That's a 100 percent increase on the mobile version released over a year ago as well, and that doesn't justify simply having easier controller support.Ī better time can be had by either finding the old Double Dragon games for the NES or setting things up on MAME. DotEmu thrives in rereleasing retro games, and they left a lot on the table in an uninspired collection that's nowhere near the value of $6. Final thoughtsĭouble Dragon Trilogy is great for those that would love the nostalgia from playing these games in the arcades, but that's where the fun ends. There is no story because no overview or dialogue is taking place. The only difference in playing the Story or Arcade verison of the games is one features a level select. As previously mentioned, the original ending and credits have been completely scrapped. Other than that, this is a real bare-bones trilogy release.
A video filter that adds scanlines is there for those that want to feel the nostalgia on a next level, but the blur is so annoying that it'd be hard to play a full game with the option on. Being able to play online worked without a hitch on the Steam version in multiple play tests. The remastered soundtrack is a wonderful addition, and the option to switch to the retro 8-bit sounds are great for those that aren't into the remixes. It would have also been an overall better experience and we'd avoid both agregious arcade and console versions of the rushed Double Dragon III.Īmong the problems with Double Dragon Trilogy are the lack of extras. This game alone would be worth the asking price of $5.99 if they upgraded the graphics and used the very catchy remixed tunes in Double Dragon Trilogy. The NES version of Double Dragon II, released a year after the arcade version, is the definitive edition of the game without question. Million, comprised of former workers of the now defunct Technos Japan developer, has no problem with licensing the Double Dragon franchise out and likely would have given this developer a green light to use the NES games. If DotEmu wanted to treat Double Dragon Trilogy properly, they would have at least offered the NES ports as a bonus feature.
It will take up the majority of remaining lives to defeat him. In easy mode on Double Dragon II, a number of stronger enemies can be trashed in a single hit while the final boss is incredibly unfair. There doesn't seem to be a great balance in these settings, either. The number of continues are also not listed on the screen, and they vary on the difficulty selected between easy, medium, and hard. Just being able to use one coin also means that not all the extra characters are unlockable.
Yes, along with setting the trends for future beat 'em up brawlers, a Double Dragon game was also responsible for introducing the very first "in-app purchasing" to the dismay of arcade players. There's only one coin that players can use to buy extra content. Dialogue and story has also been completely removed.Īnother problem is the lack of real coin support in Double Dragon III. The button layout that changed from Double Dragon to Double Dragon II also wasn't emulated it's the same for both games in the trilogy release. Yes, the backgrounds, sprites, and many other things are the same from the arcade classics, but they've been ripped from the original and recreated with an ugly HUD and bland text display.
Not a perfect arcade emulationĬontrary to the naked eye, these are not emulation-perfect ports. While it may bring some nostalgia back to many older players that remembered hitting the arcades and playing these games, DotEmu may have missed the boat in re-releasing the arcade ports in Double Dragon Trilogy. All three games have been repackaged into one with an updated optional soundtrack. There were three arcade games released between 19.