Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones

Game Overview

Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones (known in Japan as Double Dragon III: The Rosetta Stone) is a 1991 side-scrolling beat ’em up developed by Technōs Japan for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Published by Technōs in Japan and Acclaim Entertainment in North America and PAL regions, it is a parallel project rather than a direct port of the arcade game Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone.

Set one year after Double Dragon II, the story begins when Marian is abducted from the Lee brothers’ dojo. A fortune teller named Hiruko reveals that the kidnappers demand three Sacred Stones of power in exchange for her release. Billy and Jimmy travel across the United States, China, Japan, Italy, and Egypt, battling street thugs, martial artists, ninjas, and other foes. Along the way they defeat and recruit two new allies: Chinese martial artist Chin Seimei and Japanese ninja Yagyu Ranzou. Players can switch between all four characters at any time, each with unique health, fighting styles, and limited-use secondary weapons (nunchaku for the Lees, iron claws for Chin, and shurikens for Ranzou).

Combat returns to the classic punch-and-kick button layout with new moves such as running jump kicks, wall-assisted triangle kicks, mid-air somersaults, and cooperative special techniques in two-player mode. The game is notably difficult, offering only one life per character (with limited continues later) and aggressive enemy AI. It is widely regarded as the most technically advanced of the three NES Double Dragon titles.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
  
• Japanese Title: Double Dragon III: The Rosetta Stone
  
• Platform: NES / Famicom
  
• Developer: Technōs Japan
  
• Publisher: Technōs Japan (Japan), Acclaim Entertainment (North America / PAL)
  
• Release Dates: Japan – February 22, 1991; North America – February 1991; PAL – November 24, 1994
  
• Genre: Beat ’em up / Action
  
• Players: 1–2 (simultaneous co-op)
  
• Modes: Single-player, 2-Player A (no friendly fire), 2-Player B (friendly fire enabled)
  
• Stages: 5 missions (USA, China, Japan, Italy, Egypt)
  
• Playable Characters: Billy Lee, Jimmy Lee, Chin Seimei, Yagyu Ranzou
  

Key Features

• Simultaneous two-player cooperative play with optional friendly fire
  
• Ability to recruit and freely switch between four playable characters
  
• Character-specific limited-use weapons (nunchaku, iron claws, shurikens)
  
• Classic punch/kick controls with new moves including running jump kicks, triangle kicks, and mid-air somersaults
  
• Cooperative special attacks available in two-player mode
  
• Five international missions with distinct environments and enemy types
  
• Pick-up weapons from defeated enemies (knives, bottles, sais, etc.)
  
• High difficulty with one life per character and limited continues
  

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

How many stages are in Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones?

There are five missions set in the United States, China, Japan, Italy, and Egypt.

Can players switch characters during the game?

Yes. After defeating Chin Seimei and Yagyu Ranzou as bosses, they join the party. Players can switch between Billy, Jimmy, Chin, and Ranzou at any time via the Select button.

Why is the game considered so difficult?

Each character has only one life. There are no continues until the later stages, enemies are aggressive and numerous, and falling into pits results in an immediate game over.

What is the difference between the NES and arcade versions?

The NES version was developed separately by Technōs Japan and features different gameplay, character recruitment and switching, no item shops, revised controls, and a rewritten English story focused on rescuing Marian.

What special weapons do the characters use?

Billy and Jimmy can equip nunchaku, Chin Seimei uses iron claws, and Yagyu Ranzou throws shurikens. These secondary weapons have limited uses per stage.