Streets of Rage (1991)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Streets of Rage (1991): A Side-Scrolling Beat ‘Em Up Classic

Released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Streets of Rage is a side-scrolling beat ’em up that quickly became a classic. With its iconic characters, catchy music, and satisfying combat, it’s a game that has stood the test of time.

Gameplay

Streets of Rage is a side-scrolling beat ’em up in which the player controls one of three characters: Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, or Adam Hunter. The player must fight their way through hordes of enemies in order to reach the end of each level. The game features a variety of attacks, including punches, kicks, and special moves. The player can also pick up weapons, such as knives, pipes, and baseball bats, to use against their enemies.

Streets of Rage is known for its fast-paced and fluid combat. The player can chain together combos to quickly defeat enemies. The game also features a variety of environmental hazards, such as spikes, traps, and moving platforms, which the player must avoid in order to survive.

Characters

Streets of Rage features a cast of three playable characters, each with their own unique fighting style:

  • Axel Stone: A former police officer, Axel is a powerful fighter who excels at close-range combat.
  • Blaze Fielding: A skilled martial artist, Blaze is a fast and agile fighter who can attack from a distance.
  • Adam Hunter: A former wrestler, Adam is a slow but powerful fighter who can deal devastating damage with his throws.

Development

Streets of Rage was developed by Sega’s AM7 studio, which was also responsible for the development of the Shinobi and Golden Axe series. The game was directed by Noriyoshi Ohba and designed by Yuzo Koshiro.

Ohba wanted to create a beat ’em up that was more accessible than previous games in the genre. He also wanted to create a game that would appeal to a wider audience, including both male and female players.

Koshiro was responsible for the game’s soundtrack, which is considered to be one of the best in the genre. The soundtrack features a mix of rock, techno, and hip-hop tracks that perfectly capture the game’s fast-paced and energetic gameplay.

Release

Streets of Rage was released in Japan on December 3, 1991, and in North America and Europe in 1992. The game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.

The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the Game Gear, Sega CD, Master System, Wii, iOS, and PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as part of Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection.

Legacy

Streets of Rage is considered to be one of the greatest beat ’em ups of all time. The game’s fast-paced combat, catchy music, and iconic characters have made it a fan favorite for over 30 years.

The game has also been influential on the development of other beat ’em ups, such as Final Fight and Double Dragon.

Conclusion

Streets of Rage is a classic side-scrolling beat ’em up that still holds up today. With its iconic characters, catchy music, and satisfying combat, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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