I have been playing a lot of Double Dragon NES lately. It's a nicely challenging game. The learning curve is smooth and I felt myself getting more proficient at the game.

Definitely my least favorite part.

I don't know if they're actually random, but it sure feels like it every time I've played that level.

I don't think there's a consistent way, but I've found if you jump kick right before the first block, you might be able to make it out safely. Part always gets me too, don't worry.

I use what they have shown on this video. Works every time.
Also, the video contains several other exploits you can use at the game if you feel like.

Jump kick all the way.

I have made some maps for this game.  You can find them at:

http://www.nesmaps.com/maps/Doubl...

This may not help you get past the part you are talking about, but at least you can see how the level is set up your strategy of attack

I usually avoid any and all FAQs/maps/hints etc, but that brick wall was going to force me to retire from the game forever.

I watched the video and tried his method of getting past the wall. It worked three out of four times.

I can get to the end, but always end up being one life short of winning. I get to the wall without dying, only to die once at the wall. The times I get past the wall without dying, I have a stupid death somewhere else. If only the game awarded an extra life at 50k points or something.

I went through the first few levels just fighting in the most efficient manner, and my score ended up being half what it is if I punch through the first two levels. I also barely crack experience level four by the time I need it (stage 3). The hair pull really does make the game much easier.

Aye. Extra lives would make this game a bit easier to beat.
Around half the times I play it, I end being one life short of beating it. And Jimmy cheats.

Machine gun Willie is a total prick and those blocks suck too. I just power forward with the jump kicks and I usually get through.

Willie has hair, so he gets tossed like everyone else.

I got to the end three more times tonight with no success. I keep getting raped by the wall. I get past the first section fine, but the second section hits me two or three times. Then I usually get an unlucky death during the fights before I reach the door.

My most recent try saw me fall off into the water not once, but twice in stage four. The game really does not want you to stand anywhere near an edge.

Even the last battle is a bitch. I kill off the waves of enemies, die to a machine gun bullet, then have to do the entire battle over again.

Regarding the maps by snesmaster...I've been meaning to tell you this for years Rick, but your  maps are the best on the net.  Nothing like a good map that uses actual game screen shots.  Even though I've finished all but 3 NES games, I enjoy looking at your maps, both for nostalgia purposes and for getting me interested in games I beat years ago.  Maybe they remind me of the old Nintendo Power maps...I dunno.

As for Double Dragon, I've beaten this game several times without any Game Genie/Save states/etc. back in the late 80s/early 90s and it was pure luck in getting past the wall sections and conserving those lives for the final battles.  Just gotta accept the randomness of it I guess.

Today was the first time I made it to the final battle with all three lives. I did get ganked at the wall again, but was only hit three times. I was able to get to the next door without losing the last 25% of my health, and I should be able to do this consistently. As long as only one of the walls hits me, I should be fine.

I can't seem to finish off the machine gun dude.

The other day, I was on stage 3, a stage where I really try to not get hit at all until the Abobos burst out of the wall. I often can only defeat them with maybe 10% health left. Anyway, one of the knife guys throws a knife at me, and I am cursing because I am not going to be able to dodge the knife in time. I accidentally did a headbutt, and I literally headbutted the knife out of the air! It was great, but I am not planning to make a habit of it.

On the stage 3 Abobos, I make sure my skill level is maxed and then take them out with the elbow move. Does the most damage per hit.

I try elbows, but I get hit just about as much as when I kick.

I can't stand this game. Got really far by being cautious and careful.
Then the time ran out. I didn't even notice the clock. Grrr!

I HATE that fucking wall! Which sucks, because I really like the game otherwise.

Double Dragon II is the one I always play. The tornado kick was a fantastic addition and I feel the game just plays smoother than the original. My only gripe is that the section of the lair with the disappearing platforms is just too damned difficult. The jumping has always been pretty awkward in that series, and for a section that requires precision, the controls just didn't cut it. I've only gotten past that section a handful of times even though I can get there on one or two lives without a hitch.

I give up on this game for now. It's just too frustrating to lose 3/4 of my health, or sometimes several lives, to the random blocks.