Super Double Dragon (SNES) Playthrough – NintendoComplete

A playthrough of Tradewest’s 1992 beat ’em up for the Super Nintendo, Super Double Dragon.

Super Double Dragon, Technos’ final main-line entry in their acclaimed Double Dragon series, was released toward the end of 1992 to a fair amount of praise. It wasn’t regarded quite as highly as the first two games on the NES, but It was looked at as a return to form after the middling Double Dragon III: The Rosetta Stone thanks to Technos handling development once again.

Unfortunately, it never hit the same peak as the earlier games did because it was rushed beyond all belief. There aren’t any in-game cutscenes, the ending is a black-and-white text scroll, levels were missing… there were a number of things that probably would’ve been better if Technos had a bit more time to finish it, which makes how well it came out all the more shocking. Some of those things were fixed in the Japanese version, though, making it a better game.

You can find my playthrough of the Japanese version here:

I *really* loved Super Double Dragon way back, and I’m still very fond of it. In my opinion, it’s one of the better beat ’em ups on the SNES. You get a variety of new moves over the ones from the old games, including the addition of the dragon power bar – when you hold down a shoulder button it begins to fill, and the move that results is a direct reflexion of the charge level. It’s a neat mechanic that allows for a bit more thought and strategy, especially since those moves are the fastest way to stun an enemy so that you can grab onto them and pummel or throw them.

The graphics are pretty nice. They aren’t the best you’ll see on the SNES- not by a long shot – but there are some really cool backgrounds (I really liked the lit-up first stage and the airport runway) and even a few environmental objects (like punching bags) that you can knock about for crowd control. The music is about the same – the tunes are great and the classic DD theme is here, but the weak, tinny samples don’t do them justice.

The controls are excellent – even though every button has a function, they’re mapped pretty intuitively and allow you a great deal of control over your combos. It’s not a game where you can just wail on the punch button and watch everyone around fall. It does run awfully slowly, though, and while this allows you more time to consider what you’re doing, the sedate pace does make it a bit less exciting than I’d have liked it to have been.

Either way, even with its flaws, Super Double Dragon is a super-solid game that could have been much better, but is still well above average as it is. It’s not as bombastic nor as engaging as Streets of Rage 2 or Final Fight, but it’s still one helluva enjoyable game.

___
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.

NintendoComplete () punches you in the face with in-depth reviews, screenshot archives, and music from classic 8-bit NES games!

Visit for the latest updates!

140 Comments

  1. i was that extra kid who could watch but never play the game lol

  2. Greatest game ever man. Thank you dad for playing with me as a kid!

  3. Love how the airport security isn't concerned that there are psychos murdering each other and bringing BOMBS and swords to the airport…They must have their hands full of some uppity Karen or something.

  4. Dear Nintendo,

    I hope you're listening, because I would LOVE to have this game released on the SNES – Nintendo Switch Online service. Ideal for online 2-player co-op!

  5. When u have an opponent by his hair n a duelist behind u,u can backwards kick the duelist.

  6. cara,que jogasso,muito bem feito,muito completo,defesas e combinaçao de golpes!

  7. i say return of the double dragon is much better then this version where hurricane kick gives multi hits or even kill the enemy

  8. I was so happy that I chose this as my first Super NES game. Absolutely great beat em up !!!!

  9. Man… they really, uh, phoned in that ending, huh?

  10. So this snes version is much more better than the megadrive version?

  11. Mine does not start with the same music on stage 1, is this the japanese version?

  12. Whenever you read this Nintendo, drop it to Switch Online

  13. Back on the soundtrack was almost as just as important as the game

  14. My bro was nice with the stick and not get hit, I needed the nunchucks.

  15. Billy And Jimmy Lee Are At It Again In SUPER DOUBLE DRAGON!
    The Super Nintendo Hit From Tradewest!
    BY THE POWER OF THE DRAGON!

  16. This bring back so many memories

  17. That's probably the best classic Double Dragon game on any system and I think it's quite funny if you get used to the mechanics, but I never really liked it. Maybe because it's so different, slow and "real" compared to other brawlers. I love the fast action in Final Fight or Streets of Rage games f.e.!

  18. Boo, the main theme of the game isn't even the Double Dragon theme and instead we get some generic sounding music for the title screen and final stage. The Double Dragon theme is instead used for Mission 5.

  19. I also used to play this game ALOT with my brother back when we were 10 yrs old, loved this game so much probably finished it 30 times ! ❤

  20. That is pretty much the most boring game I've ever seen on the SNES!🤦🏼‍♀️

  21. With they would remakec this for the nintendo switch

  22. Que recuerdos, el único juego de NES que logré pasar jugando con mi hermano.

  23. This game is as good as GBA's Double Dragon

  24. Los juegos de NES y SNES tenían un soundtrack espectacular

  25. I might have been about 13 years old, traded a bicycle, atari lynx and some cash for a snes console and this game at a swapmeet in El Cajon, CA. Good memories.

  26. I wish that this game come back but on the switch console on the super nintendo or remake version that will be sooo amazing 😊😊

  27. Everyone in here talking bout 1990s bro I was playing this on my DS in the 2010s for reference I’m 18 it’s ahead of my time but this was my shit

  28. My brother and I played this game all the time as kids great time RIP Jacob 🙏🏾

  29. Always so satisfying holding unto one guy and just go at it. Played this with my brother growing up

  30. It's funny how these games felt really long as a kid.

  31. the best game for double dragon, but no history, manga or animations make me sad

  32. I loved the music in this game. One of the best soundtracks of it's time.

  33. Used to love this as a kid. That soundtrack is just amazing!

  34. Saw the new trailer for double dragon game…….nope. Went back here for the best version

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *