1988-10-01
Double Dragon on the Master System is the most faithful 8-bit port of Technos' classic brawler. Unlike the NES version, it has two-player support, features up to three simultaneous enemies of varying types, and omits the platforming sections. However, it's missing the backwards jump kick and grabs are very glitchy.
This game's continue system is weird: you have unlimited continues for the first three stages, and then zero continues for the final stage. Therefore, it's a good idea to kill yourself before the final stage so you have as many lives as possible. Like many Master System games, this port was actually developed and published by Sega themselves. This is because Nintendo had a near-monopoly on 8-bit developers so Sega had to put in their own work to succeed.
Double Dragon on the Master System tries too hard to emulate the arcade version. Although it has more onscreen enemies than the NES version, its combat feels off. Worst of all, the hair-pull attack rarely works. The graphics and sound aren't the best, either, but they're decent for the SMS. Strangely, you get unlimited continues before the final stage only.
