Beat 'em ups usually die the moment the credits roll. You punch a few hundred punks in denim vests, kick a guy off a motorcycle, save the girl, and then the cartridge gathers dust. That was the loop for decades. But Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons does something different, and honestly, it’s about time. It takes that rigid 1987 arcade DNA and tosses it into a blender with modern roguelite mechanics. The result is weird. It’s chaotic. It’s also probably the most replayable game the franchise has ever seen.
Billy and Jimmy Lee aren't just palette swaps anymore. In this 2023 revival from Secret Base and Modus Games, the brothers feel distinct, but the real magic is that they aren't alone. You’re picking a tag team. Maybe you want the classic Lee brother balance, or maybe you want to stomp through post-apocalyptic New York as Uncle Matin, a riot shield-wielding powerhouse who plays nothing like the martial artists.
The city is a mess. Nuclear war happened, gangs took over, and the mayor is basically begging you to clean up the streets. It sounds like every other 80s action movie, right? Well, the twist is in how you choose your path.
The Mission Select Screen is Secretly a Difficulty Slider
Most players jump into Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons and just pick the first boss they see. Big mistake. The game features a dynamic difficulty system where the order of operations changes everything. If you tackle the Triangle Gang first, their stage is a breezy two-section run. But if you save them for last? That same stage transforms into a grueling four-part marathon with extra sub-bosses and environmental hazards that weren't there before.
It creates this genuine strategic layer. You have to ask yourself: "Do I want to deal with the teleporting ninjas now while they're weak, or risk facing their upgraded forms later so I can grab more cash early on?"
Cash is king here. You aren't just playing for a high score to show off at the local arcade that doesn't exist anymore. You're earning money to buy upgrades between missions. These aren't just "hit harder" buffs. We’re talking about "regenerate health when you KO three enemies with a special move" or "increased walk speed." It turns the game into a constant internal debate. Do I spend my cash on a revive because I’m playing like hot garbage today, or do I save it to convert into tokens at the end of the run?
Why Crowd Control is the Only Stat That Matters
If you're mash-heavy, you’re going to have a bad time. The "Special KO" mechanic is the heart of the gameplay. When you finish off three or more enemies simultaneously with a special move, the game showers you with healing items. Turkey, burgers, the works.
💡 You might also like: Why the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Boss Fights Feel So Different
This isn't just a nod to the classics. It’s a survival requirement.
Because health doesn't regenerate and pickups are scarce, you have to play like a predator. You herd enemies together. You bait them into a corner. Then, you unleash Billy’s whirlwind kick. Seeing "3-Plex" or "4-Plex" pop up on the screen followed by a flying roast chicken is a dopamine hit that never gets old. It forces a more aggressive, thoughtful playstyle than the old "walk right and punch" method.
The Roster is Deeper Than You Think
Early on, you’ve got the core four: Billy, Jimmy, Marian, and Matin. Marian is a total departure for the series. She’s no longer the damsel in distress getting punched in the gut in the opening cinematic. She’s a long-range specialist with a firearm and mines. Playing as her turns the game into a semi-shooter, which sounds like it shouldn't work in a Double Dragon game, but it totally does.
Then there are the unlockables. There are 9 additional characters you can snag using the tokens you earn from successful (or even failed) runs. You can play as the bosses. Ever wanted to play as Abobo and just wreck everything in sight? You can. The variety is staggering for a budget-priced indie title.
Breaking Down the Token Economy
Tokens are the meta-progression currency. You get them by cashing out at the end of a run. The exchange rate is determined by the difficulty modifiers you set before you even start the game. This is where Secret Base really nailed the "modern" feel.
You can tweak everything:
📖 Related: Hollywood Casino Bangor: Why This Maine Gaming Hub is Changing
- Enemy health and aggression.
- The cost of revives.
- Whether or not you lose your upgrades upon death.
- Permadeath (for the brave or the masochistic).
If you make the game incredibly punishing, your cash-to-token ratio skyrockets. If you want a casual romp, you’ll earn fewer tokens. It’s a transparent, fair system that respects your time. You aren't grinding just to grind; you're tailoring the challenge to your specific skill level.
It Isn't Perfect, and That's Okay
Let’s be real for a second. The art style was divisive when it first leaked. Moving away from the gritty pixels of Double Dragon Neon or the classic arcade look to a "squat," chibi-esque aesthetic rubbed some veterans the wrong way. It looks a bit like a high-end mobile game or a Saturday morning cartoon.
But once you see it in motion, the animations are fluid. The hit-stop effects—where the game pauses for a fraction of a second when a big blow lands—give the combat a weight that most 3D beat 'em ups lack.
The soundtrack is another point of contention. It features remixes of the classic Kazunaka Yamane tracks we all know. Some are bangers; others feel a little thin compared to the heavy metal energy of Neon. But the gameplay loop is so tight that you eventually stop worrying about the background music and start focusing on the frame data of Jimmy’s dragon punch.
Technical Nuances for the Hardcore Players
The tag system isn't just for show. You have a blue bar that builds up, allowing you to swap characters mid-combo or use a "Tag Burst" to break out of an enemy's assault. If one character is low on health, you swap them out and let them ride the bench. They’ll slowly recover some of their "gray" health, provided you don't let the active character take too much damage.
It adds a layer of management. You aren't just playing one life; you're juggling two resources. This makes the co-op experience particularly interesting. When playing with a friend, you still have to coordinate your tag-outs so you aren't both left with slivers of health at the same time.
👉 See also: Why the GTA Vice City Hotel Room Still Feels Like Home Twenty Years Later
How to Actually Win Your First Run
Most people fail their first few attempts because they try to save their money. Don't. In the early game, spend your cash on those upgrades. Look specifically for anything that increases your Special Meter gain. The more specials you can throw, the more Special KOs you get. More Special KOs equal more food. More food equals staying alive long enough to actually see the final boss.
Also, prioritize the "Killers" gang (the ones in the neon-lit forest/casino) early. Their boss fight is a nightmare if you leave it until the end of the game when they have extra health and faster attack patterns.
Next Steps for New Players
If you’re just picking up Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, start by jumping into the Crowd Control training. Practice the timing of the Special KOs with Billy Lee first, as his spin kick has the most generous hitboxes for catching multiple enemies.
Once you’ve earned your first 10 tokens, head straight to the Unlockables menu. Don't waste them on art or music yet. Unlock Abobo or Burnov. Having a heavy-hitter in your roster changes the dynamic of the game entirely and makes the tougher "Mission 4" variations much more manageable. Experiment with the difficulty sliders immediately; find that "sweet spot" where you’re challenged but still earning at least 3-5 tokens per run. This is the fastest way to see everything the game has to offer without burning out on the initial grind.