Double Dragon cover art

Game entry

Double Dragon

1987 · Beat 'em up, Fighting, Action-adventure, Arcade · Xbox 360, Arcade · Empire Interactive

Double Dragon holds position no. 1,874 in the world ranking on GameForever, with 1,509 ELO points and 48% of duels won out of 158 played. Against Super Smash Bros. Melee, the opponent it meets most often, the tally stands at 2 wins to 2 losses in 4 duels. Its best standing outside the world ranking: no. 9 out of 27 (1987).

World rank

no. 1,874

ELO score

1,509

Wins

48%

Duels played

158

About Double Dragon

Double Dragon is a 1987 beat 'em up video game developed by Technōs Japan and distributed by Taito for arcades across Asia, North America and Europe. It is the first title in the Double Dragon franchise.

The player character has a repertoire of martial arts techniques which they can perform using the joystick and three action buttons (kick, jump, and punch) individually or in combination. Techniques range from basic punches and kicks to more elaborate manoeuvres like hair-grabbing moves and elbow strikes. When playing with another player, one can assist the other by grabbing their partner's opponent from behind. Caution should be taken, though, as some enemies can do the same thing to the players. The player begins the game with a certain number of extra lives and a life gauge which depletes as the player takes hits. If the life gauge runs out or the time limit reaches zero, the player will lose a life.

There is a small variety of enemy characters that the player will face through the course of the game. Certain enemies carry melee weapons, which can be knocked out of their hands and picked up to use against them. Available weapons include baseball bats, whips, throwing knives, and dynamite; in addition, rocks, oil drums, and boxes can be found in certain places.

The game is divided into four stages or "missions," consisting of a city slum, a factory, the woods, and the gang's hideout. The game normally ends if a single player defeats the final boss alone. However, if two players complete the game together, they are forced to fight each other to determine who will win Marian's affections.

ELO progression

Score moved from 1,500 to 1,509 ELO points over the last 170 days.

Head-to-head

Direct record on the most played match-ups.

In the same genre

All Beat 'em up games →
  1. 69 Devil May Cry 52019 · Beat 'em up 1,853
  2. 96 Streets of Rage 21992 · Beat 'em up 1,839
  3. 104 God of War III2010 · Beat 'em up 1,833
  4. 113 Bayonetta2009 · Beat 'em up 1,827
  5. 140 God of War II2007 · Beat 'em up 1,812

Keep exploring

The standing

Where Double Dragon ranks

The world rank mixes every family of games. Here is where Double Dragon stands in each of the ones it belongs to. Its best standing, all families considered: 9 out of 27 (1987).

Where Double Dragon ranks
Ranking Position Games competing
World ranking 1,874 5,035
Beat 'em up 58 163
1980s 42 155
1987 9 27

The community

The debate

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