’s. It will hit the market in 2025 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC.
This new installment will once again bet on classic gameplay with side-scrolling, although it will feature an impressive graphical look, using polygons and 3D structures that will delight those of us who enjoy personifying the Lee brothers once again. Additionally, the urban and decadent environments will return, albeit with a completely renewed and fresh look, where we will advance by civilly interacting with other individuals through kicks and punches, as could not be otherwise. Hundreds of thugs, bullies, mercenaries, mobsters, mini-bosses, and big bosses, against whom we can use, in addition to our friendly fists and legs, a plethora of melee weapons like baseball bats, knives, or nunchakus, among others.
Can’t imagine it? Watch the trailer below:
According to the information published, Double Dragon Revive will feature intuitive and straightforward gameplay, with controls balanced and perfected for the modern era. It has been supervised by personnel experienced in fighting games from Arc System Works, and its developer, the Japanese studio Yuke’s, is also known for having developed numerous wrestling games, like the famous WWE 2K series.
Part of the reality we all know is that during these long 37 years, not all titles in this franchise have enjoyed good reception from the public, including its spin-offs and adaptations. But it is also true that we are going through the “second golden age” of the “beat ’em up” genre, which has gifted us with high-quality titles and extremely fun gameplays. For this reason, and added to the impressive images that we can appreciate in the trailer, we could almost assure that this new installment of the franchise will be a success worthy of buying and keeping in our libraries for countless years.
What do you say? Have you been living under a rock for the last 37 years and don’t know what Double Dragon is?… Don’t worry, keep reading.
Double Dragon: The Beat ‘em Up That Made History
Double Dragon is an iconic video game that marked a before and after in the history of arcades when it launched in 1987. Although it was not the first game of its kind, it stood out by introducing novel mechanics that positioned it as a classic. The game’s plot revolves around the brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee, who must rescue Billy‘s girlfriend, Marian, kidnapped by the criminal organization Shadow Warriors. This simple yet effective scenario created an immersive experience that many compare to action movies of the eighties.
The game’s development was a bet on expanding the fighting game experience by allowing players to move more freely on the screen, a novelty for the time. Moreover, the game was noted for its ability to be played in cooperative mode, a highly appreciated feature that allowed two players to each control one of the Lee brothers. The enemies in Double Dragon were notorious for their variety of attacks, using not only basic punches but also weapons like rocks, blades, and whips.
The Legacy of the Lee Brothers
The influence of Double Dragon extended beyond the arcades. With versions for numerous platforms, including a notable port for the NES that, although only allowing single-player mode in its main campaign, offered a secondary fighting mode that preserved the original game’s spirit. This legacy also included sequels and reinventions, such as Double Dragon Neon and Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, which tried to modernize the original formula to adapt to new generations while maintaining its essence.
Double Dragon not only defined a genre but also established itself as a standard against which other fighting and cooperative games would be compared, maintaining its relevance in popular culture through the decades.
Adaptations
Double Dragon has transcended beyond video games, extending its legacy to television series and movies. An animated series was launched in 1993, running for two seasons until 1994. This adaptation transformed the Lee brothers into martial arts instructors and police consultants with superhero identities, fighting against a criminal organization led by the Shadow Master. The series introduced several original characters and maintained key elements of the game such as Jimmy‘s transformation from villain to hero.
In cinema, Double Dragon was adapted into a live-action movie in 1994, which presented the Lee brothers facing challenges in a post-apocalyptic “New Angeles“. The film, although not a critical success, is remembered for its unique and stylized approach to the video game narrative.
These adaptations have helped keep the Double Dragon franchise in the public consciousness, demonstrating the versatility and enduring appeal of its story and characters.
In Summary
After a somewhat conflicted trajectory, although undeniably firm, Double Dragon has become a “cult” franchise in the world of fighting video games and arcades. That said, Double Dragon Revive seems to be, at least according to the information we have so far, a worthy return for the Lee brothers, which will be up to (or raise the bar of) the historical weight this fun saga carries.
And you? You’ll play it, right? We certainly will! And while we wait, how about you stop by the comments and leave us your opinion on this franchise, and its impressive return? You know gamer, we’ll be reading you! 🙂
Images Source: ArcSystemWorks Official YouTube Channel, Reddit
