Yoshihisa Kishimoto, co-creator of Kunio-kun and director on Double Dragon, passed away April 2 at age 64. His son broke the news on social media, a quiet exit for a man whose games were anything but.

Kishimoto built the blueprint for beat 'em ups at Technos Japan. Kunio-kun evolved into River City Ransom's RPG-brawler hybrid, teaching a generation to fight, buy weapons from shops, and grind stats mid-rampage. Double Dragon brought co-op chaos to arcades worldwide. Later, he consulted on revivals like River City Ransom: Underground and founded his own studio, Broshette, in 2010. No cause disclosed—just the facts.

X lit up with tributes: retro heads posting screenshots, devs nodding to his influence, fans in multiple languages mourning the pioneer. r/Games threads filled with memories of endless schoolyard brawls. In an industry chasing battle passes, Kishimoto's work stands as a participation trophy gaming never needed.