Play Double Dragon:The Revenge Online

Double Dragon II: The Revenge came out on the NES in 1989 from Technos Japan, a follow-up that felt right at home in an era dominated by side-scrolling brawlers. It picked up right after the first game, with a simple but effective premise for revenge that didn't need much explanation. The graphics and music were a clear step up from the original, fitting the console's capabilities without trying to be something it wasn't.

You control either Billy or Jimmy Lee, moving screen by screen to fight through waves of the Black Warriors gang. Your main goal is to avenge Marian's death, which you accomplish by punching, kicking, and using special moves like the iconic cyclone spin. The levels are linear but varied, taking you from city streets to a hovering helicopter. The difficulty is stiff, especially with the sometimes unforgiving platforming sections, but pulling off a well-timed throw or clearing a screen of enemies is consistently satisfying. It feels like a solid, no-nonsense brawl from start to finish.