Two are better than one, especially in martial arts where four fists and four legs can cause double the damage. Double Dragon introduced the twin forces of Billy and Jimmy Lee, kung fu masters and defenders of the weak. Heavily influenced by martial arts films like Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon, Double Dragon was an early beat 'em up arcade game that became very popular in the late 80s.

The action started when a young lass named Marian is kidnapped off the grimy city streets, a crime witnessed by Billy and Jimmy who then set off in pursuit of the kidnappers. The criminals were organized as the Shadow Warriors gang, led by the dastardly (and armed) Willy. The twins took on several gang minions, like Lopar, Linda and a big, bald guy named Abobo. Punching and kicking bad guy butt earned the brothers whatever weapons the gang members carried but impromptu weapons like barrels and crates could also be found in the surrounding area.

The player controlled the two dragons with a joystick and three buttons for jumps, kicks and punches. After leaving the street level, the twins pursued the gang through a factory, a jungle and finally the Shadow Warriors' castle and Willy's base. There had been other side-scrolling fighting games before Double Dragon's release but this game had impressive sounds and 3-D graphics and, more importantly, a two-player mode. If the players emerged victorious, they were pitted against each other to fight for Marian's affections. It would serve them right if she just snuck out during the brotherly smackdown and ran away with Abobo.

Double Dragon had wide appeal and even spawned a live action film and an animated TV series. A number of sequels were released in later years, both for arcades and home gaming systems.