Yoshihisa Kishimoto, creator of Double Dragon, dies

Kishimoto’s career began at Data East, where he contributed to titles such as Cobra Command and Road Blaster. However, professional consecration came with the move to Technos Japan: here he created Renegade, known in Japan as Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun, introducing urban combat mechanics that would redefine the standards of arcade action games of the time.

International success was consolidated by the creation of Double Dragon, a franchise that became synonymous with the side-scrolling “beat ’em up” genre. Kishimoto had maintained an active link with his creatures even in recent times, directing Double Dragon IV and participating as a supervisor in the development of Stay Cool, Kobayashi-san!, an expansion of the narrative universe linked to River City Ransom.