Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls marks a significant departure from the series’ classic beat ’em up roots, transforming the Lee brothers into competitive fighting-game contenders. Players choose from a diverse roster of characters drawn from the animated series, each sporting unique special moves, combos, and fighting styles. The control scheme mirrors the familiar six-button layout popularized by Street Fighter, allowing for light, medium, and heavy attacks on both punches and kicks. This setup delivers a smooth learning curve for newcomers while still offering depth for seasoned fighters.

Match flow hinges on timing and spacing, as each combatant’s arsenal ranges from projectile-based attacks to close-quarters grappling techniques. Executing special moves requires precise input commands, rewarding those who master joystick motions with flashy finishing moves. Despite occasional input inconsistencies—common in many 16-bit fighters—the game remains responsive, making every match feel engaging and tactical. The inclusion of a two-player versus mode breathes new life into local competitive play, ensuring hours of head-to-head action.

Tournament mode guides you through a gauntlet of colorful opponents, culminating in the showdown against the malevolent Shadow Master. Each victory unlocks character-specific endings and unlockable palette swaps, adding replay value. However, the AI difficulty spikes unpredictably, sometimes leading to frustrating “bullet sponge” opponents that can stall momentum. Even so, practice mode and adjustable difficulty settings help mitigate steep learning barriers, offering a fair challenge for players of all skill levels.

Graphics

Visually, Double Dragon V capitalizes on the strengths of 16-bit hardware, presenting bold character sprites and fluid animations. Each fighter is rendered with vibrant colors and distinctive silhouettes, making it easy to identify moves and reaction windows in the heat of battle. Background stages—ranging from neon-lit urban streets to ominous laboratories—are richly detailed, featuring parallax scrolling and animated environmental elements that bring the world to life.

The pixel art strikes a fine balance between cartoon-inspired flair and gritty urban atmosphere, reflecting the tone of the animated series. Special moves are accentuated by flashy visual effects—lightning bolts crackle, energy orbs glow, and impact sparks fly—adding cinematic weight to each successful hit. While the animation occasionally dips into slight frame-skipping during particularly hectic on-screen moments, it rarely detracts from the overall spectacle.

Character portraits and menu graphics embrace bold line work and saturated palettes, paying homage to the show’s aesthetic while maintaining cohesion with the in-game pixel art. Transitions between rounds are accompanied by dynamic title cards and character close-ups, heightening the sense of rivalry. Though not revolutionary compared to contemporaries, the graphical presentation remains one of the game’s strongest assets, delivering a polished look that ages surprisingly well.

Story

Unlike previous installments that followed Jimmy and Billy Lee’s streetwise adventures, Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls draws inspiration from the eponymous animated series. The narrative frames the tournament as a final test organized by the nefarious Shadow Master, who plans to unleash a deadly virus unless his demands are met. This premise provides a clear goal: fight through a roster of ruthless combatants, thwart evil experiments, and ultimately save the planet from biological annihilation.

Each playable character boasts a brief biography, shedding light on their motivations for entering the tournament—whether it’s the Lee brothers seeking justice, Marian Lee fighting to protect her family’s legacy, or rival fighters out for personal glory. Story snippets and ending sequences, unlocked by completing the game with different fighters, offer additional context but remain relatively short. Fans of the animated series will appreciate the nods to established relationships and rivalries, though newcomers may find the plot lightweight.

Boss characters like the Shadow Master himself serve as imposing gatekeepers, with ominous cutscenes hinting at his diabolical plans. While the storytelling is minimal compared to modern narrative-driven fighters, it successfully provides enough lore to keep players invested in each match’s stakes. The game’s approach to story emphasizes action over exposition, ensuring that pacing never stalls between intense bouts.

Overall Experience

Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls offers a refreshing spin on a classic franchise, combining familiar characters with fighting-game mechanics in a solid tournament brawler. Its roster diversity and varied special moves invite experimentation, while local versus play guarantees competitive fun with friends. Though minor control inconsistencies and difficulty spikes can be frustrating, the core gameplay loop remains entertaining and accessible once you master the fundamentals.

Graphically, the game holds its own among 16-bit contemporaries, delivering colorful sprites, dynamic backgrounds, and impactful special effects. The audio design complements the visuals with driving music tracks and satisfying sound cues that punctuate each fight. While the story is relatively straightforward, the thematic ties to the animated series enrich the experience for longtime fans and lend an air of nostalgia.

For players seeking a retro-style fighter that diverges from the norm, Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls is a worthwhile addition to any collection. Its blend of character-driven combat, polished presentation, and arcade-style progression offers a fun, if occasionally uneven, journey through the tournament. Whether you’re a fan of the Lee brothers or simply on the hunt for a distinctive 16-bit brawler, this title delivers memorable one-on-one clashes and a solid dose of ’90s fighting-game charm.

Retro Replay Score

4.6/10