Double Dragon punches iOS in the gut

Beat-'em-ups are woefully under-represented on the App Store, but one of the genre's earliest classics has arrived to help fill the void. Enter the ... Double Dragon. Aksys Games has released Taito's seminal scrapper in updated form, compliments of developer Brizo Interactive, for an "introductory price" of $3.99 -- steep, yes, but set to increase to $7.99 at an unspecified point.

App Store reviews of the game -- which is ported from the Zeebo platform -- are mixed so far, with most complaints focused on the unnecessarily large (and opaque) "control panel." Still, it's said to be faithful to the original's gameplay and features multiple unlockable characters. See Billy and Jimmy get their clobber on after the break.

Show full PR text

TORRANCE, Calif. - Aksys Games, acclaimed localization studio and leading publisher of interactive entertainment products, in collaboration with Brizo Interactive, announce the release of Double Dragon iPhone, now available through the Apple App Store. The game is an enhanced version of the arcade classic Double Dragon, featuring new art, music, and extras. Connect two iPhones via Bluetooth to engage in multiplayer action.

Story
The Black Warriors have taken Marian hostage, and they present Billy and Jimmy with a grim ultimatum: give up the sacred Sousetsuken scrolls or never see Marian again. Not taking the news lying down, they take to the streets to hunt down the Black Warriors and save her. Equipped with their deadly martial arts prowess and slick street smarts, Billy and Jimmy must carve through an entire army of thugs to see Marian safe again.

Key Features

* Double Dragon for a New Age
Double Dragon iPhone has been completely reborn with new remixed music and all new art and character sprites.

* All New Double Dragon Experience
With new attacks, enemies, bosses, and even achievements and hidden characters to unlock, Double Dragon iPhone is nothing short of a new Double Dragon experience.

* Easy Combo and Control Scheme
With an easy to use on-screen controller and combo system, you'll be ready to take on an entire horde of thugs in no time!

* Bluetooth Multiplayer
Team up with a friend via Bluetooth in Double Dragon Mode and take to the mean streets together.

After the special, limited time, introductory price of $3.99, the game will retail for $7.99 through the Apple App Store.

Double Dragon iPhone has been rated 9+ by the Apple App Store for infrequent/mild profanity or crude humor and frequent/intense cartoon or fantasy violence. Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.1 or later. More information on Double Dragon iPhone can be found at the official website: http://www.bow-mobile.com/double_dragon and at the Apple iTunes page: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/doubledragon/id419495028?mt=8. Find the official Facebook and Twitter pages at http://www.facebook.com/newdoubledragon and http://twitter.com/iDoubleDragon. The Double Dragon series is a copyright trademark of Million Co., Ltd/Brizo Interactive.

About Aksys Games Localization, Inc.
Founded in 2006 in Torrance, California, Aksys Games Localization, Inc. is a localization studio and visionary video game publisher specializing in the Japanese-to-English translation of games and committed to publishing unique, multicultural, high-quality interactive content for all current-generation platforms. The company is known for releasing acclaimed titles such as 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors and the BIT.TRIP, Guilty Gear, BlazBlue, and Hooked: Real Motion Fishing series. More information about Aksys Games and its products can be found on the company's website, www.aksysgames.com.

About Brizo Interactive
Brizo Interactive is the pioneer in the mobile gaming market, contributing to the growth of this industry by bringing genuine games to users across the world. They have created numerous titles, ranging from 3D action games to sports games and even fighting games.

Reader Comments (27)

This looks pretty cool. And yeah, that control panel is massive. Sheesh!

Off topic: I'm probably picking up an OG iPad tomorrow for $400. Are there any good strategy games besides Civ Rev that take advantage of the larger iPad screen? =P

@Ezio Auditore da Firenze

You could get it at deals.woot for like 335. Just trying to help a fellow joystiq'r.

On another note:

JIMMY

@HybridPara

Actually you could get it at the apple store for 350 plus free shipping and warranty. You could spend the remainder on that money on whetstones for your blades, Ezio.

@Ezio Auditore da Firenze $400 would be a good deal for a 32GB, which I managed to snag a few days ago. Can't wait to play all those iPad games I got on sale a few weeks back!

@Ezio Auditore da Firenze

I like how no one here answered your question about other good iPad strategy games. I would say check up on Command and Conquer Red Alert. (I dunno if its good or not it just came up in a quick search) And Plants vs Zombies.

The memories of that movie... T_T

I don't know about them being 'under represented'. They're under-utilized maybe, because they play like crap on a touch screen.

But wait, his name was bimmy in double dragon 3.
.

Technos, not Taito.

@Epoque

I can't vote this up enough. Taito does Space Invaders, not Double Dragon.

Bimmy*

@Soc

B--Bimmy??

Sony and Nintendo should just use a screenshot of this game in its marketing.

The Nintendo DS: Touch pad only used when it makes sense.

The Sony PSP: It has buttons.

What the hell did they do to Jimmy?!

I have it. The reason for the "control panel" is so your fingers don't obscure the action on screen. If you ever loved the original Double Dragon this is the definitive version.

What happened to Bimmy? I mean, sure he's the red-headed stepchild of the family, but still!!!! Show some love for Bimmy!!!!!

Why does the music sound like its being played on a Wow Wee Paper Jamz Guitar?

Best thing about Double Dragon was beating up women. And also, the boss fight with the twins in River City Ransom.

Everyone at touchArcade says the controls and game as a whole are pretty bad...or at least definitely not worth the $3.99 asking price. (And it's on "sale," go figure.)

@C1ph3rDivyne best played with friggin buttons. you want to play a good double dragon game... go hunt down double dragon advance on the GBA.

I played this yesterday and thought it was pretty good. I had my doubts at first and I loved the original Double Dragon game so much that I just had to get this and I'm glad I did. It's fun playing as the other characters once you unlock them as well. The controls aren't that bad either and that's saying something for this kind of game.

I wonder if Bimmy is one of the unlockable characters

if they are going to change one character with that naruto stupid look, at least they should named him Bimmy

Is it me, or does this seem like an "unofficial" version Double Dragon created by some obsessed fan of the series. I'm not saying the game itself is necessarily "bad" (or a shameless port of a third party's IP for some fast cash), but it seems to lack info... like if it was from Taito or anyone for that matter...

It is kind of interesting though, as they seem to have modernized combat a bit, as in things like weapons don't vanish if you carry them beyond a certain point, also the micro cut scenes are mildly entertaining.

That said, I'm doubtful this game will be up for more than a couple days before it gets pulled for some reason. :-/

@Bones3D

I'm pretty sure it's an official release. I love Double Dragon and I buy a shit ton of games on iOS, but I guess most of my memories of DD don't shine through well on this version. The music sounds garbled, the graphics don't remind me of anything, but I'll still probably buy it. :P

It's an official release- Aksys owns the Double Dragon rights now- they took over TradeWest's assets.

Punch to the wallet more like it.

Double Dragon iPhone

Double Dragon punches iOS in the gut

Reader Comments (27)

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 12:03AM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:40AM HybridPara said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:53AM HybridPara said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 2:38AM JohnDM said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 7:31AM TaintedKane said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 12:07AM Ballistic H said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 12:16AM Hoops said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 12:26AM bxgt said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 12:31AM Epoque said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 9:09AM skizomaniak said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 12:46AM Soc said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 12:53AM Beanpie01 said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:06AM FriedConsole said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:26AM TheChezDispenser said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:27AM TheRedComet said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:27AM Trekkie2063 said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:52AM mcnerven said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 2:19AM GuardianLegend said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 2:57AM C1ph3rDivyne said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 10:14AM rahnyc4 said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 3:45AM ManaBurnX said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 6:24AM Startingline13 ArmlessOctopus said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 7:04AM bryoneill11 said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 7:59AM Bones3D said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 10:48AM Chibi Chaingun said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 11:46AM TheRedComet said

Posted: Mar 8th 2011 1:23PM daevv said

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