Streets of Rage 3 (Genesis) Playthrough - NintendoComplete

A playthrough of Sega's 1994 Sega Genesis beat 'em up, Streets of Rage 3.
Played through as Axel on the normal difficulty level. I didn't bother with the secret areas in stage five, but I did get the best ending by saving the chief and city.
Dear God this game is hard. I got through it without having to continue, but my hands really hurt afterward! I've finished it on Hard before, but I wasn't wanting to post a video that would end up being over 2 hours long (and probably with several continues being used in the process).
It's a great game - the graphics are pretty stellar for a Genesis cart, and Yuzo Koshiro's experimental approach to the music is far more polarizing than the soundtracks for the first two Streets of Rage games, but even if it's not your cup of tea, there's no denying how impressive the use of the hardware is.
If you loved the first two Streets of Rage games and find yourself shut out by this one's difficulty level, I'd recommend trying the Japanese version, Bare Knuckle III. Sega took a page from Konami's playbook with the US release, and like The Adventures of Bayou Billy compared to Mad City, some masochist decided that Americans like their games so difficult that the Japanese version just wouldn't cut it. If I recall rightly, Streets of Rage 3's normal difficulty level sits about the same level as the hardest setting in the Japanese version. At least It's not quite on the same level as the botched Exile 2 localization for difficulty, thank god.
Some kind soul has hacked the Japanese ROM into English if you'd prefer to play it. Nobody would hold that against you. Going this route would also allow you to experience the characters, cinematics, and sound samples that were cut from the US release.
I really like this game, but the challenge level really makes it a chore to get through, and in my mind, really keeps it from ever reaching the superstar status of the first two.
_________
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
NintendoComplete (www.nintendocom...) punches you in the face with in-depth reviews, screenshot archives, and music from classic 8-bit NES games!
Visit for the latest updates!
/ 540091756006560
/ nes_complete

[@lovercanary6201]

You returned me to my old and old time of my childhood with a massive beautiful memories. Greetings from IRAN 🇮🇷 ❤

[@randombloke82]

What I don’t get is why they bothered with robot duplicates when they clearly already had regular cloning down to a fine art… *looks at the horde of Garcias*

[@Garyllaz]

Lmao underrated comment

[@whoisyouranime]

I love Bare Knuckle 3. I played that game like crazy when I was young. So much that my cousin hated playing with me over and over and over again. And then, when I played Street of Rage 3, I loathed it entirely. They took out the bomb opening with Axel punching the screen, changed the color of the characters, took out Ash and changed the character voices. I had to apologize to my cousin for all the years I asked him to play Bare Knuckles 3 with me.

[@NintendoComplete]

Some excellent improvements on the already well-refined mechanics of SoR2 are made here, but the difficulty can be really off-putting. It's like Bayou Billy - for some reason, someone in Japan thought that Americans enjoy bleeding hands and made it *stupidly* harder than the original version.

[@JohnnyOTGS]

Yes, this game was quite brutal. But it's also one of those games where it *makes* you play on the hardest difficulty in order to play the entire game.

[@kauanvictor2009]

🎦🎞️🕹️🍙🍥🍡🍣🍪

[@davidkruse4030]

The music suck

[@POLE7645]

Eight years late, but the reason is that there was something the Americans had that Japan feared: the rental market. That's why many games were made to be harder in their American release (and why the American release of Resident Evil didn't have auto-aim). They wanted to make sure that their games couldn't be finished over a rental.

[@iciouailleurs1977]

This game reminds me too much of my tender youth, and yes time passes much too quickly. What good and wonderful memories of the time. I still play it from time to time thanks to an emulator.

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

Why not just buy an original Genesis and some games before they get more expensive? It's worth it.

[@naasj3226]

Man this game is so much tougher than the 2nd

[@jballs5434]

Watching you destroy this game is amazing. I find the US release quite unfair in difficulty, but you blast through it like it's nothing. :D

[@therealtgvenom]

I actually like this game's soundtrack and honestly I feel it fits the storyline, because it feels more dark and edgier than the other two games where it was just saving the city. Now the stakes are higher than ever (the Japanese version you're practically saving the world from being nuked I think the story was that). So I would expect the soundtrack to sound more in your face, weird at times and thrashing. I mean could you imagine some smooth Jazz mixed in into Hip-Hop or R&B while trying to quickly defuse the bombs by destroying a hi powered robot controlled by an evil mob boss? I mean it's a lot better than what you're getting in video game music and in music in general today. Just boring trendy nonsense, at least they've tried with this soundtrack even if it was experimental

[@flufftroopers1197]

Shinobi Reverse is a banger though

[@majimamike4097]

I cant understand why people are bashing this game so much.It is great a solid sor game.The only negative thing about it is the difficulty even in normal mode it is hard to beat.Of course SOR 2 is the best in the series and the best beat em up of all time.

[@davidkruse4030]

The music sucks. This game is not as good as 2

[@dumiclumic4423]

Best beat 'em up in the world.

[@gulyasdavid6170]

A amazing beat em up

[@computergentle]

First stage there is an extra life right at begining when you enter the stage, right next to the 1Up is also an apple you can just about see both of the at the bottom of the cargo wooden boxes. I use to get Roo with a cheat however after the starting the game with Axel and the consequential defeat of Shiva i use to hold the button B until the next round begins and let go when it did, there you would hear the sign of a 1up life but actually it allows you now to pick Shiva as a character once you die (i then proceed to lose all my lives so i can be him). Even though he cannot pick up weapons he is to most toughest of the characters i would say he holds full strength of everything so range, power, speed, jump etc. In the japanese version you can play as Ash also with a cheat (who is a stage boss and not a main boss)

[@billmartovich9009]

My favorite part is the Rip Torn voice sample "BARE KNUCKLE" every 5 seconds or so

[@ytho3505]

I prefer Ground Upper! 🤣

[@kcsalyer19]

Great job beating this game without continuing,Alex! this game is really hard

[@p0zge]

Its pretty easy for me

[@kolossis8283]

It's not that hard, bro.

[@kcsalyer19]

@@p0zge well, that's great then

[@kcsalyer19]

@@kolossis8283 oh yeah?

[@p0zge]

@@kcsalyer19 do u play roblox?

[@DetroitAlan01]

Wah!!! Mommy, my ears hurt!!! One of the factors in SOR 3's high difficulty had to be the BGM. I realize some enjoy the music. But, I found it to be too much of a departure from the highs of Koshiro's previous offerings for this series. This, combined with the aggressive, overwhelming A.I., made SOR 3 one of the most unpleasant gaming experiences I've ever had. Kudos for making the game almost look fun and not so much like torture. Truly the work of a master.

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks! And yeah, I have to agree with the music. It's not necessarily bad, but it's not at all what I wanted. After SoR2, I think we were all expecting something a bit less experimental and a bit more face-melting.

[@richardslotboom9250]

@@NintendoComplete actually i really like this kind of music sounds like acid house but im a big fan of underground music

[@kelvinmoran3817]

24:32 when the floor sips

[@knuclear200x]

Man, i wouldve loved to see a Roo playthrough

[@kauanvictor2009]

😐

[@meachpieters4023]

Very good gameplay. I played all 3 parts of street rage. I only beat part 2. I tried beating this game on normal but I never got passed the 4 level the 3 ninja guys and Lisa and Mona on this difficulty those was the most pain in the ass bosses especially the ninja guys. I remember in the 2nd stage if you killed the guy but let Rod live you can play with him when you out of lives. Yamato guys one disappear and tries to attack you,2nd one double himself and tries a double assault. The third one turns red and throw daggers at you

[@gunbirsingh7669]

I love this game ❤️❤️in my memories

[@sonnyhernandez5002]

i remember this being one of the firt games where i played and really enjoyed. i think there was a way to play as shiva too after some random special level or event or something but my memory is so hazy from it being so long ago.

[@edwardgaines6561]

Most video games open up their intro stage with bright colors and great music. Think Green Hill Zone or Kingdom of Zebulous from _Rocket Knight Adventures._ Here, SOR3 opens up in a drab warehouse. Where are the bright lights, neon signs, and cityscapes?

[@trueneutral3092]

"most people do this, so you should too" is an awful way to think.

[@edwardgaines6561]

@@trueneutral3092 SOR3's soundtrack also went off the beaten path. Was that a good thing too?

[@MrMegaman0607]

@Edward Gaines Yes, it was the best soundtrack in the series

[@Jira75]

​@@MrMegaman0607it definitely was unique, but I don't think the Genesis was suited for SOR3's soundtrack.

[@edwardgaines6561]

​@@Jira75Not suited?! Then which console? At the very least, Koshiro captured that metal sound of the 90s at the time.

[@GuadalupePicasso]

A step down from Streets Of Rage 2, imo, mostly in the music, but also in some of the level designs (the strobe lights in level 2, as an example). Still a solid game, though; and, this video is an absolute blast from the past!

[@alvintanserchuen750]

23:02 Fly-kick their target but missed & end up jumping down to their deaths 😂

[@michaelcrandle1068]

Great game play as usual 😊

[@michaelcrandle1068]

Great ending to a great game 👍👊

[@jamesmoss3424]

The third street of rage game is still good. 😀👍🎮

[@christianpalmer225]

You know, after Dubstep was a thing, I appreciate this soundtrack a lot more.

[@MrS-kt4kv]

Ah yes the hardest challenge in the whole SoR series, enduring the bgm of SoR 3 stage 2

[@MVC2fan1]

For the Americans.

[@e.h.5680]

@@MVC2fan1 Nah, I am the opposite of American and I too find this to be just noise compared to the beautiful BGM of SoR2. (Iranian by the way)

[@Chaos1091]

I'm sorry but I died at 23:24 😂😂😂

[@jballs5434]

That part was hilarious. I love when the enemies kill themselves like that

[@JoshuaGanoTyraxLightning]

Is it just me, or does Axel look dopier in this game compared to Streets of Rage 1 & 2...?

[@ReccaWolf]

Awesome game. A total revamp from the older SoR series. ;)

[@Carlixyz]

I don't know How in those days I managed to get a japanese version (region free hacked I guess) although the "story" was impossible to understand ;) nevertheless I enjoyed so much it, I don't care what anyone says: deep animated movesets even for the time, great complexity of backgrounds and characters, what more can I ask? for me It's just a perfect game!

[@e.h.5680]

The worst thing about the American version is that to comply with "decency" conventions of the then American culture, women in this game show no skin!

[@Carlixyz]

It was a jewel from another time and space, even anime nowadays isn't as shocking as then... (with some exceptions obviously)

[@scuppo]

36:30 reminds me of the Mantis Lords

[@henshin120]

This game was hard as nails

[@rustywilliams2497]

Good game, but the music in this one is a step down comparing to the previous SoR games. Here it sounds more like a psychotic robot playing on a glitched synthesizer.

[@tauga1835]

childhood games

[@cadenmonier9557]

It came out in the u s on 3 28 1994, 10 days after the Japanese release

[@GaryBeltz]

What does the text say once the self destruct sequence starts after after the robot destroys the glass thing that Mr. X's brain is in? After "Well if I die you die goodbye!" ? I'm visually impaired and the shaking of the screen makes it hard to read even pausing doesn't really help

[@dastanbastan9621]

Brain: Well, if I die, you die. Good-bye. Axel: This guy never gives up. Let's get out of here. Skate: The place is going to blow up. Zan: He has activated the self destruct sequence. We must hurry or we will die. Blaze: I can't find a way out - all the doors are locked. Axel. Skate. Zan. What are we going to do? Skate: Gulp. I think we've had it. Adam: Hey little brother. You don't think I'd let you die, do you? Skate: Adam. Are we glad to see you. Get us out of here, fast.

[@GaryBeltz]

@@dastanbastan9621 thanks man

[@dastanbastan9621]

No problem, dude.

[@spoonshiro]

SOR3 is kind of butchered compared to the original Japanese version. Lot of plot was cut and they gave every enemy a ridiculous amount of health. Much prefer Bare Knuckle 3!

[@lordomachuthegreat]

Yamato was the HARDEST I never got past him

[@eugenehills8371]

Axel vs Alex robot 24:51 built-in roof

[@natalironaldo]

Adam is too busy doing bonsai to help

[@edwardgaines6561]

What the Hell is bonsai?

[@taylorl7368]

It’s a tree

[@asamiyashin444]

Yuzo Koshiro F-ed up the music of this game. I have never understood why he chose such awful music. Most of the tracks are just dumb noise. Nothing to do with the previous Streets of Rages. To me that is a very big flaw of this game.

[@UrbanAlchemystic]

I have to agree with you that I didn't care for the music in this game part 1 the music was absolutely perfect. I don't know what it is but it has that nostalgia feel it captures the music of that time of various genres. He dropped the ball with this one I ain't going to lie. I have to say the beach level I guess that's stage 3, I like the stage sevens music that has to be the best one on there stage 8 like my top 3. It just sounds very thrown together in this one. It's not smooth at all, gives me a lil anxiety. I really feel like she should have just kind of kept some of the the old music at least but remixed some of it a little or at least kept the same vibe.

[@66ixty9ine]

It's supposed to sound dark and gritty, but it just sounds bad ngl

[@t.castro4493]

It fits the atmosphere. Somewhat industrial and experimental sounding. Some of it is randomised. I appreciate and enjoy it, but it's not accessible as the other soundtracks.

[@dastanbastan9621]

I hope you will play the Bare Knuckle 3 at some point, it's so much better than Streets of Rage 3...

[@eugenehills8371]

Axel roo 12:10 club Lisa and Mona bar 🍺🍻🍺🍻🍺

[@Tuvgfxufihcyccgutm]

Yamato music Remix and the way he falls down is my favorite. yamato and the two copy ninja boss against you. If only they brought anime. today we have Tekken, tomorrow Streets Of Rage, and Mischief Maker. And Dual Heroes.

[@uptownlil]

1:18:03 Perfect

[@jpair205]

I never got a chance to play this one or 1 and I'm 36 my cuzz was telling me about this one in yhe 90's and one of my elementary class mates

[@LITTLE1994]

The third Streets of Rage, the black sheep, is difficult for the wrong reasons, and its story and music are awkward. But a cheat such as Super Zan will fix that well. I still play it, anyway. I heard this game was actually rushed.

[@davidbermudez7704]

You’re so awesome

[@trueneutral3092]

SOR2s music > SOR3 and it's not close. I liked techno, but it was out of place in streets of rage 3.

[@mikedski9698]

Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, Skate Hunter, And Dr. Zan! They're Out To Stop Mr. X Once And For All On The STREETS OF RAGE Once Again! STREETS OF RAGE 3! On Sega Genesis!

[@cadenmonier9557]

I don't think this game is as hard as some other people think

[@sirtieman]

tough words try it yourself then

[@thehumbleone1983]

❤️ SoR3 🕹

[@SegaAidan]

While i do believe this one has the best gameplay, i still like 2 more

[@eugenehills8371]

Go Axel

[@Imurge]

they should have just carried over all the original soundtracks from SOR2 over to part 3. i mean they brought all of the exact enemies so it's only right with the sounds that we know and love from part 2. and good lord they sure over do it when an enemy dies, too much screaming after they are already dead

[@holden6104]

I hated what they did to Axel's dash punch in this game.

[@DBoy2029]

If this was already asked, it probably got REALLY buried in the comments... What are the stars for in SoR3? Are they like a special level-up of sorts?

[@konradkubala51]

They give u new moves

[@66ixty9ine]

Every time you gain 40,000 points without dying, you get 1 star. They buff your dash attack Axel's star moves: 1 star = Same as 0 stars, but takes you forward farther 2 stars = Instead of an uppercut, the attack ends with a spin 3 stars = Same as 2 stars but you do a jumping uppercut at the end

[@DBoy2029]

@@66ixty9ine Neat.

[@bushidoman96]

I liked how they worked most of the star moves into SOR4.

[@Dreamcast_Nostalgia]

Esse tinha tudo para ser o melhor briga de rua, se não tivessem cagado na parte sonora 😢

[@TheJamie6666]

1 and2 still have the better Soundtrack especially the first game.

[@eugenehills8371]

Robot X robot 🤖🤖🤖 56:47 warning

[@eugenehills8371]

59:23 1:01:13 Jet 🚀 Rocket Adam helicopter 🚁🚁

[@michaelcrandle1068]

Don't take no crud from nobody 👊

[@Bubudeathdrums]

Is it a cheat or you can choose your special move when you do left/left and hit ??? you can do the two stars skills with only one star ...

[@dakodagayne9334]

Half circle forward, double tap forward x and you can do 3 star spinning uppercut without 3 star.

[@Bubudeathdrums]

@@dakodagayne9334 Hi ! thank you for the tip ^^ ( kind of Hadoken but hitting twice the hit button :D I'll sleep smarter :)

[@zerobeatw2059]

if there's one thing I DO like about the American version more... it's the "scope" of the story. keeping it in Wood Oak City just fits better than having stuff like the White House and all that involved. at least to me. that just seems like too big a scope for what Streets of Rage is supposed to be IMO. otherwise tho, I'll be damned if I'm playing this version lol. too hard. I usually have to play as player 2 when I get to the Ninja boss because I've run out of continues as player one.

[@paramoutarcanelegend]

Break dance practice, KZbin

[@nmpltleopardi]

Too bad we got this crap instead of "Bare Knuckle 3", the best commercial side scrolling beat 'em up ever made

[@sikeeljohnson8144]

Where is Streets Of Rage 4? I will subscribe then...? I'm gone watch Chakan...

[@kelvinmoran3817]

20:08 LADY ABUSE

[@erandydocarmo7288]

Cara vai até o options pra colocar as 5 vidas, mas deixa no normal kkkk vc so terá meu like quando zerar no HARDEST

[@frankparker1191]

Axel Stone's color swap in 3 was silly. They should have gave him a new outfit, not just the same outfit in a different color. Or just leave his original look alone, honestly it just feels lazy.

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 21:37

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 21:43

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 21:55

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 21:39

[@mexdrago3009]

Executing ff+Attack is so hard compared to Sor 3. I don't know why. After watching this video I don't see it used much.

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 21:58

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 22:03

[@БХТАХЯ003]

Rag3SEGA 21:45

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 21:35

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 21:44

[@БХТАХЯ003]

RagSEGA 22:00

[@bushidoman96]

I didn't see you use a vault once...

[@realderek]

Graphics are great, but the music really took a nose drive from the original game, and even number 2. Nice playthrough though!

[@ЧайкаРыжая]

КЛАССНЫЙ ВИДЕО ОБЗОР И КТО НИБУДЬ ЗНАЕТ КАК НАЗЫВАЕТСЯ ЭТОТ ВИДЕО ОБЗОР А ПРОСТО ИНЕРЕСУЙЮС А?

[@mydesire2324]

Iam falling in love on BLAZE 😍

[@БХТАХЯ003]

Rage2SEGA 21:46

[@back2the80s]

Cost over $200 online. No thanks

[@yoshitsune1184]

1:15:42

[@EnterAName1]

[@cadenmonier9557]

Skate is no good he's baaaad

[@kamenstoychev8375]

AAAAAAAAH Simulator 1994

[@kelvinmoran3817]

23:03 Dum Dum

[@The-Xclusiveeeee]

Man i never liked this one! watch the whole video and... Still hate it.

[@SHADOWofJUSTiCE]

according to the scrolls, your screen name means you shouldn't associate with Sega titles. by my research, you have some heavy sins to make up for. i'm willing to accept payment to put in a good word for you, though. we can negotiate price later...

[@NintendoComplete]

Oh no, why does this sound like the beginning of a Deliverance remake? -_-;

[@SHADOWofJUSTiCE]

@@NintendoComplete well played... leave it to the internet to turn something innocent like monetary blackmail into something dirty...

[@afriend9428]

*Bare Knuckle 3 is 10x better* 💡

[@ploxouyoutuber7970]

Nastolgia

[@eric12tidalog8]

Eric

[@AdfgfdgxGd7ewyr]

❤❤😚🇮🇶🇮🇶

[@martavioustisby4942]

Fight