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When the 16-bit era arrived, fans of the beat 'em up genre were eagerly awaiting the evolution of the Lee brothers' saga. Return of Double Dragon, released for the Super Famicom, represents a fascinating and essential chapter in gaming history. While many players in the West are familiar with the version titled Super Double Dragon, this specific Japanese release is often cited by enthusiasts as the more complete and polished experience. It takes the foundation of the classic arcade brawlers and elevates it with sophisticated defensive mechanics and a deeper combat system that was truly ahead of its time, cementing its place as a cult classic among retro collectors.
The narrative of Return of Double Dragon follows the iconic martial arts duo, Billy and Jimmy Lee. After years of fighting the Black Warriors, a new threat emerges in the form of a criminal organization known as the Shadow Virtues. The setting takes players through a gritty, atmospheric urban landscape that perfectly captures the aesthetic of early 90s action cinema. The journey begins at a martial arts dojo and spans across various locales, including a bustling casino, airport hangars, and the roofs of moving trucks. These environments serve as the ultimate testing ground for the Lee brothers' mastery of the Sousetsuken martial arts style as they fight their way toward the villains' secluded hideout.
Gameplay in Return of Double Dragon is a significant evolution from the previous 8-bit trilogy. It introduced a revolutionary "parry" mechanic where Billy or Jimmy can catch an enemy's punch in mid-air and follow up with a devastating counter-attack. This version also features a power gauge that players can charge by holding the shoulder buttons; a partially charged meter allows for enhanced strikes, while a full meter unleashes the signature Hurricane Kick.
What sets Return of Double Dragon apart from its Western counterpart are the specific mechanical refinements and additional content. In this version, players can hit opponents multiple times successively with the Hurricane Kick and have the unique ability to retrieve a boomerang by catching it mid-air after a throw. The enemy AI is notably more sophisticated here; foes will frequently duck or block the final blow of a combo, forcing the player to be more tactical. Furthermore, the final Mission is expanded with two additional levels before the final encounter, and the overall weapon balance is tweaked, making knives and incendiary bombs less powerful to emphasize martial arts skill.
This game was released on several platforms, including the Super Famicom in Japan and the Super Nintendo in North America.
The legacy of Return of Double Dragon is defined by its reputation as the "definitive" version of the game. Because the North American release was rushed to meet holiday deadlines, it lacked the polish, music arrangement, and gameplay depth found in the Japanese Super Famicom version. Over the decades, it has become a staple for beat 'em up purists and speedrunners who appreciate its nuanced combat and increased difficulty. It remains a high-water mark for the franchise on 16-bit hardware, showcasing the potential of the SNES for complex, character-driven action games.
One of the most interesting aspects of this version is the musical shuffle; the title theme and background tracks were completely rearranged compared to the Western release. For example, the famous Mission 1 theme from the US version is actually used for Mission 4 in Return of Double Dragon. Additionally, the game features a dedicated Option Mode that was missing elsewhere, allowing players to adjust the difficulty and access a full sound test to enjoy the game's high-energy soundtrack and sound effects.