Out of all the different versions of Double Dragon II, this is without a doubt the best version, because not only is it an original game unlike the arcade version, but it also manages to have more in comparison to that game, such as more stages, more bosses, more challenges, and more plot. Now, I wouldn't say this game is better than the original, with them being on the same level for me, and it does have its problems, but it is still a solid follow-up to the original game.
The story is about the same as the arcade version, this time helped out with new cinematics in between each level, the graphics are about on par with the original NES game, which were pretty good, the music is still pretty catchy and fun to listen to, the control is also about the same as the arcade, so nothing to go into there, and the game play is still the same classic beat-em-up action seen before.
What this game changes from the arcade though definitely makes it better in my eyes, with plenty of new stages involving new types of progression and hazards, making sure to keep the player on their toes and challenge them in new ways. However, not all of these new challenges are all that enjoyable after a while.
What I am mainly referring to is the platforming. Unlike the previous game and the arcade version, this game has plenty of sections involving platforming, and it is as extremely awkward to control as it sounds. Sure, not all of it is bad, but you will have to make a lot of tricky jumps with some of the worst jumping restrictions on the NES, even more so than Castlevania. Not to mention, another problem I have with the game is that some of the levels are short, and I mean REALLY short. Sure, it is an NES game, I get that, but these stages could've been lengthened out a little bit more.
Also, this is one of those games where they hide the true ending behind the hardest difficulty, and I HATE when games do that. I get it, you know, you wanna make the player earn it, and you could just really "get good, scrub", but it is still annoying at the end of the day if you play on one of the other difficulties and are then told to do it again.
Overall, while being on the same level as the original game, it is still a great follow-up to the original Double Dragon, and while it does have its problems, the NES version is certainly the best out of all the different versions of Double Dragon II.
Game #53
The story is about the same as the arcade version, this time helped out with new cinematics in between each level, the graphics are about on par with the original NES game, which were pretty good, the music is still pretty catchy and fun to listen to, the control is also about the same as the arcade, so nothing to go into there, and the game play is still the same classic beat-em-up action seen before.
What this game changes from the arcade though definitely makes it better in my eyes, with plenty of new stages involving new types of progression and hazards, making sure to keep the player on their toes and challenge them in new ways. However, not all of these new challenges are all that enjoyable after a while.
What I am mainly referring to is the platforming. Unlike the previous game and the arcade version, this game has plenty of sections involving platforming, and it is as extremely awkward to control as it sounds. Sure, not all of it is bad, but you will have to make a lot of tricky jumps with some of the worst jumping restrictions on the NES, even more so than Castlevania. Not to mention, another problem I have with the game is that some of the levels are short, and I mean REALLY short. Sure, it is an NES game, I get that, but these stages could've been lengthened out a little bit more.
Also, this is one of those games where they hide the true ending behind the hardest difficulty, and I HATE when games do that. I get it, you know, you wanna make the player earn it, and you could just really "get good, scrub", but it is still annoying at the end of the day if you play on one of the other difficulties and are then told to do it again.
Overall, while being on the same level as the original game, it is still a great follow-up to the original Double Dragon, and while it does have its problems, the NES version is certainly the best out of all the different versions of Double Dragon II.
Game #53