Double Dragon
Double Dragon is a 1987 beat 'em up developed by Technos Japan and a foundational title for the side-scrolling brawler genre. Players take on the role of martial artist Billy Lee, or team up as brothers Billy and Jimmy, to fight through city streets, factories, and enemy hideouts to rescue the kidnapped Marian from the Black Warriors gang.
The game popularised cooperative two-player brawling, a varied moveset of punches, kicks, throws, elbow strikes, and a signature spinning kick unlocked as players earned experience, and the ability to grab and use enemy weapons like bats, whips, knives, and dynamite. Its progression through distinct urban environments and its recurring enemies set a template that countless later beat 'em ups would follow, while the arcade original famously ended with the two brothers dueling each other over Marian.
Double Dragon became a hugely influential franchise with many sequels and adaptations. The original remains accessible through retro compilations and re-releases, and its co-op action still holds up as a genre landmark.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Double Dragon, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge | € 24,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| River City Girls Indie | € 29,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Streets of Rage 4 | € 24,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons | € 24,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
€ 24,99A six-player arcade beat 'em up that nails the exact feel of the 1980s cabinets.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge runs on PC, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac.
River City Girls Indie
€ 29,99An indie beat 'em up set in the same universe as Double Dragon with modern flair.
River City Girls runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Streets of Rage 4
€ 24,99A gorgeous modern beat 'em up that carries the co-op brawling torch with hand-drawn art.
Streets of Rage 4 runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons
€ 24,99The official modern Double Dragon, with tag-team characters and roguelite stage selection.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
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