Rage of the Dragons Review: A Nostalgic Fighter Revived for Modern Times

Rage of the Dragons began life as an ambitious sequel to Double Dragon ’95, a fighting game spin-off of the famous Double Dragon genre. However, licensing issues with the Double Dragon IP, which had been transferred to a firm named Million, forced the developers to pivot. Unable to gain the rights, the Evoga and Noise Factory team revised the idea into a spiritual successor, maintaining unmistakable tributes to Double Dragon’s legacy while creating something legally separate.

The result is a game that captures the essence of its inspiration—brothers Billy and Jimmy are reimagined as Billy and Jimmy Lewis. At the same time, famous figures like Abobo are skillfully translated into Abubo. This ingenious solution allowed the developers to honour the essence of the original series while still giving Rage of the Dragons its personality.

Rage of the Dragons, co-created by Mexico-based Evoga and Japan’s Noise Factory, was a labour of love that merged Evoga’s creative foundation with Noise Factory’s technical expertise in visuals, sound, and programming. The game was released on the Neo Geo in 2002, late in the console’s lifecycle, yet it immediately gained a cult following.

Its raw sprite work, realistic animations, and mechanically deep gameplay stood out among contemporaries, bringing similarities to other Neo Geo classics like The King of Fighters and Garou: Mark of the Wolf. Despite its limited popularity then, the game’s complicated tag-team mechanics and roster of colourful characters left an indelible effect, confirming its place as a hidden treasure in the fighting game genre.

QUByte Interactive’s NEO version of Rage of the Dragons was released in 2024, bringing the game back to modern audiences. This re-release expands on the original game’s basis while incorporating improvements like rewinding net code, ensuring smooth online play—a critical feature in today’s competitive fighting game environment.

The NEO edition also includes features like a jukebox mode, configurable difficulty levels, and training modes with visible hitboxes, making it more accessible to newcomers while still appealing to long-time fans. These current changes come at a time when fighting games are experiencing a revival, with games like Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 already making headlines. Rage of the Dragons NEO, positioned as both a nostalgic throwback and a viable option for competitive play, finds itself in a crowded but growing genre, ready to take its place among the greats.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

At the heart of Rage of the Dragons is a dynamic 2v2 tag-team combat system that adds a layer of strategy not commonly found in typical fighters of the time. Players join teams of two fighters, and the ability to tag in and out gives conflicts a tactical edge. The tag system isn’t just for show; it’s built around a specialized tag meter, which requires careful management due to its cooldown time.

Characters resting on the sidelines gradually acquire health, rewarding players who time their switches strategically. The game’s “Team Duplex Attacks,” which pair canon duos like Billy and Jimmy or Cassandra and Oni for breathtaking, theatrical combo finishes, are unique. These assaults cause significant damage and strengthen the narrative relationships between characters, adding depth to their roster roles.

A hallmark of Neo Geo fighters, the game’s control layout is a standard four-button configuration for light and heavy punches and kicks. While it appears basic initially, the true depth resides in its intricate mechanics. Players can use dodges, rolls, and dashes to avoid strikes or reposition themselves. At the same time, counter-parries and ranged jumps provide tools for outplaying aggressive opponents.

The “First Impact” system is a prominent feature: pressing a certain sequence of heavy punch and kick buttons triggers a QTE-style prompt, allowing players to chain devastating combos correctly. This mechanic rewards precision and timing, making it a valuable tool for experienced players. Furthermore, combinations can be extended by tagging a teammate in the middle of a combo, seamlessly combining the game’s tag mechanics with its complicated combo system. This mix of tagging and combo execution distinguishes Rage of the Dragons from its competitors, offering a more fluid and entertaining fighting experience.

Like many Neo Geo and SNK fighters, Rage of the Dragons is undeniably difficult, particularly for newcomers. Button mashers seeking a quick win will be punished by the game’s harsh AI and precision. However, for those willing to devote time to learning its mechanics, the game provides extremely gratifying, deep combat. Rage of the Dragons has a steeper learning curve than titles like The King of Fighters or Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Still, it compensates with its unique tag – team focus and accessible training choices. Adding modern features to the NEO version, like on-screen move lists and hitbox displays, makes it easier for inexperienced players to get started while still catering to genre veterans.

One of the game’s most intriguing features is the “Surrender” mechanic, which allows a player to sacrifice one of their fighters during combat to give the remaining partner a huge advantage. This high-risk, high-reward option focuses on strategic decision-making—do you keep both fighters alive for variety, or do you sacrifice one to change the tide of battle?

This mechanic, combined with the game’s balanced attacking and defensive options, results in a dynamic flow of combat. Players must balance the potential for aggressive combos against the requirement for defensive play, using tools like rolls and parries to gain an advantage. The result is a system that feels deliberate and explosive, rewarding measured risks and expert execution.

Character Roster and Design

Rage of the Dragons features a roster of 16 fighters, including the previously unplayable bosses Abubo and Johann, who have now joined the cast. Each character is thoughtfully developed, offering a mix of traditional martial artists, oddball characters, and larger-than-life brawlers.

Billy and Jimmy Lewis, the renowned brothers, reflect the classic martial artist archetype, with their well-rounded move sets making them accessible options for newcomers. On the quirkier side, characters like Mr Jones, a striking kung-fu expert with a 1970s-inspired afro, and Alice Carroll, a psychiatric patient with a gloomy aura, add a unique flavour to the roster. Meanwhile, giants like Abubo unleash raw, lethal power, starkly contrasting lithe, fast fighters like Sonia Romanenko. This variety ensures that players with varying preferences can find a character that meets their needs.

The roster’s DNA is inextricably linked to its roots as a spiritual successor to Double Dragon. Abubo, for example, is a direct homage to the classic Abobo, preserving his towering, terrifying presence while adding some new design elements. Many characters also drew inspiration from well-known fighting game tropes, such as Pepe, whose regimented kicks resemble Kim Kaphwan from King of Fighters, and Alice, whose design echoes Orochi-inspired mysticism.

Beyond these inspirations, the game creates narrative linkages among its fighters. Canon pairs like Billy and Lynn or Jimmy and Sonia are mirrored in their tag mechanics (such as shared Team Duplex Attacks) and their storylines. Sonia’s love interest in Jimmy and Lynn’s admiration for Billy bring subtle dimensions of personality to the characters.

Each character in Rage of the Dragons has a particular play style. Speedy fighters like Sonia excel in fast combos and swift movement. Yet, heavyweights like Kang Jae-Mo or Abubo may dominate with raw power and deadly strikes. Characters like Elias, a priest with precise attacks, provide technical alternatives for players who appreciate meticulous gameplay. In contrast, more eccentric fighters like Pupa or Mr. Jones deliver odd move sets that force opponents to adapt.

The ability to mix and match fighters, whether using canon duos or experimenting with new pairings, lets players investigate complementary dynamics. A team combining a tank-like bruiser with an elegant, combo-heavy companion opens up many strategic options, ensuring that every player may find a pairing that matches their chosen play style.

Game Modes and Accessibility Features

Rage of the Dragons’ traditional arcade mode provides a distinctive Neo Geo experience, replete with unique endings for each team. It rewards players who see their chosen partnership reach the end of the ladder. However, this mode is not for the faint of heart since it features the notoriously cruel AI that typifies the era.

Input-reading opponents respond with near-perfect precision, making even the first encounters a trial for newcomers. While this difficulty may upset casual players, it delivers a strong challenge for core fans of the genre, similar to other Neo Geo classics like The King of Fighters ’98.

Including a robust training mode is one of the notable features of the NEO re-release. This mode, designed to accommodate both beginners and advanced players, provides many tools to assist players in mastering the game’s sophisticated mechanics.

On-screen move lists allow players to practice combinations without pausing. At the same time, damage counters and hitbox toggles provide a more detailed understanding of how strikes connect and do damage. These features provide uncommon clarity in previous fighters, making deconstructing the game’s systems and refining techniques easy. For veterans, the training mode is a laboratory for learning advanced combinations and tag mechanics.

Dragon Challenges provide a new spin on the standard survival mode, offering increasing difficulty levels and distinct rulesets for each tier. Some challenges, for example, include providing health or time benefits and motivating players to adapt their strategy to individual conditions. These challenges are an excellent method to increase end-game replayability, particularly for players who appreciate testing their abilities in unusual situations.

The NEO version contains several accessibility features that make the game more friendly while maintaining its tough core. Difficulty options range from easy to high, allowing players to gradually increase the challenge. Additionally, support features like health recovery, timer tweaks, and tag meter enhancements provide much-needed breathing room for players still learning. These features ensure that even the most inexperienced players can enjoy the game’s depth without feeling overwhelmed.

The jukebox function of Rage of the Dragons NEO allows players to sample and customize the game’s frenetic music, which is great for fans of personalization and extras. This modest yet thoughtful addition heightens the nostalgic experience. Furthermore, in-game accomplishments provide an additional layer of engagement, driving players to explore different characters and modes to unlock everything the game has to offer. While not groundbreaking, these extras contribute to a well-rounded product that honours the game’s legacy while catering to modern players.

Visuals and Audio

Rage of the Dragons’ visuals are a testament to the late-stage beauty of Neo Geo pixel art. The vibrant, richly rendered sprites are full of personality and flair, standing shoulder to shoulder with classic titles like Garou: Mark of the Wolves and The King of Fighters 2000.

The animations are fluid, from the delicate moves of agile fighters like Sonia to the powerful strikes of huge hitters like Abubo. The stage designs are equally outstanding, with dynamic landscapes and subtle elements that add to the sense of place—whether a bustling urban or a barren arena. Some stages even include breakable boundaries, adding an extra layer of interactivity to the normally typical 2D arenas. These visual aspects raise the game above its contemporaries and contribute to its cult following.

Rage of the Dragons’ character designs balance homage and innovation. Retro-inspired fighters like Billy and Jimmy carry on Double Dragon’s martial arts legacy, while more quirky characters like Mr. Jones, with his flamboyant disco style, and Alice, with her creepy, Orochi-like aura, provide a layer of originality and variety. Each fighter is distinct in look and animations and move sets, ensuring that the roster feels diverse and entertaining.

The soundtrack to Rage of the Dragons complements its high-energy gameplay with a mix of fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping tracks that heighten the excitement of each encounter. The addition of a jukebox mode in the NEO edition is a thoughtful touch, allowing players to sample and customize the music. This addition, albeit tiny, improves the overall presentation and reinforces the game’s nostalgic appeal for fans of old-school fighters.

Online Features and Multiplayer Experience

One of Rage of the Dragons NEO’s distinguishing features is its usage of rollback netcode, which is a current must for any competitive fighting game. Rollback guarantees that matches stay smooth and responsive, even when large distances separate players.

It achieves this by eliminating input lag and flawlessly synchronizing gameplay, resulting in an online experience that feels as close to playing locally as possible. This is especially vital in games like Rage of the Dragons, where perfect timing is required to execute combinations and capitalize on the game’s complex mechanics.

The game has a variety of online modes, catering to both recreational and competitive players. Ranked matches enable players to go from Rookie to Dragon rank, and casual matches provide a more relaxed setting for experimentation. Lobbies accommodate up to eight players, making them perfect for community and local tournaments for those looking to demonstrate their mastery.

Leaderboards provide another layer of competition. The match replay system is a novel feature, as it allows players to examine past battles and offers the ability to take control mid-replay to test alternate strategies—an excellent learning and adaptation tool.

Despite these rich features, Rage of the Dragons NEO has certain limitations. The absence of cross-play is a huge disadvantage, as it fragments the online player base across platforms. Raw men are also affected. Given the game’s unique appeal, this constraint can significantly impact matchmaking, making finding opponents difficult, particularly in ranked play.

While the rewind net code provides quality matches when players are available, the community’s modest size may make long-term online engagement difficult to continue. To properly enjoy the multiplayer experience, devoted fans may need to rely on local versus play or community-organized events.

Overall Strengths and Weaknesses

The deep and satisfying fighting mechanics in Rage of the Dragons NEO are one of the game’s best features. The game offers strategic depth that rewards talent and experimentation by combining sophisticated tag-team dynamics with advanced techniques like the “First Impact” system and combo extensions.

The vibrant pixel visuals and fluid animations, hallmarks of late-era Neo Geo games, enhance the experience even further with dynamic level designs and expressive character sprites that can compete with modern 2D fighters. The broad roster of 16 fighters, which includes recognizable characters like Billy and Jimmy, odd personalities like Mr. Jones, and heavyweights like Abubo, provides players with various playstyles to explore.

The current upgrades brought to the NEO version are also remarkable. The inclusion of sophisticated training tools—complete with on-screen move lists, damage counts, and hitbox displays—makes the game more accessible to newcomers. At the same time, rollback netcode provides a seamless online experience. These features, paired with the nostalgic allure of a remade Neo Geo cult classic, make Rage of the Dragons NEO an exceptional re-release in today’s fighting game market.

However, Rage of the Dragons NEO is not without flaws. The game’s steep learning curve and notoriously brutal AI can be a barrier for novice players, a hallmark of many Neo Geo fighters that have not aged well. Furthermore, the lack of cross-play is a significant drawback, as it fragments the player base between platforms and may impact the multiplayer community’s longevity. Finally, while the game’s unique appeal and retro charm will appeal to fighting game fans and gaming historians, its lack of mainstream awareness may keep it from reaching a larger audience despite its indisputable brilliance.

Rage of the Dragons NEO is a polished and meticulously crafted re-release that stands out as a competitive fighter and a piece of gaming history. While its difficulty and specialized appeal may put off casual players, it’s an important experience for fans of Neo Geo fighters, tag-team mechanics, and retro gaming preservation. It’s a vibrant, difficult, and satisfying addition to any fighting game fan’s collection.