Streets of Rage 3

Ever since SOR 3 came out in 1994 I wanted it. I never actually managed to get my hands on it until last year as it went for insane prices on auction sites and was very, VERY hard to come by in video game stores. Luckily for me I was given it as a present from someone clearing out their attic. I couldn't wait to get home and play it. All I could think about was loads of hours of solid beat-em-up action and a return of those ultra-cool tunes by Yuzo Koshiro that made the first 2 games so memorable.

As soon as I started to play I was shocked that Streets of Rage is actually a really, really bad game that may be impressive in terms of graphics but in regards to music and gameplay is far, far behind even the first.

First of all the game is just too damn hard. And you need to play it in hard mode otherwise you won't be able to get past level 5. And this time we're given a little bit more story and cut-scenes between the game levels. If you're playing the American or European release of this game I'd just skip these as they do not make sense and there are holes everywhere. The Japanese version (Bare Knuckle 3) has a different plot entirely and looks and feels like the REAL Streets of Rage 3.

In SOR 3 the story has Mr. X, in what limited capacity he now exists in, kidnap the Chief of Police and plant bombs all over city. He wants to replace high-ranking officials with evil robots. Or something! So, typically, the gang set about smashing the Syndicate AGAIN as their way of stopping him.

However, in Bare Knuckle 3 the opening cut-scenes with the nuclear explosion show the destruction of a city called 'Wood Oak' that was the first victim of a radioactive bomb powered by the newly discovered element 122, Laxine. The victims are given as an estimated 30,000 dead and 80,000 injured.

In a letter from Blaze to Axel she says that the Syndicate's laboratories seem to be involved in the research of Laxine and that a group in favor of a war with the country of Lima have captured the army general Petrov.

Mr. X tries to start a nuclear war by replacing the anti-war U.S. General with Shiva before a speech at the White House. In SOR 3 'City Hall' looks suspiciously like the White House so I'm led to believe that the level was just recycled and renamed.

In Bare Knuckle 3 you have to successfully prevent a devastating war by rescuing the general and the destruction in the city is just a slap in the face, while in SOR3 you basically have failed your task if you let the time run out (the General, now 'Chief of Police' is killed with poisonous gas). If you rescue the Chief in time you go straight to Mr.X's island lab, but if he dies you go to City Hall/White House.

Second, Yuzo Koshiro's music is HORRIBLE. What happened? The first 2 games had awesome music that showed what the meagre Sega Genesis was capable of. The man was truly a pioneer when it came to composing stunning music for simple machines. In SOR 3 there are no cool tunes at all. It's all pathetic, tepid Industrial junk that would sound rancid coming from an Atari. A MAJOR let-down.

SOR 3 also has deleted characters that feature only in the Japanese version. Namely the character of 'Ash' who looks very, very homosexual and resembles Bennett from Commando or one of The Village People. I guess the PC Powers That Be thought the Western World couldn't handle such obvious gayness. The dialogue is also censored and 'naughty' words are replaced with 'clean' words. Character names are also radically and inexplicably different.

If you want this badly then the Japanese version is the ONLY way to go. Seriously, it's a complete disappointment otherwise. I'm not saying that the Japanese version is great, it's only slightly better.

I love the "Streets of Rage" series. From the very first game, it pulls you in with its mix of gritty story and tight, satisfying gameplay. But the third entry, "Streets of Rage 3", might just be my favorite in the whole saga. Everything here feels improved - delivering punchy combat, vibrant music, stunning stage design, and a cast of awesome characters.

This time around, the plot is a bit more elaborate than before. Shady corporations are stirring up trouble, replacing key figures with robots, and plotting total control. It plays out like a sci-fi thriller - only presented through pixelated beatdowns and over-the-top brawls. Of course, this isn't "Game of Thrones", but for a beat 'em up, it's got enough intrigue to keep things interesting. That said, the story is secondary - the real heart of the game is still cracking skulls. You get four fighters to choose from: the nimble Eddie, the dependable Axel, the fierce Blaze, and the cybernetic Dr. Zan - each with their own strengths and weaknesses, making experimentation worth your while.

You can tell the devs gave it their all. The visuals are richer, the colors pop more, and the stages feel more alive - thanks to clever layering effects where foreground objects move separately from the background, creating a nice sense of depth. Characters are more detailed, and stage variety keeps the game feeling fresh. From shadowy bases to bustling city streets, every location feels distinct.

One of the best new features is the rechargeable special attack. No more sacrificing health to unleash flashy moves - just wait for the meter to fill and let loose. It's especially satisfying when you're surrounded and feel like Jackie Chan in turbo mode. And let's not forget the music - rhythmic, tense, and a perfect fit for the urban chaos unfolding on-screen.

As for difficulty - yeah, this one cranks things up. There are moments where you'll really be sweating, especially in single-player. The enemy variety is impressive - humans, killer robots, bosses with insane speed. It gets downright brutal at times, with waves of enemies forcing you to dance around the screen like you're on hot coals. They're fast, relentless, and numerous. But that challenge is exactly what makes the game so addicting. When you finally beat a tough level after a few "Game Over" screens - it feels earned.

"Streets of Rage 3" is a vibrant beat 'em up, a bold and brilliantly hardcore action game that's always a joy to revisit. It's a seriously cool end to the original trilogy (not counting "Streets of Rage 4", but that's another story). Great soundtrack, punchy gameplay, colorful visuals, and true old-school challenge. A certified classic - tested by time and fists.

10 out of 10.

Streets of Rage 3 is one of the most exciting video games! The characters, the action, the fighting, and the sure thrill of excitement makes this game a fun non-stop playing time! Below is a brief look how I think the game is!

Game Play: The game play is very good. There is really basic controls here and is easy to perform. Novice gamers should have a good time here!

Graphics: The graphics are wonderful especially for the Sega Genesis! The backgrounds are really beautiful!

Difficulty: The game is easy but as it goes on you find out that it will become more difficult!

Music: The music is great! Just fantastic catchy tunes through out the game! In My opinion its some of the best music ever in a video game!

Sound: The sound is great. Nuff said!

Overall: I have always loved Streets of Rage 3! If you like fighting and action adventure games then I strongly recommend you play this game!

To purchase this video game check out Amazon.com!