Back in 1991 SEGA unleashed a new gaming series onto the Megadrive – a series which would spawn two equally massive sequels and for me, a new way to play games with friends. Welcome to the streets – the Streets of Rage.
The first game of the series introduced us to three new heroes; Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding and Adam Hunter. Three cops who, fed up with the corruption and crime on the streets – controlled by Mr X decide to take matters into their own hands. Taking the fight to the streets, hand to hand combat ensures as the three heroes fight their way to a vicious showdown with the main man himself – Mr X. What followed was a stylish side-scrolling brawler one of the first on the Megadrive. Not only could you beat up opponents with a quick punch or kick – there were weapons including baseball bats, daggers and lead pipes to smash your opponents with.
The controls were fairly simple one button for attack, another for jump and one which would activate your special move. The special move just so happened to be a police car which would drive on screen, with a massive bazooka blowing all enemies on the screen away. It was the first of many side-scrolling brawlers, which would have you taking on three or four enemies on screen at any one time. It was also the first of many games where you would have to clear the screen of enemies before being allowed to move on. A simple button masher, which was hidden within the confines of a beat em up. However this would prove to be one of the most addictive side scrolling games ever made.
The graphics were fairly high end for its time with nice sprites for the main characters and the levels were nicely drawn making the streets come to life. In fact it was one of the first games I could remember to have graffiti scrawled on the walls as you walked past. This was a time where SEGA could seem to do no wrong with new games from them all ticking the right boxes. Yet for me Streets Of Rage and Sonic were the best of the best. These were the games I would play the longest on.
The action of the game, with larger than life bosses appearing at the end, the haul to get to the final confrontation with Mr X. It was escapism at its best and the best thing was you could play with a friend. Up until this game most of my multi player gaming was competitive. Games such as sensible soccer, where we would set up tournaments, taking each other on in a battle to the finish.
However with Streets of Rage a friend and me were able to work together to play through the whole game. Learning to work with each other to make it to the end. Sharing weapons, food to replenish health. Working as a complete team to beat Mr X. This would prove to amass into hours of play time, completing the whole game time after time in single settings. Doing our best to beat our previous scores.
The whole package was nicely put together, making me look at the games I played – wanting more out of a multi player experience, it was the first game to show me how much potential there is in co-op play, an area which up till now with titles such as Lost Planet 2 and Left For Dead has never really reached its full potential.
For me Streets of Rage will always be the first and possible best side scrolling beat em up. With so many cherished memories whilst playing the game it’s still a difficult one to be beaten, one which will forever remain on my playing list until I hang up my pad.
