Going Through Double Dragon on Nintendo

Ah, yes Double Dragon for the NES. It is a classic game that has just 4 missions and you don't have two-player style at the same time like future Double Dragon titles. It is a classic beat 'em up adventure game. There was a time limit involved with each area of the level and it would restart once going into the next part. The plot of this game involved Marion getting captured and it was up to Billy to rescue her. It was basically the damsel in distress story but it works. The main villain in this is actually his brother Jimmy Lee, whom is just evil in this version that I know of for sure. Anyone how, here are things to note before discussing how to go through. You don't have all your moves, so you're going to have to level up to reach the 7th heart. Each heart represents a new move that is gained like when you gain experience points in a game, a new move is learned along the way. So to better illustrate, here is the exact chart on how it looks.

1 heart=Basic punching and kicking

2 hearts=Roundhouse Kick and Uppercut

3 hearts=Jumping Kick

4 hearts=Hair Pull

5 hearts=Reverse Elbow Smash

6 hearts=Tackle and Punching Enemies While they're down

7 hearts=Jumping Roundhouse Kick

Mission 1

In this part, you are just trying to get the basic moves down. What would be done best if you don't have a Game Genie is just take them out while also trying to increase your points. They increase everytime to get you close to 1000 EXP. Points giving you another heart. Press forward and beat up the Williams's guys and then move on when the arrow says to do so. After that, you have to deal with Ropers that are really easy. Just apply the same strategy as well the Linda's. There's really nothing to talk about on this area because it is pretty straightforward. After that, you enter the building with the Warehouse and either kill them or knock them off the conveyer belt making it even easier leading to the 1st boss of the game, the Abobo. The best way to end it quick is to knock him off the conveyer belt and you win. There is also the strategy of beating him up until he is dead and then press forward to the next mission.

Mission 2

To suggest one item into play, make sure to get leveled up to level 3 for sure. You should be at least at level 2 or you could go higher and get to 4 depending on how far you let your experience points raise up to. If you have a chance to go to level 4, by all means do it because that technique will come in handy with the later levels. This is the shortest part of the game so you only have one part. Watch out for the Ropers as they now throw boxes and if you want to, you can throw it back at him knocking him down and then start attacking right away. When there's a Williams brother with dynamite, let him throw it and for extra measure, you could pick it up and throw it at him and it will kill him. After that, there is another Williams that has a baseball bat, just do a jump kick at him knocking the baseball bat out of his hands. Pick it up and start playing baseball with it smacking every Williams guy that appears. There's also Lindas who have a whip but should hopefully have the Hair Pull attack so jump kick, knock the whip out of one of their hands and if you want to take it, take it and beat them with it. Then eventually go up and meet Chin, the boss of the 2nd level. Quickest way to beat him is to throw him off the ledge and make sure he doesn't land on the lower floor if you want the quick knock out. He'll be back later and it won't be easy to throw him off the ledge so if you want to beat him up, use kicks, jump kicks, and hair pulls. That will help you get ahead in this part.

Mission 3

Longest part of the game actually so you might want to pay attention to each part. A knife gets thrown but use the jump kick to knock it down. Then pick it up and throw it back at him for revenge. There is a guy that is hiding on the tree and as he does a jump kick, make sure to be behind him and then do a jump kick of your own knocking him down. Beat him up and a round of those guys go to the next part and get ready for the Chin guys. Quickly dispose of them with kicking and also giving him hair pulls and then you go up to the bridge area. It's important to get your jumps perfect. If you fall in the water, you die. There is a Williams with a bat. Jump kick him and take his bat away if you want. If you want to knock him into the water, go ahead and do so. At the end of the part, there will be 2 caves with an opening with 2 Abobo's so take them out one at a time so that you don't get ganged up on and will save you hit points. Move to the next level and watch out for falling spikes or as they look like mini tornados. Get to the next part and time your jumps right and get on the moving platform. When aligned right, jump on the 2nd one and if you can make it all the way to the end without the 3rd platform, be sure to be at the far right making it even easier for yourself. You will then fight Chins so make sure not to get yourself jammed up by them wanting to double team. Then you reach the 3rd part, a green cave. Watch out for the Williams that has the Dynamite. Pick it up and throw it at him. In this game, I support using anything to get ahead in the game not get yourself killed. At the same time, level up and you could possibly make it to level 7 in this whole level. It's long enough to do so. Watch out for the rocks that fall and don't over jump because there is a pit at the bottom and if you fall into it, you're dead. Sometimes just go straight down if you don't think you can make the jump or think you're going to over jump your target. Sure, you might lose some energy but it'd be worth it but not if you have 1 hit point left. After that, do it again but you can jump straight down without fear. You run into a green Abobo and luckily they only appear one at a time. Elbow smash him and jump kick him will do the trick for sure. Do the same with the other and go through the cave door. Whatever you do, don't go right back into that cave otherwise you'll have to fight them again and then move on to the final level. Beat up the Linda's in the final part and get to the bottom but not quite to where you'll die. Find a stepping-stone to go down to the area with a door opening and you've completed the game.

Mission 4

By now you should all or pretty close to all the skills you've acquired throughout the game but the 1st part is very difficult. There are moving bricks and you have to time it just right to avoid getting hit. The best way to do is to keep moving and not stop and think. The bricks move in a pattern so do that for those parts and climb up the stairway or bricks or whatever they're called and you'll fight Chins with a knife. Knock the knife out of his hand and use it. To make the battle really quick, get to a point where you can throw them off the edge on the right hand side of the screen. Then enter the door and pay attention to the Williams guys since they can show up at any given moment through any door. Time your jumps right and be smart about them. Get to the vertical moving platform and again time it right and get on top of it. After that do it again, and get to the door. Now you are in the final area and now take out the Williams Brothers and then move on to the next part. It will have 2 enemies of every kind until you reach Willy, the guy with a gun. He is very hard to beat if you get frustrated easily as he has a gun and can shoot you like crazy. Do vertical tricks to trick him and hair pull, jumping roundhouse kick, whatever skills you got, use them and beat him. Once that is done, you face Jimmy Lee. In this game, he is the villain and this is the only Double Dragon game where he is the final boss. Compared to Willy, he is slightly easier and will attack without weapons. Use all your skills to your advantage and any form of attacking you can do, by all means go for it. After beating Jimmy, he does realize the error of his ways and joins you in future Double Dragon games. The ending is short Marion wakes up and goes to Billy gives him a kiss and that's it.There is also a two-player fighting mode where you will fight basically a clone of yourself. This could help to get you more prepared and used to the moves that each character uses. Mode B for Player 1 is just one player only so you play as Billy. That would change, as Jimmy would be involved in other Double Dragon games. So hope you enjoy this guide on how to beat Double Dragon on the NES. I can't imagine it being much more difficult in the Virtual Console Version should this get out there for it on the Wii. It's a classic game if you like beat 'em Up Adventure games.