Double Dragon Advance

PRESS START

An Introduction To Today’s Game

The arcade version of Double Dragon remains one of my favorite games ever. Friday nights as a kid meant Tony’s Pizza with my dad, his friends, and Double Dragon, one of the seven arcade machines the pizzeria had.

But sometimes the best version of a classic game is not the one you remember. The Game Boy Advance had a knack for taking beloved franchises and giving them surprisingly faithful portable makeovers, but Double Dragon Advance went beyond a simple port.

Released in 2003 by Atlus, this remake took everything great about the 1987 arcade original and added moves from the sequels, weapons from across the series, and even stages inspired by Super Double Dragon.

The result is a game that feels like a greatest hits compilation squeezed into one cartridge. Designed by Muneki Ebinuma, a former Technōs employee who worked on the series, Double Dragon Advance was a love letter to the franchise and is the main game in the series I keep coming back to.

BEHIND THE PIXELS

Let’s Dive Into The Game

Double Dragon Advance is a side-scrolling beat 'em up where you control martial artist Billy Lee, or his twin brother Jimmy Lee, fighting through waves of the Shadow Warriors gang to rescue Billy's girlfriend Marian.

The premise is pure 1980s arcade simplicity, set in a post-apocalyptic world where nuclear war left cities in ruins and gangs rule the streets. You punch, kick, and weapon your way through eight stages, from city streets to a moving truck, caverns, and a fortress.

What makes this game special is the combat system. Unlike the original arcade game's limited moveset, Advance gives you around 20 different techniques right from the start.

You've got the classic spin kick, elbow smashes, and throws, plus additions like the Hyper Uppercut and High Jump Kick borrowed from Double Dragon II.

There's a dash move that opens up new attack combinations, a counter block for defensive play, and even the ability to pull off juggle combos. The controls feel responsive, a massive improvement over the sluggish NES ports that defined many childhoods.

Weapons play a big role. Bats, knives, nunchucks, kali sticks, whips, dynamite, and axes all make appearances.

Grabbing a weapon changes your strategy, and knowing when to pick one up versus relying on hand to hand combat adds tactical depth. You'll face familiar enemies like the massive Abobo, whip wielding Linda Lash, and street thugs.

New additions include martial artists with rapid fire punches, Matrix style agents in black suits who adjust their ties between beatdowns, and kali stick wielding monks.

The game supports single player, local co-op via Game Link Cable, and a unique mode where you can switch between both Lee brothers on the fly.

There's also a survival mode for extended play. The graphics are colorful and detailed for GBA hardware, with remixed versions of the iconic Double Dragon soundtrack that sound excellent through the handheld's speakers.

The game moves at a brisk pace without the slowdown that plagued the original arcade version.

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GAME INFORMATION

WHERE TO PLAY

• The game is available digitally for $6.99 on all platforms.

• Part of the Double Dragon Collection, featuring this and 5 other games in the series.

• Original Copies of the Game (All prices in USD)

  • Loose: $40

  • Complete: $210

  • New/Sealed: $280

COVER ART

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GAME OVER

Why You Should Play This

Here's the truth about Double Dragon Advance: it's short. You can beat it in a few hours, maybe less if you're experienced with beat 'em ups.

There's no save system, so you're playing through in one session or relying on passwords. These are legitimate criticisms, especially if you're paying full price for a modern re-release.

But here's the other truth: the game is incredibly fun while it lasts. The expanded moveset gives you options to experiment with, the difficulty settings provide a real challenge on Expert mode, and the sheer variety of enemies and weapons keeps each playthrough fresh. It's accessible enough for newcomers but deep enough to reward skilled players.

If you're someone who needs dozens of hours from every game, this might not satisfy that itch. But if you appreciate tight, focused arcade action that respects your time, Double Dragon Advance delivers.

It's the rare remake that improves on the original in almost every way. Plus, with modern re-releases available on every platform, there's never been an easier time to experience what many consider the definitive Double Dragon game.

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RETRO HARDWARE

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