From Arcade to 3D: The evolution of Double Dragon Revive

GAMING NEWS AlexP - 24-Oct-2025, 12:39 pm

The classic beat 'em up series, Double Dragon, has returned with a bold new look in Double Dragon Revive. This game aims to recapture the simple joy of street brawling while bringing the action into a modern era with flashy new visuals and refined combat. The Lee brothers, Billy and Jimmy, are once again at the center of the action, taking on a powerful gang known as the Shadow Warriors in a post-war world.

One of the most notable changes is the shift to modern 3D graphics, recreating the beloved characters and gritty urban stages in a new, detailed style. While the core gameplay is still the familiar belt-scroll action—moving horizontally to punch and kick your way through hordes of enemies—the mechanics have been updated for a strategic feel. Players can now make use of environmental gimmicks, such as knocking foes into dumpsters or other hazards for instant knockouts. The combat system encourages variety over simple button-mashing, asking you to adapt your attacks, learn enemy patterns, and utilize special moves to charge a meter for powerful, screen-clearing finishing attacks. The roster expands beyond the main brothers to include fan-favorites like Marian, who has been redesigned as a playable fighter with her own aerial and kick-based style, along with the ninja Ranzo. The experience supports up to two players for cooperative play.

The evolution of Double Dragon

Double Dragon Revive follows another recent successful revival in the franchise, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons. That game took a different approach, keeping the 2D art style and adding roguelike elements where players managed a tag-team of characters and could upgrade their abilities after each stage. Both titles show a desire to bring the iconic martial arts duo back to the forefront of the beat 'em up genre, each choosing a distinct path to modernize the classic brawling formula. Don’t forget to use our price comparison tool to find the best price for Double Dragon Revive.