Black Belt Classic
Sega Master System · Beat 'em Up / Action
Double Dragon
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Sega Master System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Beat 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Arc System Works |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| 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 Sega Master System in 1988, Double Dragon is a beat 'em up developed by Arc System Works and published by SEGA. It blends beat 'em up and action elements.
It landed about 2 years into the Master System's life. Other notable Master System releases from 1988 include R-Type, Shinobi and Wonder Boy in Monster Land. Among the 10 Master System beat 'em ups in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Double Dragon series. The series also appears on other systems with Double Dragon (2600) 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 Master System'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 cheats & codes
16 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives P1 | 00CB-2B09 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Health P1 | 00CB-2A55 |
| Infinite Lives P2 | 00CB-6B09 |
| Infinite Energy P2 | 00CB-6A55 |
| Level Select | 00C1-100? |
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
Golden Axe Classic Co-op
Streets of Rage 2 Co-op
Alien Storm Deep cut
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker Classic Co-op
Playing Master System games today
The Master System library is full of colorful arcade-style games that are easy to pick up. Many titles also appear in Sega's official compilations.
Double Dragon FAQ
When did Double Dragon come out on the Master System?
Double Dragon was released for the Sega Master System in 1988.
Who made Double Dragon?
It was developed by Arc System Works and published by SEGA.
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.