Double Dragon II: The Revenge (1989-)

• Developer: Technos Japan

• Publisher: Technos Japan | Acclaim

• Genre: Beat 'Em Up

• Composer: Kazunaka Yamane

Double Dragon II: The Revenge for the Nintendo Entertainment System was developed by Technōs Japan and released in North America in 1990, published by Acclaim under their Tradewest label. It served as the direct follow-up to the original Double Dragon, which had been a major success both in arcades and on the NES. While based on the 1988 arcade game of the same name, the NES version introduced its own level layouts, gameplay refinements, and story adjustments. The plot picks up after the events of the first game, with Billy and Jimmy Lee seeking vengeance against a revived Black Warriors gang after the cold-blooded murder of Marian. The NES version also saw release on the Famicom in Japan, and other adaptations of the game appeared on home computers and later compilations.

The gameplay expanded on its predecessor by reintroducing true two-player cooperative play, something absent in the first NES game but present in the arcade original. Combat mechanics were altered, using a directional attack system where buttons performed punches or kicks depending on the character’s facing direction. Players could employ a variety of moves, including flying knee strikes, spinning cyclone kicks, and grabs, which added tactical variety. Stages mixed brawler segments with light platforming, traps, and environmental hazards, keeping the pacing varied. The game’s inspiration remained rooted in martial arts cinema and the arcade beat ’em up formula but showed an evolution in complexity and co-op experience.

The soundtrack, again composed by Kazunaka Yamane, delivered high-energy and memorable themes that reinforced the tension of urban street battles and dramatic boss encounters. Each stage had a distinct track, from the pounding momentum of city brawls to the more suspenseful melodies used in later missions. The NES sound chip was used effectively to provide layered melodies and driving rhythms, while the sound effects gave weight to attacks, weapons, and environmental interactions. The music’s intensity matched the game’s more revenge-driven tone, giving it a slightly darker atmosphere than its predecessor.

Double Dragon II: The Revenge was marketed as a bigger, better, and more faithful adaptation of the arcade experience, with advertisements and magazine features highlighting its cooperative play and expanded move set. The reception was largely positive, with critics praising its improved combat depth, return of two-player mode, and overall challenge, though some noted that the controls required adjustment due to the directional attack system. The game’s success cemented the franchise’s popularity on the NES and paved the way for Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones in 1991, which introduced even more advanced combat mechanics and a globe-trotting story. Over time, Double Dragon II has been remembered as one of the strongest entries in the series and a standout cooperative brawler of its era.

Images from MobyGames