Nintendo Entertainment System · Beat 'em Up
Double Dragon
Co-op
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | Beat 'em Up |
| Developer | Technos Japan Corp. |
| Publisher | Tradewest |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Double Dragon |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 8 |
Double Dragon is a beat 'em up released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Technos Japan Corp. and published by Tradewest. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II. Among the 20 NES beat 'em ups in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.
It is part of the Double Dragon series; on the NES you can also try Battletoads & Double Dragon, Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones and Double Dragon II: The Revenge. The series also appears on other systems with Double Dragon (2600) and Double Dragon (Master System). Technos Japan Corp. also made Nintendo World Cup, River City Ransom and Nekketsu Street Basket: Ganbare Dunk Heroes for the 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
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
162 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Freeze The Timer Countdown | AAUNYLPA |
|---|---|
| Start Game With 1 Life | AEUTLZZA |
| Start Game With 6 Lives | IEUTLZZA |
| Start Game With 9 Lives | AEUTLZZE |
| More Energy For Player 2 Or The CPU | XTKNXEZK |
| More Energy For Player 1 | XTKYOEZK |
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
Renegade Deep cut
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Double Dragon FAQ
When did Double Dragon come out on the NES?
Double Dragon was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made Double Dragon?
It was developed by Technos Japan Corp. and published by Tradewest.
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.