Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons from Secret Base and Modus Games was one of the best beat 'em ups to come along in 2023, featuring nonlinear game design, a variety of unlockable characters, and an excellent soundtrack. The only missing element was online co-op. That will finally change, thankfully, when the much-requested online multiplayer update arrives on April 4, along with three new characters and more. Double Dragon fans are in for a treat!
Details are a little light at present, but it seems that the free "Sacred Reunion" DLC will add online co-op, three new characters, a survival mode, and a versus mode. New upgrades (seemingly for all modes) and unlockable stages for Survival and Versus will further round out the package. Adding survival modes to beat 'em ups as DLC is a move pioneered by Streets of Rage 4 and TMNT: Shredder's Revenge - but those games charged for the privilege.
Of the three DLC characters, only one has been revealed so far: Yagyu Ranzou from the NES version of Double Dragon 3. Ranzou is a ninja, so he'll fit right in with Double Dragon Gaiden's array of fighters. He also appeared as an unlockable character in Double Dragon IV, so it only makes sense to let the guy join the Gaiden party as well. As for the remaining two DLC characters, the trailer reveals a silhouette that closely resembles Chin Seimei from Double Dragon 3. As for the third guy, it's anybody's guess. He could be Sonny from the Double Dragon 3 arcade game or Jeff from the original Double Dragon.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons sells for $24.99 digitally on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Steam. Physical versions for Xbox, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Switch cost $29.99.
The Steam version of Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is fully Steam Deck compatible, and it's on sale as part of the Steam Spring Sale. If you buy it now, you'll be ready for the big update!