Beat ’em up pioneer and Double Dragon creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto passes away at 64

The video game industry has lost one of its pioneers, as Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the creator behind some of the most influential beat ’em up titles, has passed away on April 2, 2026. The news was shared by his son via social media.

Kishimoto began his career in the early 1980s, working on Laserdisc FMV games such as Cobra Command and Road Blaster. Both titles were released in 1984 and later ported to the Mega CD.

However, it was in the beat ’em up genre where Kishimoto made his name. He was the designer and director of Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun, released in the West as Renegade. The game is widely considered one of the first true beat ’em ups, predating Final Fight.

Renegade introduced the belt-scrolling mechanic, allowing free movement in all directions, which later became a core element of the genre.

Kishimoto followed up with Double Dragon, originally planned as a sequel but later developed into its own series. The game became a global hit, achieving commercial success and spawning numerous sequels.

Among his other notable works are Double Dragon II, III, and IV, Super Dodge Ball, as well as arcade titles WWF Superstars and WWF WrestleFest.

In an official statement, his son confirmed a private funeral and thanked fans for their support and respect. He also encouraged players to continue enjoying Kishimoto’s works, including the Kunio-kun series and spin-offs like River City Ransom.

Tributes have already begun appearing across the industry. WayForward, known for River City Girls and River City Girls 2, expressed deep respect for Kishimoto, calling him a legendary creator whose work inspired generations.

Kishimoto leaves behind a lasting legacy, having helped define the foundation of the beat ’em up genre and influence countless games that followed.