History VideoGame / DoubleDragonII

* DualBoss: The twin Burnovs at the end of Mission 3 and the twin versions of all prior bosses in Mission 4 both qualify.

* MirrorBoss: The Lee brothers must fight their own shadows at the end of Mission 4.

Two other console versions of ''Double Dragon II'' were also made, but were [[NoExportForYou released only in Japan]]: a UsefulNotes/MegaDrive version (closer to the arcade game, but with severely downgraded visuals and smaller character sprites) and a [[UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] Super [=CD-ROM2=] version (closer to the NES game but with improved visuals, a new soundtrack, and anime-style cutscenes). There was also a full-on 3D "remake" for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, titled ''Double Dragon II: Wanders of the Dragons'', by Korean developer Baruson Creative--which was universally panned by critics for its poor gameplay and cheap visuals. (This remake also came out shortly after the better-received ''VideoGame/DoubleDragonNeon'', which didn't help matters.) An unrelated GameBoy sequel was released in 1991; simply titled ''Double Dragon II'', it was actually a ''VideoGame/KunioKun'' game with the graphics and music changed for the [[DolledUpInstallment Western release.]]

* RevisedEnding: [[spoiler:Unlike the arcade version, [[SparedByTheAdaptation Marian lives]].]]

* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:The Black Warriors are done, but Marian is still dead.]]

Two other console versions of ''Double Dragon II'' were also made, but were [[NoExportForYou released only in Japan]]: a UsefulNotes/MegaDrive version (closer to the arcade game, but with severely downgraded visuals and smaller character sprites) and a [[UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] Super [=CD-ROM2=] version (closer to the NES game but with improved visuals, a new soundtrack, and anime-style cutscenes). There was also a full-on 3D "remake" for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, titled ''Double Dragon II: Wanders of the Dragons'', by Korean developer Baruson Creative--which was universally panned by critics for its poor gameplay and cheap visuals. (This remake also came out shortly after the better-received ''VideoGame/DoubleDragonNeon'', which didn't help matters.) An unrelated GameBoy sequel was released in 1991; simply titled ''Double Dragon II'', it was actually a [[Franchise/KunioKun Kunio-kun]] game with the graphics and music changed for the [[DolledUpInstallment Western release.]]

* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:Marian miraculously returns to life after the final boss is defeated.]].
* BarrierBustingBlow: The Lee brothers do this in the intro of the PC-Engine version.

Two other console versions of ''Double Dragon II'' were also made, but were [[NoExportForYou released only in Japan]]: a UsefulNotes/MegaDrive version (closer to the arcade game, but with severely downgraded visuals and smaller character sprites) and a [[TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] Super [=CD-ROM2=] version (closer to the NES game but with improved visuals, a new soundtrack, and anime-style cutscenes). There was also a full-on 3D "remake" for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, titled ''Double Dragon II: Wanders of the Dragons'', by Korean developer Baruson Creative--which was universally panned by critics for its poor gameplay and cheap visuals. (This remake also came out shortly after the better-received ''VideoGame/DoubleDragonNeon'', which didn't help matters.) An unrelated GameBoy sequel was released in 1991; simply titled ''Double Dragon II'', it was actually a [[Franchise/KunioKun Kunio-kun]] game with the graphics and music changed for the [[DolledUpInstallment Western release.]]

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The Mega Drive version is the only port of the arcade game that has the enemy characters named in its manual. While the names are mostly taken from the earlier Famicom [[ReformulatedGame reworking]] (which shared most of the same characters, save for the omission of Machine Gun Willy and Jeff, and the addition of new enemy types), there a few discrepancies between the two versions as well. Namely, the long-haired version of Abobo was actually named Bolo in the Famicom version (changing the character from a {{suspiciously similar substitute}} to a different incarnation of the same guy), while Abore is the name of the giant suspender-wearing Franchise/{{Terminator}} clone in the Mega Drive version and not the Abobo/Bolo head-swap (whose name is O'Hara in the Mega Drive version) who actually resembles the Abore from the Famicom game (although the Famicom incarnation of Abore had the Terminator's chop attacks and shoulder tackle).

Two other console versions of ''Double Dragon II'' were also made, but were [[NoExportForYou released only in Japan]]: a UsefulNotes/MegaDrive version (closer to the arcade game, but with severely downgraded visuals and smaller character sprites) and a [[TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] Super [=CD-ROM2=] version (closer to the NES game but with improved visuals, a new soundtrack, and anime-style cutscenes). There was also a full-on 3D "remake" for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, titled ''Double Dragon II: Wanders of the Dragons'', by Korean developer Baruson Creative--which was universally panned by critics for its poor gameplay and cheap visuals. (This remake also came out shortly after the better-received ''DoubleDragonNeon'', which didn't help matters.) An unrelated GameBoy sequel was released in 1991; simply titled ''Double Dragon II'', it was actually a [[Franchise/KunioKun Kunio-kun]] game with the graphics and music changed for the [[DolledUpInstallment Western release.]]

* WantedPoster: The wanted posters for Machine Gun Willy and the mohawked version of Abobo from the first game can be seen next to the elevator at the start of Mission 2.

* BackFromTheDead: This happens to [[spoiler:Marian]] in this version.

* DegradedBoss: The head-swapped enemies from [[VideoGame/{{Double Dragon 1}} the first game]] appear as standard grunts instead of end bosses.

* AdaptedOut:
** Machine Gun Willy is nowhere to be seen in the NES version, despite being the one who guns down Marian in the arcade game (the new opening implies she got stabbed by a ninja, [[GoryDiscretionShot as the actual deed is never shown]]). [[spoiler:However, he makes an unannounced appearance (in the sense that he is not listed in the manual) in the PC Engine version.]]

* TempleOfDoom: Missions 6 through 9 are set in a so-called "Mansion of Terror."

* CaptainErsatz: Mission 1 boss Burnov resembles ''Manga/{{Kinnikuman}}'' character Neptuneman, while Mission 2 boss Abore is a cross between Film/TheTerminator and Wrestling/AndreTheGiant.

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The Mega Drive version is the only port of the arcade game that has the enemy characters named in its manual. While the names are mostly taken from the earlier Famicom [[ReformulatedGame reworking]] (which shared most of the same characters, save for the omission of Machine Gun Willy and Jeff, and the addition of new enemy types), there a few discrepancies between the two versions as well. Namely, the long-haired version of Abobo was actually named Bolo in the Famicom version (changing the character from a {{suspiciously similar substitute}} to a different incarnation of the same guy), while Abore is the name of the giant suspender-wearing Film/{{Terminator}} clone in the Mega Drive version and not the Abobo/Bolo head-swap (whose name is O'Hara in the Mega Drive version) who actually resembles the Abore from the Famicom game (although the Famicom incarnation of Abore had the Terminator's chop attacks and shoulder tackle).

----

The NES version, released in the end of 1989 and published by {{Acclaim}} in the West, was much like its NES predecessor: more of an adaptation of its arcade counterpart than a direct port. The basic premise remained the same, but this time the story was told through comic book-esque interludes between stages. Technos had more experience with the NES hardware this time around--a result of working on several titles since the original ''Double Dragon'', including the cult classic ''VideoGame/RiverCityRansom''--so it was able to retain [[Main/CoOpMultiplayer co-op multiplayer]] and toss in the option to disable "friendly fire" damage. The level designs were much more elaborate than the arcade version (with nine missions instead of the arcade's four), and a new final boss replaced Machine Gun Willy as the main antagonist.

After the success of the original ''[[VideoGame/DoubleDragon1 Double Dragon]]'' in arcades and on the NES, Technos Japan Corp. decided to follow it up with a sequel: '''''Double Dragon II: The Revenge''''', released for the arcades in 1988 (only a year after the first entry). The Black Warriors, humiliated by their defeat at the hands of the Lee brothers, retaliate by murdering [[DisposableWoman Marian]]. With their beloved now gone, Billy and Jimmy set off to defeat the Black Warriors, this time for good.

Two other console versions of ''Double Dragon II'' were also made, but were [[NoExportForYou released only in Japan]]: a MegaDrive version (closer to the arcade game, but with severely downgraded visuals and smaller character sprites) and a [[TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] Super [=CD-ROM2=] version (closer to the NES game but with improved visuals, a new soundtrack, and anime-style cutscenes). There was also a full-on 3D "remake" for the {{Xbox 360}}, titled ''Double Dragon II: Wanders of the Dragons'', by Korean developer Baruson Creative--which was universally panned by critics for its poor gameplay and cheap visuals. (This remake also came out shortly after the better-received ''DoubleDragonNeon'', which didn't help matters.) An unrelated GameBoy sequel was released in 1991; simply titled ''Double Dragon II'', it was actually a [[Franchise/KunioKun Kunio-kun]] game with the graphics and music changed for the [[DolledUpInstallment Western release.]]

* TempleOfDoom: Missions 6 through 9 are set in the same "Mansion of Terror."

The NES version, released in the end of 1989 and published by {{Acclaim}} in the West, was much like its NES predecessor: more of an adaptation of its arcade counterpart than a direct port. The basic premise remained the same, but this time the story was told through comic book-esque interludes between stages. Technos had more experience with the NES hardware this time around--a result of working on several titles since the original ''Double Dragon'', including the cult classic ''RiverCityRansom''--so it was able to retain [[Main/CoOpMultiplayer co-op multiplayer]] and toss in the option to disable "friendly fire" damage. The level designs were much more elaborate than the arcade version (with nine missions instead of the arcade's four), and a new final boss replaced Machine Gun Willy as the main antagonist.

* AdaptedOut: Machine Gun Willy is nowhere to be seen in the NES version, despite being the one who guns down Marian in the arcade game (the new opening implies she got stabbed by a ninja, [[GoryDiscretionShot as the actual deed is never shown]]). [[spoiler:However, he makes an unannounced appearance (in the sense that he is not listed in the manual) in the PC Engine version.]]

* TriumphantReprise: In the intro to the PC Engine version, a somber version of the ''Double Dragon'' theme plays as Marian dies in Billy's arms--before going back to the main theme tune as Billy and Jimmy Lee head out to fight the Shadow Warriors.

* AdaptedOut: Machine Gun Willy is nowhere to be seen in the NES version, despite being the one who guns down Marian in the arcade game (the new opening implies she got stabbed by a ninja, [[GoryDiscretionShot as the actual deed is never shown]]). [[spoiler:However, he makes a surprised appearance in the PC Engine version.]]

* AdaptedOut: Machine Gun Willy is nowhere to be seen in the NES version. [[spoiler:However, he makes a surprised appearance in the PC Engine version.]]

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The Mega Drive version is the only port of the arcade game that has the enemy characters named in its manual. While the names are mostly taken from the earlier Famicom [[ReformulatedGame reworking]], there a few discrepancies between the two versions as well. Namely, the long-haired version of Abobo was actually named Bolo in the Famicom version (changing the character from a {{suspiciously similar substitute}} to a different incarnation of the same guy), while Abore is the name of the giant suspender-wearing Film/{{Terminator}} clone in the Mega Drive version and not the Abobo/Bolo head-swap (whose name is O'Hara in the Mega Drive version) who actually resembles the Abore from the Famicom game.

* CoversAlwaysLie: The flyer art shows one of the Lee brothers grabbing Marian around his arm, protecting her from danger, even though she dies as soon as soon as the player starts the game. [[spoiler:Unlike the NES version, there's no sudden happy ending where she is miraculously brought back to life.]]

Two other console versions of ''Double Dragon II'' were also made, but were [[NoExportForYou released only in Japan]]: a MegaDrive version (closer to the arcade games, but with severely downgraded visuals and smaller character sprites) and a [[TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] Super CD-ROM version (closer to the NES game but with improved visuals, a new soundtrack, and anime-style cutscenes). There was also a full-on 3D "remake" for the {{Xbox 360}}, titled ''Double Dragon II: Wanders of the Dragons'', by Korean developer Baruson Creative--which was universally panned by critics for its poor gameplay and cheap visuals. (This remake also came out shortly after the better-received ''DoubleDragonNeon'', which didn't help matters.) An unrelated GameBoy sequel was released in 1991; simply titled ''Double Dragon II'', it was actually a [[Franchise/KunioKun Kunio-kun]] game with the graphics and music changed for the [[DolledUpInstallment Western release.]]

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The Mega Drive version is the only port of the arcade game that has the enemy characters named in its manual. While there is some overlap with the enemy roster in the earlier Famicom/NES version, there are a couple of discrepancies as well. Namely, the long-haired version of Abobo was actually named Bolo in the Famicom version (changing the character from a {{suspiciously similar substitute}} to a different incarnation of the same guy), while Abore is the name of the giant suspender-wearing Film/{{Terminator}} clone in the Mega Drive version and not the Abobo/Bolo head-swap (whose name is O'Hara in the Mega Drive version) who actually resembles the Abore from the Famicom game.

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The Mega Drive version is the only port of the arcade game that has the enemy characters named in its manual. While there is some overlap in the enemy roster with the earlier Famicom/NES version, there are a few discrepancies as well. Namely, the long-haired version of Abobo was actually named Bolo in the Famicom version (changing the character from a {{suspiciously similar substitute}} to a different incarnation of the same character), while Abore is the name of the giant suspender-wearing Film/{{Terminator}} clone in the Mega Drive version and not the Abobo/Bolo head-swap (whose name is O'Hara in the Mega Drive version) who actually resembles the Abore from the Famicom game.

* NostalgiaLevel: The entirety of the game qualifies, especially the Mission 2, which is the least changed stage compared to the rest (it has no new traps or structural change beyond the different background).