I remember when I first got this game. I was happy I could play it at home on my 7800 and I did learn it enough to beat it. I don't know you're aware there is a nice visual hack of the game that makes the character sprites better and the backgrounds are colored more like the arcade game. It's on Atari Age. Worth checking out.
I had this in the day and beat it several times. I do still have it along with the dreaded 2600 version.lol back then I was grateful as I didn't have any other system. Us kids were one console players back then and back then I only had the 7800. It wasn't till many years later as I collected more systems did I realise what a weak port it over all was. But as I said, back in 87'-88' I was glad to have it. Good times and memories.
@@kevinstrade2752 I can honestly say that during my time with the 7800 I never considered any of these games bad. Video games were fun and I had fun playing them. Anytime I wasn't able to do something or complete something, I assumed the problem was with me and not the game. I was a stupid kid what can I say. But all that to say that you're right. I don't think kids can put themselves in our mind set from back then. Good comment thanks for watching!
I started gaming in 1986 with the Nes and Master System. I had Double Dragon for both consoles as they were so different from one anonymous. For a time, the belt scrolling beat em up was my favorite genre. I still love it today and enjoy playing them whenever I can. Having said that.... I never had a single Atari anything until buying a Jaguar for Doom in 1994. Today, we (fiancee and I) have every console from a 1984 test launch 7800 through the Xbox Series X and PS5. Speaking of the 7800... I don't understand why Double Dragon looks like it does on Atari's 3rd generation hardware. It has the capability to go well beyond this, but it seldom happened. Look at Commando as an example of what it could really do with the right amount of effort. Was it money? Was it time? An amalgamation of both? Addendum- I know about the Pokey Chip. I am only referring to the graphics, gameplay, mechanics, npc tactics, and playability. Oh, and I hate the 7800's American controllers. They should have packed the Euro controller with every console.
I first played the arcade version with a friend in a bowling alley. I also had Double Dragon on the NES. So it’s nice to get a look at it on the 7800. But I definitely feel this version is lacking.
Old-school gamer here, starting with the Atari 2600 to the present day. I read all the big Gaming magazines back then too. I never once heard the term "belt scroller" used to describe a game till about 2019. Everybody and their grandma referred to it as a "side-scroller".
"Belt Scroller" is actually a term that comes from what they were calling these games in Japan in the 80s and early 90s. What happened is you have some gamers who may have known that term and then they mention it on the internet like "shmups" which NEVER existed as a term back then because the space shooters were called space shooters of shooting games and shoot em ups (after beat em ups term became a thing) Meanwhile in Japan the space shooters and other military vehicle weapon shooters were called S.T.G. or "Shooting Games"
I never had this one as a kid, but I have beat it before. As a kid, I had the 2600 version, and my step-brother had the NES one. Once we figured out the NES Double Dragon did not have a two-player co-op, it was never touched again, while the 2600 version got plenty of play.
Not having 2 player co-opt defeats the entire purpose of "Double" Dragon. The NES dropped the ball on this classic. The SMS version is by far the best 8-bit version. Impressive the Atari 2600 had Double Dragon but it needed a 2 button controller. This was possible as seen in Raiders of the lost Arc which required 2 buttons by using both joysticks. With games like Double Dragon and the later sports games its a shame the 2600 never developed a 2 button controller like the 7800.
I don’t hate this game. People say it’s too difficult, but honestly, I never have an issue with the combat, it’s just about making sure you are slightly above your enemy before you drop down and start into your kicks or punches. I wish the music were better but the sound effects are fine and the graphics aren’t horrible.
I like this version but I also like the 2600 version as well. Double Dragon for the SMS is the one I actually played the most so it's probably my favorite. The SMS is hard as hell without the continues. I don't think I ever beat it only using 3 lives. You game the system in the 7800 but at least you can beat it on 3 lives.
Double Dragon 7800 is my favorite game to use as an example of the epic Tramiel cheapness going on at Atari at the time lol Agree with you on the fighting in this version, it feels like you are just looking for the best way of gaming it to win. Good review :)
Aw man, I was hoping you'd cover the upgraded sprite hack that came out a few years back. At this point, that version is the only one we should be paying attention to. Same goes for Rampage. Also that car isn't a Camaro. It's a Firebird Trans Am, the same one from the laser disc game Road Blaster (not to be confused with Roadblasters by Atari). So I guess in Road Blaster you're playing as one of the Lees. Speaking of Atari's RoadBlasters, with all the collections and recharged versions of their arcade games that have come out recently, why hasn't this one been revisited? It was one of my faves!
The Sega Master System is my favorite Double Dragon. The NES dropped the ball not having 2 player co-opt. Thats why the game is named Double Dragon in the 1st place. The Atari 7800 version was capable of better graphics than what we got but having 2 player mode holds alot of weight so ill rank it 2nd behind the SMS version👍
On double dragon 7800, and 2600 i dont blame trameill i blame activison on there crappy port. Look at the master system port sega handled it themselves. I believe if the atari programmers handled it i think it would looked better. Great video as always.🎉🎉🎉
Not sure which version of the first game is my favourite, the NES version is the one I have the most experience with. Double Dragon 2 though my favourite is the PC-Engine version. It builds off of the great NES port, adds and extends levels, has CD Audio soundtrack, animated cut scenes (in Japanese but still fun to watch).
Great review! You explained your points very well. I had heard from various people that this is a very bad game. While you also graded it as bad, I appreciate you staying away from hyperbole and laying out your points in a rational manner. I've yet to play DD on the 7800 (I bought a CIB copy a few years ago). Back in the day, I didn't put too many quarters into this type of game. They always felt like it was designed to drain quarters, and I only had a precious few. So far, the most time I spent with this genre has been with Streets of Rage 2 on the Genesis. I played maybe an hour. The music was simply epic.
The fact that this was more faithful to the arcade over the nes was a huge let down back in the day. The nes version was such a huge pile of crap. I remember getting it thinking it would be somewhat close to the arcade. My 10 year old self tried to like it. I had this version, the nes and the 2600.
I was a bit surprised about the rating of this game , I thought you will be giving 3 joystick , you have been less harsh on game that in my opinion was not as good as this one but I understand it , true the sprites are not great and they should have done better, unless you’re a collector its not worth it to pay 125$ for this game , Atari should release it again , I didn’t play this game often but its true that the game is hard , thanks for ghe review Jon
I'd have to agree with his rating on this game. It's not a total loss but it's certainly not good considering the competition at the time. Abobo, Linda, and the Shadow Boss are the only distinctive characters in this version, the others are just color swaps of Billy Lee. Some moves are missing (like the grab and throw move) and you can't knock enemies off cliffs nor will they voluntarily fall off, yet you can fall off. Many weapons are missing from this version. You can fight your partner on 2 player mode. On the bright side it retailed for only $24.95. There's a glitch in this version that makes it a bit easier. Grab the knife but don't throw it. Your kicks are now worth 500 points and cause as much damage to the enemies as throwing the knife at them which eliminates them much quicker.
Well for me that version is like much better than the master system version is more easy to beat. I remember my father bought me that one in sears catalog. I really enjoyed that version for me was much better also than the nes the stages are much more like the arcade. And the Genesis version also
Developed by Imagineering. No wonder why these Atari ports suck. Though they did a decent job porting Ikari Warriors to the 7800, though the 2600 port should’ve never been tried.
Lazy port. The 7800 could do a far superior verision of this game. A Pokey chip rendition of the title screen and first levek is somewhere on YT, so it could have sounded much better than thie originsl 7800 port. The 7800 could match the arcade's on-screen enemies without any sprite flicker. It could have been the best 8-bit console port.
Objectively, its just not a good version of the game. The controls are stiff and the game can be fudged by using one move throughout. The enemy AI is also not well refined. I have this one boxed and complete, but I'd always recommend others to emulate it if they really want to play it. 😅
I remember when I first got this game. I was happy I could play it at home on my 7800 and I did learn it enough to beat it. I don't know you're aware there is a nice visual hack of the game that makes the character sprites better and the backgrounds are colored more like the arcade game. It's on Atari Age. Worth checking out.
I had this in the day and beat it several times. I do still have it along with the dreaded 2600 version.lol back then I was grateful as I didn't have any other system. Us kids were one console players back then and back then I only had the 7800. It wasn't till many years later as I collected more systems did I realise what a weak port it over all was. But as I said, back in 87'-88' I was glad to have it. Good times and memories.
@@kevinstrade2752 I can honestly say that during my time with the 7800 I never considered any of these games bad. Video games were fun and I had fun playing them. Anytime I wasn't able to do something or complete something, I assumed the problem was with me and not the game. I was a stupid kid what can I say.
But all that to say that you're right. I don't think kids can put themselves in our mind set from back then. Good comment thanks for watching!
I started gaming in 1986 with the Nes and Master System. I had Double Dragon for both consoles as they were so different from one anonymous. For a time, the belt scrolling beat em up was my favorite genre. I still love it today and enjoy playing them whenever I can. Having said that....
I never had a single Atari anything until buying a Jaguar for Doom in 1994. Today, we (fiancee and I) have every console from a 1984 test launch 7800 through the Xbox Series X and PS5. Speaking of the 7800... I don't understand why Double Dragon looks like it does on Atari's 3rd generation hardware. It has the capability to go well beyond this, but it seldom happened. Look at Commando as an example of what it could really do with the right amount of effort. Was it money? Was it time? An amalgamation of both?
Addendum- I know about the Pokey Chip. I am only referring to the graphics, gameplay, mechanics, npc tactics, and playability. Oh, and I hate the 7800's American controllers. They should have packed the Euro controller with every console.
I first played the arcade version with a friend in a bowling alley. I also had Double Dragon on the NES. So it’s nice to get a look at it on the 7800. But I definitely feel this version is lacking.
Old-school gamer here, starting with the Atari 2600 to the present day. I read all the big Gaming magazines back then too. I never once heard the term "belt scroller" used to describe a game till about 2019. Everybody and their grandma referred to it as a "side-scroller".
same for me
"Belt Scroller" is actually a term that comes from what they were calling these games in Japan in the 80s and early 90s.
What happened is you have some gamers who may have known that term and then they mention it on the internet like "shmups" which NEVER existed as a term back then because the space shooters were called space shooters of shooting games and shoot em ups (after beat em ups term became a thing)
Meanwhile in Japan the space shooters and other military vehicle weapon shooters were called S.T.G. or "Shooting Games"
I spent enough on the 7800 cart to say i love it!
@@ObsidianContraption lol awesome comment
I never had this one as a kid, but I have beat it before. As a kid, I had the 2600 version, and my step-brother had the NES one. Once we figured out the NES Double Dragon did not have a two-player co-op, it was never touched again, while the 2600 version got plenty of play.
@@jeremiahthomas8140 oh wow that's an awesome anecdote!
Not having 2 player co-opt defeats the entire purpose of "Double" Dragon. The NES dropped the ball on this classic. The SMS version is by far the best 8-bit version. Impressive the Atari 2600 had Double Dragon but it needed a 2 button controller. This was possible as seen in Raiders of the lost Arc which required 2 buttons by using both joysticks. With games like Double Dragon and the later sports games its a shame the 2600 never developed a 2 button controller like the 7800.
I don’t hate this game. People say it’s too difficult, but honestly, I never have an issue with the combat, it’s just about making sure you are slightly above your enemy before you drop down and start into your kicks or punches. I wish the music were better but the sound effects are fine and the graphics aren’t horrible.
Great review of a flawed but still somewhat fun game!
I like this version but I also like the 2600 version as well. Double Dragon for the SMS is the one I actually played the most so it's probably my favorite. The SMS is hard as hell without the continues. I don't think I ever beat it only using 3 lives. You game the system in the 7800 but at least you can beat it on 3 lives.
Double Dragon 7800 is my favorite game to use as an example of the epic Tramiel cheapness going on at Atari at the time lol
Agree with you on the fighting in this version, it feels like you are just looking for the best way of gaming it to win. Good review :)
@@KrunchyTheClown78 oh Tramiel was an unapologetic cheapskate. The 7800 should've been so much more.
Glad you enjoyed the review!
Aw man, I was hoping you'd cover the upgraded sprite hack that came out a few years back. At this point, that version is the only one we should be paying attention to. Same goes for Rampage. Also that car isn't a Camaro. It's a Firebird Trans Am, the same one from the laser disc game Road Blaster (not to be confused with Roadblasters by Atari). So I guess in Road Blaster you're playing as one of the Lees. Speaking of Atari's RoadBlasters, with all the collections and recharged versions of their arcade games that have come out recently, why hasn't this one been revisited? It was one of my faves!
@@pacbilly th-cam.com/video/69Bbxk0exPc/w-d-xo.html
The Sega Master System is my favorite Double Dragon. The NES dropped the ball not having 2 player co-opt. Thats why the game is named Double Dragon in the 1st place. The Atari 7800 version was capable of better graphics than what we got but having 2 player mode holds alot of weight so ill rank it 2nd behind the SMS version👍
On double dragon 7800, and 2600 i dont blame trameill i blame activison on there crappy port.
Look at the master system port sega handled it themselves. I believe if the atari programmers handled it i think it would looked better.
Great video as always.🎉🎉🎉
Not sure which version of the first game is my favourite, the NES version is the one I have the most experience with.
Double Dragon 2 though my favourite is the PC-Engine version. It builds off of the great NES port, adds and extends levels, has CD Audio soundtrack, animated cut scenes (in Japanese but still fun to watch).
Great review! You explained your points very well. I had heard from various people that this is a very bad game. While you also graded it as bad, I appreciate you staying away from hyperbole and laying out your points in a rational manner.
I've yet to play DD on the 7800 (I bought a CIB copy a few years ago). Back in the day, I didn't put too many quarters into this type of game. They always felt like it was designed to drain quarters, and I only had a precious few.
So far, the most time I spent with this genre has been with Streets of Rage 2 on the Genesis. I played maybe an hour. The music was simply epic.
I felt that way about games like Afterburner and Outrun, I would never put quarters in those back in the day
Jimmy and Billy Lee? Don't you mean Jimmy and bimmy? 😂
Good old Bimmy!
Please consider a secondary review of the KevinMos3 sprite modded version of this game, which smoothes over some of the crunchiness.
@@AB-ro5uz done and done! It's already on the channel I looked at it a month or two ago!
@@AB-ro5uz th-cam.com/video/69Bbxk0exPc/w-d-xo.html
This is way better than the c64 version I played on.
Thank you.
The fact that this was more faithful to the arcade over the nes was a huge let down back in the day. The nes version was such a huge pile of crap. I remember getting it thinking it would be somewhat close to the arcade. My 10 year old self tried to like it. I had this version, the nes and the 2600.
Cool 😎
An improvement to the Atari 2600 port but still pale in comparison with the Arcade original and heck, the Zeebo port too.
NES was my favorite DD
I wonder what could be accomplished today if someone tried to port it?
Wild if the Atari 7800 is more powerful system. Why did the NES DD look better ? I played the Sega Master system version as a kid
I had the NES version & I loved it! You should try out the Sega Genesis version it's very good too!
That looks so much fun 😊
I love the gfx and hate the sound on the 7800 version :D
I was a bit surprised about the rating of this game , I thought you will be giving 3 joystick , you have been less harsh on game that in my opinion was not as good as this one but I understand it , true the sprites are not great and they should have done better, unless you’re a collector its not worth it to pay 125$ for this game , Atari should release it again , I didn’t play this game often but its true that the game is hard , thanks for ghe review Jon
I'd have to agree with his rating on this game. It's not a total loss but it's certainly not good considering the competition at the time. Abobo, Linda, and the Shadow Boss are the only distinctive characters in this version, the others are just color swaps of Billy Lee. Some moves are missing (like the grab and throw move) and you can't knock enemies off cliffs nor will they voluntarily fall off, yet you can fall off. Many weapons are missing from this version. You can fight your partner on 2 player mode. On the bright side it retailed for only $24.95.
There's a glitch in this version that makes it a bit easier. Grab the knife but don't throw it. Your kicks are now worth 500 points and cause as much damage to the enemies as throwing the knife at them which eliminates them much quicker.
Well for me that version is like much better than the master system version is more easy to beat. I remember my father bought me that one in sears catalog. I really enjoyed that version for me was much better also than the nes the stages are much more like the arcade. And the Genesis version also
$100+ for DD on 7800? This market is creeping closer to a major bubble burst. DOW just lost half a trillion in 2 days.
Developed by Imagineering. No wonder why these Atari ports suck. Though they did a decent job porting Ikari Warriors to the 7800, though the 2600 port should’ve never been tried.
I really didn't enjoy the Atari 7800 version. I did enjoy the Genesis version.
If only the character sprites were as good as the backgrounds. Unfortunately Billy and Jimmy look weak like a Bimmy and Jilly.
🎉
🥇
@@braillynn 🎊🎊🎈🎂🎈🎊🎊
The sprite work is terrible, was it a hardware limitation or just bad sprite design?
Lazy port.
The 7800 could do a far superior verision of this game.
A Pokey chip rendition of the title screen and first levek is somewhere on YT, so it could have sounded much better than thie originsl 7800 port.
The 7800 could match the arcade's on-screen enemies without any sprite flicker.
It could have been the best 8-bit console port.
Objectively, its just not a good version of the game. The controls are stiff and the game can be fudged by using one move throughout. The enemy AI is also not well refined.
I have this one boxed and complete, but I'd always recommend others to emulate it if they really want to play it. 😅
The enemy AI is similar to Super Double Dragon on SNES.
Sms!
This looks and sounds absolutely horrible compared to the Nes version!
It looks ugly for a console that can have more colors than the NES.