My Played Video Games Review: Streets of Rage 2 for the Sega Genesis

Streets of Rage 2 is an action-packed, side-scrolling beat-'em up video game published by Sega for the Genesis/Mega Drive and developed by a specially selected team of developers from several companies like Sega, Ancient, Shout! Designworks, MNM Software, and H.I.C. It was released in 1993 as the sequel to Streets of Rage which I have posted about before.

If you could only play only one retro beat-'em up video game in your life, I think that Streets of Rage 2 would fill up most gamers' thoughts nicely.

The Story

Axel and Blaze hit the streets again with bigger, cooler, totally devastating attacks! With the ex-wrestler Max Thunder joining up with body slams and fist attacks. New kid Skate slices punks with high-speed skate attacks and spinning jump kicks. Go crazy with shattering, bone-busting punches, jump kicks, and street weapons. Smash them with a pipe as they attack you. Bust heads with a friend in an all-new 2-player versus mode!

The Graphics and Sound

The sprites look larger with more color than in the first game. I wish the enemies could have more variety to them.

The game moves at a side-scrolling angle, but you can move up and down in a level. The levels are detailed and take place in unique settings. But, all in all, the graphics look very good.

The game has got one of the best game soundtracks of all time. They all range in different styles, from techno to hip hop, and house dance music.

The music fits the action scenes so damn well. It is also great to listen too also and can be accessed in the Sound Test option in the options mode.

The sound effects in this game are quite good but they needed more variety. Basically, the same noise is heard again when someone dies. The other vocal noises are nice and sound realistic.

The Gameplay

Out of the Streets of Rage series (excluding part 4), this one has the best gameplay. It has those bone-smacking punches, tough bosses, and cool special moves.

There are four characters to choose from: Axel, Blaze, Max, and Skate. And each one is unique in fighting abilities. Playing the game through with each character feels like playing a new game.

There are seven different bosses that are pretty tough and fun to fight against.

The game is too short with only eight levels. The enemies respawn all the time and there is not much variety to them.

The controls are easy. There are only three buttons but you can do many cool moves.

Replay value is great. You will want to play it again after a while and with a friend if available.

My Verdict

Streets of Rage 2 could arguably be the best beat-'em up side-scrolling game on 16-bit consoles. There is nothing in this game that spoils the fun of kicking ass on your NPC enemies while listening to its good soundtrack music.

Play it on the lovable Sega Genesis/Mega Drive console or play it on any damn good emulator. Play it with a friend for that extra fun.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!