Set in a post-apocalyptic New York, Double Dragon tells the story of Billy and Jimmy Lee, twin brothers trained in the fighting style of Sou-Setsu-Ken. They manage a small martial arts training school, teaching their students in self-defense. One day, Billy's girlfriend, Marian, is kidnapped off the street by the "Black Warriors", a savage street gang led by a man named Willy. The Black Warriors demand the Lee brothers disclose their martial arts secrets in exchange for Marian's freedom. The Lee brothers set out on a rescue mission to crush the Black Warriors and save Marian.
The gameplay follows the Lee brothers as they use various techniques, from basic punches and kicks to invulnerable elbow strikes, and any weapon that comes into their hands, to pursue the gang through different locations like city slums, industrial areas, and forests, before reaching their hideout to confront the big boss, Willy.
The NES version of this game features an additional VS. fighting mode for one or two players. Players can choose from a field of six different characters (Billy and five enemy characters) and engage in a one-on-one fighting match. The goal is to punch, kick, jumpkick, and use weapons until the opponent's health bar is fully drained. The winner is the last one standing.