Atari 2600 · Beat 'em Up
Double Dragon
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Beat 'em Up |
| Developer | Technos Japan Corp. |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Double Dragon |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 22 |
Released for the Atari 2600 in 1988, Double Dragon is a beat 'em up developed by Technos Japan Corp. and published by Activision.
It landed about 11 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1988 include Super Football.
It is part of the Double Dragon series. The series also appears on other systems with Double Dragon (Master System) and Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES).
Double Dragon supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the 2600's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want depth and variety over simple, satisfying brawling
What playing Double Dragon is like
Beat 'em ups send you down scrolling streets fighting waves of thugs with punches, kicks, throws and grabbed weapons. Most can be finished in a single sitting and shine with a second player.
Tip for newcomers: Avoid getting surrounded: keep enemies on one side of you and save your special attacks for crowds. Bring a friend if the game supports co-op.
Double Dragon walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Double Dragon.
If you like Double Dragon, the Matrix also picks…
Double Dragon II: The Revenge Deep cut
River City Ransom Classic Co-op
Golden Axe Classic Co-op
Streets of Rage Classic Co-op
Playing 2600 games today
Most 2600 games are built for short, score-chasing sessions, which makes them perfect for a quick nostalgia hit. Original hardware is cheap and plentiful, the Atari 2600+ reissue plays original cartridges on modern TVs, and official collections such as Atari 50 bundle many first-party classics.
Double Dragon FAQ
When did Double Dragon come out on the 2600?
Double Dragon was released for the Atari 2600 in 1988.
Who made Double Dragon?
It was developed by Technos Japan Corp. and published by Activision.
Is Double Dragon multiplayer?
Yes. Double Dragon supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Double Dragon take to play?
As a beat 'em up, Double Dragon typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Double Dragon on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.