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System:
MasterSystem
Genre:
Beat 'Em Up
Publisher:
SEGA
Developer:
-
Players:
-
Release date/year:
1988
Other systems:
NES
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- Double Dragon
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1988 SEGA - MS
Double Dragon has held a place in gamers hearts as the game where beating the hell out of some thug on some city street was worth spending money on. Spawning several sequels, home system games, cartoons, comic books and even a doomed movie, Double Dragon is the stuff dreams are made of! Pitting you in a role as either Hammer or Spike, later to be known as Billy and Jimmy Lee, you take to the streets in an attempt to find the kidnapped Marion. As the game progresses in it's side scrolling fashion, you'll punch, kick, hold and chuck people with enough action to make you think you're in a martial arts flick!
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-The Game Play-
Double Dragon features some of the best beat down action of any side scrolling platformer in its time. Putting you in the role of Hammer or Spike, you take to the streets and beat up the numerous thugs that come after you with vicious punches and kicks as well as throws and the infamous knee bash to the head throw! Through several different stages, you'll hone your skills against a computer opponent that becomes increasingly stronger and meaner as the game goes on.
With that being said, you'll find challenge waiting at every corner, and different enemies that force you to learn different tactics. A game of this type really doesn't have much to offer but a one time through outside of its addictive qualities. In later stages, you'll more than likely be overrun as the enemies get larger and come in a higher number. The two player option is a great addition to the game, but you’ll find that the one thing missing from this version is the team-up maneuver in which a friend holds and enemy and you start beating them down.
While the control on the Master System is not quite perfect, it is pretty damned close. You have a punch and kick button that allows you to grab onto your enemy and beat them down, however, you can no longer hold them for your partner if you have a friend playing with you. You can latch onto an enemy, knee them, punch them, and then chuck them over your shoulder. In certain areas, you can pick up weapons and use them against the onslaught of opponents with the punch button. All it takes is practice, and you'll beating them down with the best of them!
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-The Visuals-
For a game of this age, it has all the trimmings, from the run down slums to the character designs and fighting attacks! With heavy hits, you'll see blood fly just slightly, and even though the speed isn't the fastest in video game history, it gives a certain amount of impact watching the punches land with slow, plodding accuracy! Character colors reflect the player number, blue for player one, red for player two, and it's a hell of a sight to watch you or your friend hold an enemy while the other punches the hell out of them! However, you’ll still see the limitations that the game has to offer with some of the variations in the enemies and it is apparent in this old version of Double Dragon that the emphasis is more on the action and not the overall presentation.
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-The Audio-
The music is rather quiet through the game, and only changes depending on what stage that you're on. It's pulse pounding, and keeps up with the flow of the game, but really is too quiet to keep tabs on! The sound effects range from grunts and groans, to the sickening thump and thud of your fists smashing against some schmucks face and busting out their teeth! The Master System does an excellent job keeping with the original theme of the game, so those who are fans of the original arcade game will find this to be a well done port over.
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-The Verdict-
Double Dragon may have spawned some mishaps and failures, but those who remember where it all started will remember that this is possibly the best Double Dragon game to grace the arcades and the home systems! With future sequels not fairing so well, most will be drawn back here, to where the enemies where plentiful, the story was fresh and the fighting was fast and furious. The control could use a little work, but the visuals and the audio that you find here is likened to the arcade version of the finger masher. If you want to keep bashing people, long after the arcade closed and you can find a copy of this game, then this is the title for you and your Master System collection!
8/10
//KasketDarkfyre
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