Double Dragon Revive Review
Few names in gaming history carry as much weight in the beat ’em up genre as Double Dragon. Since its arcade debut in 1987, the series has been synonymous with side-scrolling action, brotherly vengeance, and the pure thrill of pummeling waves of thugs with your bare fists. Now, Double Dragon Revive brings the Lee brothers back to life for a new generation. Developed by Yuke's under Arc System Works supervision, the same studio known for its mastery of fighting-game polish, this revival successfully blends old-school design with contemporary visuals and gameplay refinement.
It’s a nostalgic return to form, reintroducing fans to familiar faces, interactive environments, and chaotic co-op brawls. Yet it’s not without its flaws. While the combat system shines and the presentation feels slick, Double Dragon Revive sometimes struggles to balance its retro roots with modern expectations.
A Faithful Return to the Streets
From the moment you start Double Dragon Revive, the respect for the original is clear. Every punch, throw, and weapon swing feels like a deliberate nod to the arcade classic. The developers have recreated the 2D brawler style in fully modern 3D graphics, giving the characters and environments a new level of visual punch while keeping that gritty urban tone that defined the series.
The story, as ever, remains a simple one. Billy and Jimmy Lee set out once again to rescue Marian and take down the criminal underworld that stands in their way, but there's a twist. The plot is straightforward, and while it features newly voiced cutscenes that give a touch of cinematic flair, it never aims to do more than set the stage for action. This is a game built for fists, not feelings.
That simplicity works in its favour. Each level is an excuse for classic belt-scrolling chaos, and thanks to modern animation and physics, combat feels fluid and satisfying.
Combat with Weight and Strategy
At first glance, Double Dragon Revive looks like a traditional beat ’em up, but beneath its surface lies a surprising amount of depth. This is not just a button-mashing experience. The combat rewards timing, spacing, and situational awareness. Enemies have distinct attack patterns, and learning how to react to them is the key to survival.
The fighting system, fine-tuned by veterans from Arc System Works’ fighting-game lineage, brings a layer of precision and flair rarely seen in modern beat ’em ups. Combos flow naturally, and counters feel impactful. You can juggle enemies, evade attacks, and use your surroundings creatively.
Environmental interactivity is one of the game’s most enjoyable features. Kick an enemy through a car windshield and you’ll earn a temporary buff for your special ability. Toss someone into a dumpster and you’ll get another bonus. These moments keep combat fresh, giving each encounter a sense of discovery and reward.
Weapons also play an important role. You can pick up pipes, bats, knives, and more, each adding variety to your attack patterns. The weapon physics feel appropriately brutal, sending enemies flying or crumpling in a heap depending on how you swing.
Smooth Performance and Stylish Presentation
Performance is rock-solid throughout. Double Dragon Revive runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, with minimal slowdown even when the screen fills with enemies. The character models look sharp and colourful, the animations are fluid, and the lighting effects give every stage a dramatic punch.
The voice-acted cutscenes add a modern cinematic touch, while the music blends classic Double Dragon motifs with new remixes that fit perfectly with the game’s pace. Marian also makes her return as a playable character, and her fighting style adds a refreshing variety to the roster.
Multiplayer shines as one of the game’s strongest elements. You can hop into online lobbies for both the story and extra modes, pairing up with friends or players around the world. Playing cooperatively adds a chaotic joy that single-player simply can’t replicate, especially when you coordinate special attacks and tag-team combos.
Shortcomings in the Fight
Despite all its strengths, Double Dragon Revive doesn’t land every punch cleanly. The absence of a drop-in or drop-out option for multiplayer is one of its more frustrating design choices. Once a match begins, you’re locked in, which feels unnecessarily restrictive in an era where seamless online transitions have become standard.
The game also fails to adjust its difficulty dynamically when playing solo. Without a partner, some encounters feel unbalanced, turning what should be thrilling showdowns into tedious endurance matches. Enemy variety could also use more work. Many enemies share similar names and designs, making some stages blend.
Certain levels lack the visual or mechanical creativity of others, occasionally feeling repetitive compared to the game’s stronger stages. And while the story is functional, it’s far from memorable. It serves its purpose but doesn’t elevate the experience beyond nostalgic fan service.
A Tribute Worth Playing
For all its flaws, Double Dragon Revive succeeds where it matters most: delivering satisfying, skill-based combat that honours its arcade legacy while feeling great to play today. It’s smooth, responsive, and built with respect for its source material. The variety of playable characters, the interactive environments, and the well-tuned mechanics make it a standout among modern beat ’em ups.
Fans of the genre will find plenty to love here, especially when playing cooperatively. The ability to restart levels and switch characters keeps the gameplay flexible, and the sense of momentum from one fight to the next rarely slows down.
Yes, the story is thin and the single-player experience can feel uneven, but these are small bruises on what is otherwise a strong revival.
Final Verdict
Double Dragon Revive is a stylish and faithful resurrection of one of gaming’s most influential franchises. It nails the feeling of classic brawler combat while injecting it with enough modern flair to stand out in today’s market. The fighting mechanics are sharp, the presentation is strong, and the co-op experience delivers the chaotic fun fans have been craving.
While it doesn’t reinvent the genre or tell a story you’ll remember, it captures what made Double Dragon iconic: teamwork, precision, and pure, satisfying brawling.
Double Dragon Revive punches its way back into the spotlight with smooth performance, deep combat, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. It’s a fun, interactive, and well-built brawler that honours its roots while embracing modern polish, even if its story and structure play it safe.
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch