Can I play Double Dragon with a friend online?
Yes. The arcade Double Dragon and Double Dragon II, plus Double Dragon II and III on the NES, Super Double Dragon and Battletoads & Double Dragon all support online Net Play.
Double Dragon Games – Play Double Dragon Online
Billy and Jimmy Lee's street fights, from the 1987 arcade original that defined the beat 'em up to the NES trilogy, Super Double Dragon and Double Dragon Advance. Free in your browser, with online co-op.
All Double Dragon Games in Order
ARCADE2PDouble Dragon (Arcade)
1987 · Technōs Japan · 2 Players Online
NES2PDouble Dragon (NES)
1988 · Technōs Japan · 2 Players Online
ARCADE2PDouble Dragon II: The Revenge (Arcade)
1988 · Technōs Japan · 2 Players Online
NES2PDouble Dragon II: The Revenge (NES)
1989 · Technōs Japan · 2 Players Online
NES2PDouble Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
1991 · Technōs Japan · 2 Players Online
SNES2PSuper Double Dragon
1992 · Technos Japan Corp. · 2 Players Online
NES2PBattletoads & Double Dragon
1993 · RARE · 2 Players Online
GBBattletoads & Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team
1993 · Rare
SNESDouble Dragon V: The Shadow Falls (SNES)
1994 · Leland Interactive Media
JAGUARDouble Dragon V: The Shadow Falls (Jaguar)
1995 · Leland Interactive Media
GBADouble Dragon Advance
2003 · MILLION
Where the beat 'em up began
Double Dragon (1987) by Technōs Japan set the rules every brawler followed: two brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee, walk through the city to rescue Marian from the Black Warriors gang. You punch, kick, grab enemies by the hair, steal their baseball bats and whips, and throw them off ledges. It was one of the first arcade games where two players could fight side by side – and at the very end, the brothers fight each other for Marian.
The Double Dragon games in order
| Game | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Double Dragon (Arcade) | Arcade, 1987 | The original, 2-player co-op |
| Double Dragon II: The Revenge (Arcade) | Arcade, 1988 | Direction-based attack buttons, tougher bosses |
| Double Dragon (NES) | NES | Single-player story with a level-up system, plus a versus mode |
| Double Dragon II: The Revenge (NES) | NES | A different game from the arcade II, with full co-op – the NES favorite |
| Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones | NES | A world tour, extra fighters joining your team |
| Super Double Dragon | SNES | Big sprites, counters and a power meter |
| Battletoads & Double Dragon | NES / Game Boy | The Lee brothers team up with Rare's Battletoads |
| Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls | SNES / Jaguar | A one-on-one fighting game, not a brawler |
| Double Dragon Advance | Game Boy Advance | A modern remake of the arcade game with new moves |
Which Double Dragon to play first?
Start with the arcade Double Dragon to see where everything began, then grab a friend for Double Dragon II on the NES. If you want the most polished version of the formula, finish with Double Dragon Advance.
Tips
- The elbow strike is your best friend in the arcade games – it hits enemies behind you and is hard to counter.
- Grab, knee, throw. Walk into a dazed enemy to grab them, then knee them repeatedly.
- Take their weapons. Knock an enemy down and the bat, whip or knife is yours.
FAQ
Which Double Dragon is the best?
Double Dragon II - The Revenge (NES) is the fan favorite for co-op, the arcade original is the classic, and Double Dragon Advance on the Game Boy Advance is widely seen as the best modern remake.
Is the NES Double Dragon two player?
The NES Double Dragon story mode is single player; its two-player mode is a one-on-one fighting mode. For co-op on the NES, play Double Dragon II or III.
Is Double Dragon V a beat em up?
No. Double Dragon V - The Shadow Falls is a one-on-one fighting game based on the Double Dragon cartoon.