Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
a game by Virgin
Genres: Action, Fighting Games
Platforms: Sega GenesisGenesis, SNESSNES, Sega Master SystemSega Master System, Atari Jaguar, GameGear
Editor Rating: 5.7/10, based on 7 reviews
User Rating: 6.0/10 - 2 votes
Rate this game:
See also: Movie-Based Games, Dragon Games, Jaguar Games
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

More than two years after the movie's release, Acclaim finally brings Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story home to Genesis owners. Unfortunately for fighting fans, the game is as disappointing as the movie.

Bruised Lee

In this side-view fighter, up to three players can battle it up, or up to two players can work together to combat Bruce's legions of enemies. The Story mode follows the stages of the great martial artist's life, from the dojo to the movie studio. To progress, you must defeat all Lee's adversaries in an episode. While you're in combat, the object is not only to win, but also to collect chi. The more chi you collect, the better Bruce fights.

Controlling Bruce can get rough. Initially, you'll helplessly watch him jump and flip all over the screen while your opponent sizes you up for the big blow. But once you get the hang of it, the moves are simple to perform. You'll be kicking up a storm in no time.

The graphics are average at best, devoid of the detail and imagination needed to fuel a fighter these days. The sound and music lack intensity. They're missing in action altogether in the eerily mute movie sequences.

Dragon Lacks Fire

There's nothing special about this fighter, other than the fact that it's about Bruce Lee. This martial arts demigod and his fans deserve better.

ProTips:

  • When you're in close, use fast moves like the knee lunge or quick punch. You can whack the enemy with multiple hits, then set up for a throw.
  • In the bonus round, hit the bottom pad for maximum points. Practice this round as much as possible: It's the easiest way to collect chi.
  • Learn the stomp technique. It's extremely important for finishing off your opponent

Download Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Genesis

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Game modes: Single game mode

Player controls:

  • Up, Down, Left, Right - Arrow keys
  • Start - Enter (Pause, Menu select, Skip intro, Inventory)
  • "A" Gamepad button - Ctrl (usually Jump or Change weapon)
  • "B" button - Space (Jump, Fire, Menu select)
  • "C" button - Left Shift (Item select)

Use the F12 key to toggle mouse capture / release when using the mouse as a controller.

SNES

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Pentium II (or equivalent) 266MHz (500MHz recommended), RAM: 64MB (128MB recommended), DirectX v8.0a or later must be installed
Sega Master System

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Atari Jaguar

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
GameGear

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

Bruce Lee was one of the greatest karate experts of all time. Now you have a chance to fight as the Dragon. You have a multitude of kicks and punches at your disposal. Some of Bruce's classic moves are yours to beat the heck out of your enemies. Power-up to go into Fighter or Nunchaku Mode. Bruce even makes his famous "Waa!" sound when he wins. Choose from either the Battle or Story version. This gives you the opportunity to follow the Bruce Lee story as told by the recent movie. If you enjoy a good kung fu movie, you'll have fun kicking the snot out of these guys.

THE GOOD

Plenty of bone-cracking kicks to make this game exciting.

THE BAD

Trying to hit some of those punches on the controller. It's harder than you think!

THE UGLY

When Bruce stomps on your head and gives it a good twist.

  • Acclaim for Genesis

The 2-D side-scrolling fighting game is pretty much dead, isn't it? And Bruce Lee is pretty much dead, isn't he? Take my advice. Forget all about this hard-to-control, boring fighter. Let the dead rest in peace.

  • Machine: Genesis
  • Genre: fighting
  • Players: 1 or 2
  • Publisher: Acclaim
  • Developer: Virgin

Over a year ago Virgin had planned to release Dragon, but couldn't get it out. Acclaim bought the game and brings yet another movie game to the home system.

Unfortunately, Dragon is the most simplistic side-to-side fighter I have ever seen. The characters and backgrounds look nice, but a year ago this type of game was stale. The fights are slow, repetitive, and entirely too long. With punches and kicks only hit from ultra-close range and annoying control features, Dragon is a real pain to play. There is a story mode that features scenes from the movie (ooh, surprise), which is yet another good reason to hate this game.

The one new feature is the 3 player battle, which would be fun if the fighting wasn't so pitiful. Bruce Lee fanatics are the only people who are going to get much pleasure out of this one.

The film Dragon showcased Bruce Lee's power. On the SNES, however, Bruce looks weaker than Lester the Unlikely.

Ten stages trace the film's plot, from Bruce's brawl with the sailors through the demonic finale modeled after Enter the Dragon. Although you can earn special weapons and techniques, like nunchakus, this shallow game is more of a beat-em-up than a true fighter.

Mediocre sprites, animations, and backgrounds provide the visuals, but don't expect to see blood. Decent martial arts music carries the audio, but the fight sounds are lame. Fans of the film may want to rent Dragon. All others should stick to the fighting legends of the gaming world.

ProTip: When the fight moves to the alley, focus on beating the first chef you fought inside.

Perhaps many of you have watched the film about the life story of well-known fighter Bruce Lee. And so this game is based on this film. The game itself is a fighting where the fights occur in film locations; for example, the first duel takes place in that very bar where your enemy will be the seaman.

The set of punches is not so large, but the pure kun fu techniques are well observed in Bruce Lee's movements. The most interesting part of the game it actually the story of our glorified fighter's adventures. But the opportunity of fighting sparring duels is available as well.

Not so interesting game but maybe fans of bruce lee or kung fu will like it.

Snapshots and Media

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Screenshots

SNES/Super Nintendo/Super Famicom Screenshots

Atari Jaguar Screenshots

Sega Master System Screenshots

GameGear Screenshots

See Also

Viewing games 1 to 2
World Heroes 2
It seems that World Heroes was just dying for a sequel, and here it is!
Tuff E Nuff
The game can be played with one to two real players. The game starts off with only four characters, but a Boss Code can unlock the other seven characters. The game has three modes: Story Mode, 1-Player to CPU Mode, and Multiplayer Mode. The fighting engin