It's always sad when a game developer dies, but especially so when that person is the founder of an actual genre. Yoshihisa Kishimoto is just such a person. He created the Kunio-kun/River City and Double Dragon franchises, and as such, is considered the father of the beat 'em up genre. Double Dragon was instrumental in popularizing cooperative multiplayer, so his influence even extends beyond the genre that he created. Lamentably, Kishimito died on April 2, as reported by his son.
The news of Kishimito's death was announced via a Facebook post made by the famed developer's son. Here is the translated post:
This is the son of Yoshihisa Kishimoto.
I am sorry to inform you that my father has passed to rest on 04/02/2026.
Thank you very much for everything you have done for me during my life.
Please forgive us that we will perform at the family funeral.
I hope you will continue to enjoy my father's works, including Kuno-kun.
Thank you.
Ryuubou Kishimoto
Here are some notable games that Yoshihisa Kishimoto worked on, with co-op titles in bold:
- Cobra Command (1984, Laserdisc) – Director
- Renegade (1986, arcade) – Director
- Renegade (1987, NES) – Director
- Double Dragon (1987, arcade) – Director
- Super Dodge Ball (1987, arcade) – Director
- Double Dragon (1988, NES) – Director
- Double Dragon II: The Revenge (1988, arcade) – Director
- WWF Superstars (1989, arcade) – Director
- Super Spike V'Ball (1989, NES) – Production Manager
- Double Dragon II: The Revenge (1989, NES) – Producer
- Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones (1991, NES) – Director
- WWF Wrestlefest (1991, arcade) – Director
- Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun (River City Renegade) (1992, Super Famicom) – Producer
- Super Double Dragon (1992, Super NES) – Direct Support
- The Combatribes (1992, Super NES) – Producer
- Shin Nekketsu Kouha: Kunio-tachi no Banka (River City Girls Zero, pictured above) (1994, Super Famicom) – Director
- Cowboy Bebop (1998, PlayStation) – Producer
- River City Ransom: Underground (2014, PC) – Creative Consultant
- Double Dragon IV (Pictured below) (2017, Xbox, PlayStation 4, PC, Switch) – Director
Although Kishimoto did not work on them, the two latest games in the Double Dragon series are Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons and Double Dragon Revive.
For fun beat 'em ups discussion, be sure to join the BEAT 'EM UPS! Facebook group.
Source: Timeextension.com