In Defense of Double Dragon: The E.T. of 2600 Fighting Games

[envytomdead2]

I actually kind of enjoy Double Dragon. I have been making it to the 3rd mission. Once you get the hang of the elbow attack it becomes fun and kind of intense. Trying to catch the enemy in repeated elbow smashes without making a mistake that gives the enemy window to attack gets my blood pumping a bit!

[Torr]

I feel like adding something more.

Since the first post I made in this thread I've been able to play the C64 versions of Double Dragon. (There were two.)

 

Maybe it's just rose colored glasses and nostalgia because I owned it as a kid, but as bad as anyone might say the 2600 version is, I think it's better than these two!!!

 

The C64 may have better graphics/music, but the game play is horrible.

You think the AI in the VCS port is relentless, heh...

Not just that, but the controls (despite the fact you still use a one button stick) are somehow so much worse in comparison.

The hit detection, forget about it.

And I can't remember which version, but in one, every time I PUNCHED a guy he fell down, and I'd have to wait for him to get back up, but be far away, otherwise he'd always land a free hit while getting to his feet... well, beating the first 2 enemies took me about 5 minutes. I probably could have beat the first level in that one with enough patience, but jeez, I imagine beating the game would easily take many hours, especially considering (I assume) that enemies get even more health as the levels progress.

 

I could go on, I love the Double Dragon series, and all I've ever been able to find out about these games over the years were short take reviews, a few short vids, screenshots to judge them by. Then actually being able to play them... such a letdown. I also had a C64 growing up and it DID have some pretty great ports of games of the time... DK Jr, Mario Bros, Spyhunter, Skramble... Hell, even Castlevania (which I never played as a kid but also recently tried) is, well... it's, its... its what I said about the VCS DD, it IS what it IS!, but I'm getting off topic!

I always assumed these versions of Double Dragon (or hell even just one!) must at least be decent, at least a hair above the VCS version. I think I've even conned myself in liking a few shit games in the past just because I always assumed they were so good, I couldn't let my actual experience destroy my fantasy... but not this time...

Nope, suddenly I had a LOT more appreciation for DD on VCS!

Edited February 9, 2019 by Torr

[envytomdead2]

I actually beat 2600 Double Dragon today without losing a life. I've grown to really like this game! It's a steep learning curve but then becomes very fun once you have it down.