Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons

Released Jul 2023

The Double Dragon brothers return in this fresh addition to the iconic franchise. With roguelite elements, every playthrough is a chance at new action. Tag in with 2 of 4 starter characters or unlock 20 additional characters, each with their own special moves and playstyles. Online & Local Co-op.

86% positive · 1,752 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

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Evaluation

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons launched on July 27, 2023 and has since received a steady stream of free content updates from developer Secret Base. The first major post-launch content drop was the Sacred Reunion DLC (April 4, 2024), which added three new characters, online co-op, Versus Mode, Survival Mode, six new stages, and new upgrades. This was followed by a free two-character update adding Jeff and Abore (May 6, 2025), then another free update adding Evil Marian and Super Anubis (August 12, 2025), and most recently a four-character drop introducing Armored Okada, Jackson, Jim Mackey, and Bimmy Lee (February 19, 2026) — described by the developer as "our biggest update yet." A hotfix was published on April 21, 2026, the most recent official communication from the developer. This establishes a clear and sustained pattern of major free content updates roughly every 6–12 months since launch. Notably, a March 2025 announcement stated that the April/May character drop was "the first of several planned character updates, with an additional six new fighters to be added later this year" — some or all of those fighters have since shipped across the August 2025 and February 2026 updates. No explicit future content has been announced beyond what has already been delivered, and the developer has made no statement that development is concluding. We are approximately two months past the last major content drop (February 19, 2026), well within the established cadence window of 6–9 months between major updates. The game remains actively supported.
Evidence
Four new playable characters (Armored Okada, Jackson, Jim Mackey, Bimmy Lee) added in a free update described by the developer as their biggest update yet.
news post · Feb 19, 2026 source content shipped
high
Two new playable characters, Evil Marian and Super Anubis, released as a free update.
news post · Aug 12, 2025 source content shipped
high

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Maximum Entertainment
Achievements
20
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · Local/Split Screen

About this game

Prepare to throw down the Double Dragon way in this fresh addition to the iconic beat ‘em up franchise. It’s the year 199X, and nuclear war has devastated New York City leaving its citizens to fight for survival as riots and crime engulf the streets. The city has been overtaken by criminal gangs who terrorize its ruins as they fight for total dominance. Unwilling to endure these conditions any longer, young Billy and Jimmy Lee take it upon themselves to drive the gangs out of their city.

Explore the early beginnings of the young Double Dragon brothers as they take on both new and familiar enemies in this alternate story. In this fresh roguelite take, every playthrough is a brand new chance at new action. Featuring a unique and dynamic level structure, the difficulty of the missions you take on will change depending on the order you have selected them.

Tag in and out as the classic duo Billy and Jimmy, switch it up with Marian and Uncle Matin, or experiment with 20 additional unlockable characters, each with their own special moves and unique playstyles. With 2-player online and local co-op, the action quadruples as you and a friend clean up the mean streets.

TAG TEAM ACTION – Choose two fighters and seamlessly switch between them, giving you a multitude of strategies for devastating combos, defensive and offensive moves.

BEAT ‘EM UP WITH ROGUELITE ELEMENTS– Experience endless playthrough possibilities with a dynamic mission select function; the order in which you choose your mission will affect mission length, number of enemies, and overall difficulty. Choose where you improve with randomized purchasable upgrades for your characters at the end of each mission, or save your cash to revive your players in-mission.

24 UNIQUE PLAYABLE CHARACTERS – Start the fight with Billy, Jimmy, Marian, and Uncle Matin. Earn tokens along the way to unlock a diverse roster of 20 more characters, each with their own playstyle and strengths. Strategically choose your fighting duo by taking into account each characters’ strengths and weaknesses.

ONLINE & LOCAL CO-OP – Grab a friend and clean up the city streets together with online and local co-op that supports up to two players.

SHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND REWARDS – Adjust game difficulty to affect the amount of tokens earned per session and use those tokens to unlock content from the Token Shop including characters, tips, and more. Modifier can be used to enter permadeath or even infinite mode.

SURVIVAL MODE – Test your might against a barrage of enemies in this wave mode that increases in difficulty the further you progress. Use tokens to unlock this mode, as well as special backgrounds during runs.

VERSUS MODE – Select two characters and upgrades to battle against your friends to prove who is the ultimate Dragon Warrior. This mode and special backgrounds are unlocked via the token shop.

Last evaluated Jun 22, 2026
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