Double Dragon Advance is based on the arcade version of the game, so the graphics have been remade to reflect this. You won’t be seeing any of those pudgy sprites that invaded the NES version here. Aside from the in-game graphics being remade, there are cutscenes between each level to progress the story. Not content with simply porting the game, Atlus has also introduced several new enemies into the game, including some spiffy looking agents in black suits. Sadly, there isn’t any added animation for the old enemies to give them more personality. The agents adjust their ties after a flurry of attacks, so it’d be pretty cool if additional animation was added for the other enemies like Abobo. The music is also kick ass, with the memorable Double Dragon theme headlining the title.

Accompanying the remade visuals is a significantly revamped fighting system. Atlus has basically taken all of the good aspects of past Double Dragon games and have included them in its remake. You can dash by double tapping the directional pad, you can block and counterattack using the L trigger, and you can use two additional attacks by crouching. To crouch you just need to press A and B at the same time, and then an additional button to get a rising uppercut or the hyper knee attack from Double Dragon 2. Other attacks including a headbutt, a backfist, and the ability to mount fallen enemies to finish them off with a flurry of punches. You also get new weapons in the game, such as a pair of Kali sticks and an axe. Overall the changes made to the game have given a once dated design new life, and it stands as one of the best beat-em-ups in recent memory.

Multiplayer is where the game really shines. For anyone who has had the pleasure of playing any of the Double Dragon titles with a friend will know that the single player experience can't match the feeling of you and a friend plowing through waves of enemies in order to save your damsel in distress. Double Dragon Advance also has a fun little mode where one player can control both Billy and Jimmy Lee. You can't control both at the same time, rather you have to switch between the two brothers in order to succeed. It's hard, and frustrating, but it is clever.

Although the game’s length hasn’t changed from the original, the difficulty level is high… or maybe I just suck at these games, at my old age. Either way, the game throws a lot of enemies at you, and for those who’ve become accustomed to easier games will soon realize that game is no walk in the park. You’ll definitely use up the majority of your continues just getting to the last boss. I personally enjoyed the challenge the game gave me, and the swift ass-kicking I received only made me more determined to get through this game more than once. Unfortunately there isn't much replay value to encourage the player to keep playing after they've finished the game two or three times.

It’s a good thing that Atlus decided not to simply port a nearly 15 year old game without any enhancements at all. Double Dragon is one of those titles that deserves better than that, and it’s great to see that all of the changes made to the game have not only breathed new life into the title, but are actually worthwhile from a gameplay standpoint. For anyone looking for a new GBA title with some challenge, check this title out!

· · · Reno