DOUBLE DRAGON THRILLING STAGE INTROS 🐉 Neo Geo
107Back in the rad '90s, when arcade cabinets were the kings of cool and side-scrollers were all the rage, Technōs decided to give their "Double Dragon" series one last, wild ride. This time, they were hitching a ride on the one-on-one fighting game train, all while catching a case of "Double Dragon" movie mania. We're talking cheeky nods to the film, like cameo appearances in the intro, and shoutouts to characters like Shugo and mutant-moves Abobo, with the Lee brothers flexing their amulet magic like they're trying to out-Super Saiyan each other.
Gameplay? Think "Street Fighter II," but with a little more pep in its step. Billy and Jimmy got the shoto-style glow-up, slinging energy balls and uppercuts like nobody's business, but with a slicker, quicker twist. The game's got this nifty "charge" move system, where you're building up a blue meter that plays chicken with your health bar. When they collide, boom! You're unleashed with some next-level moves, making the whole thing a high-stakes energy race.
Visually, the game is a total Neo Geo treat. The intro's a blast, mixing up the iconic Double Dragon theme with flashy concept art and some in-your-face fight scenes, all leading up to a grand, dragon-filled reveal of the game's logo. And talk about big personalities - characters like Abobo and Burnov are huge, with the camera zooming out to catch all their glory, Art of Fighting style.
Each stage is like its own little world of mayhem. There's stuff breaking everywhere, from subway cars crashing down in Abobo's sewer to an epic showdown on an airplane wing in Amon's stage - it's like a scene straight out of a Sega Super Scaler game. The fighters even make grand entrances on their home turf, like dojo drop-ins and dramatic leaps from burning buildings.
Alright, so maybe "Double Dragon" in fighting form isn't the deepest dive in game mechanics or a revolution in the fighting genre, but it's a spectacular show of 2D art and sprite magic. It's way more fun than "Double Dragon V," and a blast of nostalgia that's like a love letter to the series, exploding with visual awesomeness. Sure, it might not snag a top spot in the gaming hall of fame, but it's a wild, fun-filled tribute to the days when arcades were the coolest places on earth. 🕹️🐉🎮👊