STREETS OF RAGE 3 - Why were people OUTRAGED!? - SEGA GAMING HISTORY

#StreetsOfRage3 #RetroGamingHistory #SegaHistory
Today, Top Hat Gaming Man discusses the history of Streets of Rage 3 and discusses why it caused outrage.
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@TopHatGamingMan
A man in a top hat, with a dashing moustache or a highly distinguished beard, reviews rare video games in his massive collection. Appreciate the finer things in life! Top Hat Gaming Man travels around the globe, playing the best games for the handhelds around the world. The best games are like fine wines and only get better with age.
Gameplay Sources
Streets of Rage 3 Gameplay -RetroGame Challenge - • Streets of Rage 3 - HA...
Streets of Rage 3 Gameplay - PugmanPlays - • STREETS OF RAGE 3 (Meg...
Streets of Rage 3 Boxed - retromegabit.com/tag/bare-knu...
Streets of Rage 3 Gameplay - Final Crash - • Streets of Rage 3 - De...
Streets of Rage 3 Gameplay - Ktokolwiek1992 / BoggyTheWorm - • Bare Knuckle III - Ash...
Streets of Rage 3 Gameplay - Carls493 - • Bare Knuckle III EN Ha...
Additional Info Sources
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streets...
streetsofrage.fandom.com/wiki...
segaretro.org/Streets_of_Rage_3
tcrf.net/Streets_of_Rage_3
www.nintendolife.com/news/2019...

[@thisisbigwasteoftime]

8:48 You actually had to defeat the clown and not the Kangaroo otherwise you wouldn't unlock him.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

I am 100% in favor of beating up clowns.

[@roboyle]

Came to say the same thing... if Roo dies before his master, he is not selectable later.

[@smash461986]

Beat me to it

[@willn8664]

Thank you for bringing this up.

[@Eddyhartz]

Nobody gonna mention super saiyan axel?

[@miltontavares9506]

I actually like Streets of Rage 3.I wasn´t outraged about it back then.

[@brpadington]

I remember liking 2 better but I never hated 3 at all. I liked the unlock-able characters.

[@Tiripsroirraw]

me too

[@alienbishop]

I always thought third is the best one, especially visually, the only thing I loved more from previous entryes, was music

[@nettojms5083]

@@alienbishop The 3rd one is the best for me because of the gameplay, it's fast paced, on the other hand I'm not even able to LIKE the second one for the same motive, it's SLOW, the characters stop for a while after a puch, I wasn't able to enjoy the game because of that. But don't get me wrong, everything else was great, it's a great route to take on Streets of Rage Remake, Great OST, great Ambience, and the SoR 3 gameplay.

[@CassandraCarter]

Streets of Rage 3 was my first one in the series and I loved it.

[@heardofrvb]

I don't see how things like running, side rolling, and a health-saving special meter are "more of the same thing".

[@Zeeblud-Music]

Yea exactly

[@flashfoward88]

Dont forget new blitz attacks and weapon moves

[@BelartWright]

@@retrosoul8770 I'm glad people are starting to see this.

[@argop4518]

You can perform 3 different dash attacks from the get-go by holding X and pressing d-pad.

[@ApeCaesarBlogspotApeCaesar]

Here after playing streets of rage 4 (excellent), but all those things were removed. Looks like a sequel of SoR2

[@7t2z28]

I have a feeling that the character "Ash" would result in WAY more backlash today than it did (not) get back then.

[@kaimengquek1952]

7t2z28 ash was so awesome..it was only a couple of years ago that I realised he look just like hardogay

[@solemagus4761]

Today he would be Canon

[@matthewalston7234]

No, the opposite is true.

[@TheDancerMacabre]

People would embrace Ash's campy nature. Give him a full moveset and I would only play him!

[@jrr7031]

Yea, see my comment about the history of SNK's "Poison" character. Lol

[@khamankhoma8232]

This was actually my introduction to the Streets of Rage series so I never experienced the whole mixed reception thing, I just thought it was awesome and was amazed at how much content it had for a beat 'em up.

[@bruceleeds7988]

I can completely understand that from that perspective

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

@@bruceleeds7988 What's sad is once you find out about the changes it makes you mad. You realize that's when Sega was changing and not for the better.

[@Apanblod]

Same here, I have played SoR 2 a lot later in life but I honestly think 3 is a better game. Harder, faster, more varied and can't be exploited as easily as 2. In the second game many bosses/enemies can be killed off screen using Max's dash attack in the far edge before the boss has a chance to get back into action. Takes some of the fun out of it. The only two things I can say 2 did better was the music (with a few exceptions) and that Max isn't in it (despite the aforementioned cheese).

[@bruceleeds7988]

@@Apanblod You sound like a guy who NEVER played SOR 2 on Mania mode without cheats

[@duncanskippers3130]

I played SOR3 before i got SOR2 as a Christmas gift. SOR2 will always be my favorite just because of the memory that got it as a Christmas gift. I regret the day i started swapping games and never getting my games back from f*cked up kids.

[@excessofficialTV]

More characters, more moves, more extreme, more experimental... Streets of rage 3 was simply "more" in all the ways.

[@GisherJohn24]

I loved how it played, but I despised the soundtrack. SOR2 spoiled my ears.

[@excessofficialTV]

@@GisherJohn24 Can understand that. SOR1 and 2 have "dance" tracks, the influences and approach are not the same on the third episode.

[@HexenStar]

Including more developer laziness. And when i say "more" - i mean MORE.

[@alexojideagu]

@@GisherJohn24 I didn't love 3 played. It felt fluffy. The punch FX were poor. SOR2 all the moves have impact and great sound fx

[@KirkLee1983]

2 was better

[@burningheart2909]

"Looks too similar to it's previous version, possibly same gaming engine." (Super Mario heavy breathing)

[@retroshane8844]

Bare Knuckle 3 is an underrated and underappreciated classic. There's a few factors why: Late release in Megadrive life - fewer played. It followed SOR2 and SOR3 got butchered from its Japanese counterpart - storyline, ridiculously high difficulty, change of character clothes - those that did play it didnt enjoy it! The music always gets used as a scapegoat but it never got a chance to be great because of the other factors above, gamers time was never invested into it like SO2. SOR3 music is just as brilliant and revolutionary - they did it again. Geniuses. I encourage everyone to go and play Bare Knuckle 3, its fantastic.

[@siegfriedc2332]

Does a translated version ok bk3 exist?

[@retroshane8844]

yes there is one!

[@siegfriedc2332]

@@retroshane8844 Is it available on Fusion emulator?

[@FireCrisps]

The music was just way ahead of its time. SOR 3 fighting mechanics with the addition of the power meter and blitz moves that leveled up made it the most fun of the series.

[@gjergjaurelius9798]

Love the soundtrack. Shinobi reverse is my favorite.

[@Tiripsroirraw]

love the soundtrack also, the music for SOR3 was very popular during that time period. If you heard of DJ Junior Vasquez, his style was sampled for SOR3

[@itsweirdinhere7397]

@Nero Mauritzen i agree

[@devzeppalin]

I didn’t know the 3rd one received so much backlash, I loved each entry including this one as a jit.

[@yosefyonin6824]

it did for me, i always heard complaints how this game is unfailry difficult, and now we know way - idiot localizers

[@MysticClaws100]

I've definitely heard that the 3rd game was controversial

[@Igorsov]

That’s because there was none. It’s just fake news to get more views.

[@Tiripsroirraw]

I didn't notice the backlash until I started joining SOR Communities, I decided to make my own SOR3 community if anyone is interested. let me know

[@EQOAnostalgia]

@Sleeping It did, mostly from loudmouth AAA journo's though and we all know what scumbags they all turned out to be.

[@Ky0usha]

You forgot to mention sor3 alternative routes like how you can break walls in the shinobi house area, how a few weapons can function differently on all characters, and the fact that you can enable super axel skate and zan

[@jacobharding7422]

man the music in this game is incredible, sure it isn't as dancy or catchy as the previous titles, but it's gritty, breakneck, hypnotizing, and sweat-inducing; it really adds a whole new dimension of atmosphere to the game that I would argue the previous two didn't have

[@mandingojd]

Them: the soundtrack to Streets of Rage 3 sucks and doesn't even sound like music. Me remembering fighting the guys with jetpacks thinking to myself this music lit AF...

[@Djsatile]

CEWIIH i say lit and im 35

[@MrStabby19812]

@@MorrisseyMuse I've never seen a copy in the wild. I only saw pictures in catalogues

[@RobertPayne556]

Had all three for the MD. Still fun.

[@Onmysheet]

If you listen to the soundtrack alone without playing the game it all clicks better.

[@TheBmills415]

Man that fight is soooooo fuqqin lit!!!!!!

[@kingbeef5076]

The combat in streets of rage 3 is much improved over 2. The extra movement options mean you can actually evade a large group of enemies unlike in 2 where sometimes you just have no option but to eat a few punches. The music is fantastic but certainly takes some getting used to. It's much more complex than the previous games and it takes a while for your brain to work it out. I think the thing that mainly makes 2 stand out from 3 is the graphical style. They gave 3 a more muted colour palette which makes it look a lot harsher and realistic. 2 has got much brighter and more memorable graphics. 3 wasn't really made for mass market appeal, but rather for people who spent a lot of time with it, even if the developers probably didn't intend it.

[@superspecky4eyes]

I think the limited movement in SoR2 makes it more tactical, and makes you have to manage enemies in a smarter manner. Also, I don't like that the characters cycle through their combos automatically, even if you don't make contact with an enemy.

[@tessatessa3894]

Payne, I can't feel my impact when I hit enemies.

[@jrr7031]

@@superspecky4eyes exactly.......the OP must have never played "Mania" difficulty on SOR:2. That will test your abilities!

[@dariotozzihace11anos2]

@@jrr7031 The game is hard enough on normal... Anything above is just to flex

[@Xeritium]

Man, this game had so much good going on in it. It's wild to think about a game like this having multiple endings like this did. The combat system was top tier. It spoiled me lol. Any other beat-em-up that came out didn't come close to this. And idk why people are salty about the soundtrack. Sure, it may not be as iconic as SoR2's OST, but this was still good. Idk, maybe I'm biased lol. I played the absolute mess out of this game as a kid and even on emu's as I got older, it's one of my all time favorites.

[@Ragan31687]

I did too. One of my favorites

[@Yusukeleon]

Action wise SOR3 is the best (Got run function too~)

[@LowellLucasJr.]

I wouldn't say SOR3 caused Outrage, but it sure got Weird!!! From a series of save the city to save a comrade- we got a very different game with little in common to the 1st two. In all honesty...its very hard to top SOR2: That game was a masterpiece.

[@JohnRyder-]

The story is really weird and crazy in SoR3, but the gameplay is awesome. Its my highest rated Street brawler.

[@DAM251983]

2 was the best imo.....3 wasn't bad though

[@GamezOfWar]

I was never outraged, it’s my favorite in the series..always has been!

[@PaulosTheGamer]

Same :D

[@bassettgames8076]

I think it's too easy to die

[@DNGMaestro]

No one was.

[@thundreds69]

Too easy to die

[@aidyplays1013]

for you saying its too easy to die, just tone the difficulty down and learn the enemies.

[@0DarrenMeredith0]

I loved this game so much it was the one we replayed the most. The music is so iconic. The fight with the twins really was the best enviromental music to enhance the situation.

[@liukang3545]

l0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000l

[@roytx26]

I loved Streets of Rage 3 almost as much as Streets of Rage 2 I don’t understand the hatred.

[@happyspaceinvader508]

Well, it’s all explained in the video. You watched the video, right?

[@MijinLaw]

I'm glad for this video because I remember the outrage but didn't get it at the time or for the...geez...26 years since. One thing I remember being weird at the time is several reviews said it was far too easy but then I played it and found it to be by far the hardest game in the series. Now I feel validated by hearing they changed the difficulty during localization.

[@rowlandbuck2703]

I know I beat 1 and 2 but never got close to beating this one. Way too hard.

[@nettojms5083]

@@rowlandbuck2703 I think I beat the Japanese version only, lol

[@TheBmills415]

@@rowlandbuck2703 I nvr beat the 3rd one without lvl select

[@HarryToeface]

Unlocking characters and beating them with each character made it an obsession for me

[@TheBmills415]

Same here

[@BlueRangerCollegeKids360]

Hi guys. How are you guys doing? I want to ask is there a way to unlock the bad guy Shiva on Streets Of Rage 2 and Streets Of Rage 3 and are you guys like totally excited for Streets Of Rage 4 release on April 30th 2020? That's freaking sweeeeet. I'm totally excited. 😍

[@LemontLMontyJohnson]

CEDRIŚ CORNELIUEŚ JEFFYJEFF ROBINSON Shiva from SOR 2 is not a playable character. But to unlock him from SOR 3, you would need to hold down B after you defeat him until the next stage starts.

[@BlueRangerCollegeKids360]

@@LemontLMontyJohnson ohhhh. Can you tell me Which stage friend? 🙂

[@LemontLMontyJohnson]

CEDRIŚ CORNELIUEŚ JEFFYJEFF ROBINSON the very first stage.

[@LWAigasu]

Not enough people talk about the characters moves list. In part 3, not only did they have special finishing type moves, but they brought back moves you could only do in the first game, and added a special move with every weapon you could pick up. Also, Shiva was really fun to play.

[@ArchAngel85]

I never played 1 or 2 so I wouldn't know what to be "outraged" about. I started at 3 and I enjoyed the game and still play it to this day.

[@corvaliis]

I grew up playing 3 and 1 and I always loved 3. It was gritty and I loved the music.

[@heavysystemsinc.]

I like the music in part 3 and part 3 feels more solid control wise to me. With the main plot involving robot invasions, I think the choice to make cold, robotic music a good choice and it worked really well for me. I find myself listening to the OST for part 3 on it's own far more than part 2 these days as they sound interesting on their own.

[@YourIdeologyIsDelusional]

If Sega ever decides to make a Streets of Rage 5, I really wish you'd do a few tracks for it.

[@rixenoshivaz]

The running and blitz mechanics feel so jank on this game

[@enthrallingusername]

Streets of Rage 1 will always be my favourite. The music, look and overall feel does it for me. The other one's are great but the 1st is my favourite.

[@liukang3545]

first game was epic, second one decent, the third game was pure garbage hahahaha

[@FroMarty]

There is just something about the small sprites and giant bosses in SOF1 that is so intimidating and atmospheric. Plus those bouncing fire jugglers freak me out too

[@darnellcalbert2563]

the music on the game definitely has that 90's sound too it.

[@ouranos0101]

SoR3 was actually the best and most mature version of the game. Loved everything about it. Especially the music.

[@liukang3545]

hahahaha

[@SonGokuBlack93]

no way

[@willn8664]

Shiva should have had more moves in this game. He's still a badass though.

[@PhilMcCool]

He has a full moveset on Streets Of Rage Remake

[@ItsMattyYo]

Yeah I never understood why they didn’t keep his flaming spin kick. Both his stationary and directional specials were the same move

[@peposo7]

When I played him the 1st time, it seemed like a half-done character. Became boring quick.

[@Blit-X-TVLive]

@@peposo7 He IS half done.

[@ProgrammedForDamage]

I liked how the enemies could grab any food that you uncovered and didn't eat. It was clever and caught me off guard the first time I saw them do it. My brother has Bare Knuckle 3 and Streets of Rage 3 and said they're like two different games.

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

That's just it in a vacuum where the Japanese version simply didn't exist Streets of rage 3 would be fine if not a good game. but between comparing it to the previous English version not to mention the Japanese version Streets of rage 3 was easily the weakest version.

[@Iceferno]

A friend of mine suggested your video, great work. :) SOR3 doesn't get enough love. I personally enjoy it, though tend to play Bare Knuckle III. SOR3 on Normal is very tough, and I've made it to the final boss for the good ending before. I'm also working on an alternative soundtrack, and your vid's inspired a good mood to return to my tracks, so thanks!

[@alexandrdemidov4372]

SoR3 is a hardcore masterpiece. Like it so much.

[@Tiripsroirraw]

agreed

[@bartdierickx5150]

I like the music from sor 1 the most. The geaphics from the 2nd. But the gameplay of the third the most (the music the least). There is simply so much more depth thanks to added character progression and extra moves (special moves, running and dodging. Dodging, especially, really adds so much more).

[@rig85]

I’ve played SoR 1-3 the last two weeks, and I 100% agree with your comment. I was about to type something like this out. Nailed it.

[@The1uptriforce]

Bare knuckle 3 has grown on me music wise the whole series is amazing IMO.

[@RotaAbyssian]

I'm largely the same, but I'd say that 3 has the unfortunate distinction of having the only songs in the series that I genuinely don't like(TUNNELWAY, for starters.)

[@c00lhand208]

I appreciated the small combat and scenery detailing improvements, but that’s about all. Still very much prefer the music and story of Streets of Rage 2.

[@flewis02]

Streets of Rage Remake is the best thing ever

[@NewportBox100s]

Tell me more...

[@ZeroGRacer]

Is it hot? Which system? I want to play that!!!!

[@NewportBox100s]

@@ZeroGRacer PC

[@taskmaster3771]

its free

[@ZeroGRacer]

@@taskmaster3771 So both of you are telling me. It's on PC & it's for free!? LOL Here I am like a log, Thinking I need to purchase a CD or Cart of some type... LOL! I do need a new controller for my PC.. May purchase an X Box Controller. There's some Street Justice I need to attend to!!

[@maxmatson1578]

The brain in the tube, makes me think of "RoboCop 2"

[@BomberMonkAssassin32]

You mean what OCP did to druglord Cain Oh yeah why did they make Mr.X a brain in a jar in SOR 3 i'll never understand that

[@RobertPayne556]

He got bust up pretty bad in SOR2, and 1 to be fair. Guess his accuracy is a bit poor with the Tommy gun.

[@lilrogersthetaskmaster201]

Was great game in my opinion. It had it own style and music. It was a much darker game and tone. I loved the music.

[@ChromeKong]

I was not aware of the censorship being so harsh. But to be fair, cutting out that gay character to me seems more of a pro LBGT move, because he could be seen as an insulting stereotype.

[@erick103]

Nah he's a cool character. I wish they left him in.

[@aalloy6881]

He was. That was the whole joke. Ash was to homosexual men what Mort Goldman from Family Guy was to jewish-americans...

[@joshposh7239]

I remember that streets of Rage 2 was always $70 for the longest time.. even when streets of rage 3 came out it was still expensive

[@Loundsify]

Insane prices if you count inflation. Talking well over $100 for a game in today's money.

[@davidb.8948]

Even Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition was $70 I believe.

[@joshposh7239]

@@davidb.8948 special champion edition was $75 forevvvverrr

[@davidb.8948]

@@joshposh7239 but I bought it anyway!

[@williamandrews5798]

I don’t see how people became outraged over Streets of Rage 3. You got to unlock and play as a kangaroo wearing Everlast trunks and boxing gloves! 🤷‍♂️

[@Tiripsroirraw]

right !!!

[@maoetsu]

Not to mention that badass ninja

[@AguFungus]

If you watched the video, you will understand why (two words: localization choices).

[@bigwavesun]

I think youtubers exaggerate things. They read some opinions about it on gamefaqs or something and then assume everybody back then openly verbally hated it. Back then if people didnt like a game, they just didnt play it again.

[@TheExFatal]

I was so surprised to discover that 3 was hated by many, it's my favorite one. It has dodging and a special meter, making it the most dynamic game in the series. 2 in comparison feels so slow and almost clunky. If you ask me, 4 doesn't deserve its number in the title because it doesn't build upon the good stuff from 3.

[@user-kp3te5gg6z]

Facts.

[@TampaTec]

I never knew about deleted motorcycles part that should've been included. I liked streets of rage 3 better because 6 button support and Axel's spin blitz move. I have Legends ultimate arcade which supports Sega, Mame and SNES ROMs. I installed the whole streets of rage series on the arcade via USB including fan made game streets of rage Ryu Ken mod game. Check out legends ultimate arcade if you love retro games. Streets of rage series plays best on an arcade cabinet.

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

It sounds like you guys should look into Streets of Rage remake and a Raspberry Pi. You can literally create what you guys are asking for yourselves and it's not that expensive LOL. The only thing is the visuals aren't that super updated

[@keithshockley3443]

You can literally play a lot of arcade style games using a fight stick

[@vihailevagi]

Dude everyone do well so I thought lol

[@DesignDoc]

As someone who's only played the games pretty recently (played 2 back in 2011 on PS3 and have been playing the series again recently on a few collections. I still absolutely love 2.) My main problem with Streets of Rage 3 is that the basic attacks don't feel quite right. They come out quickly in a way that feels a bit buggy. Maybe I just need to get used to it but that's the main reason why it doesn't do much for me compared to 2. Also, the new playable character designs aren't the most appealing so I think that plays into it a little.

[@hnmAck]

The same, I don't feel anything from the attacks. This is why I didn't liked it. Also the level art seems kinds of small and run of the millish compared to the 2nd. And also now I know why in America it had that incomplete feel. We didn't received the game as it should be t.t

[@GisherJohn24]

The soundtrack was awful for 3 to me. For me, the soundtrack turned me off the most. 2 was just such a hard act to follow.

Spot on 2 imo will always be the best even better then 4 which is solid 3 was always the worst one imo

[@josebarrios8925]

Ummm..run,rol,New special movies and....Shiva...outrage?...

[@neat3468]

It's actually the sound effects that are the biggest issue, the bone crunching sounds are gone from SOR2 in favor of weird sack slapping sounds. It's even worse that randomly the soundfx don't even play at all for 5-10 seconds at a time sometimes and you're just hitting enemies with only the music playing.

[@cinnamondan4984]

I love Streets of Rage 3 but I’ll only play the Japanese version of SoR 3 (which is an amazing game)

[@DrMatta]

I have always loved the SOR3 soundtrack, ever since my first time playing all those years ago. I could understand why some people would find it grating as it's quite unconventional. I think Yuzo nailed the dark techno vibe of the game perfectly.

[@liukang3545]

its garbage l00000000l

[@burningempire666]

they never talk about the coolest part of the games....The special "backup" feature when you called for back and a dude in a car fire bombed the whole area

[@FroMarty]

That was a great feature in the first game. It appears in 4 in a few ways

[@randomcharacter6501]

2 and 3 didn't have that

[@seanlai7739]

IMO I really like SoR3. The special skills for each characters and the amount of unlockable characters does it for me.

[@liukang3545]

l00000000000000000l

[@stryderlao]

One thing that wasn’t mention is that if you was playing this game with the 6 button pad, u will have access to 3 hidden moves for each default character. The moves had street fighter motions as well. For example, Axel had a longer dashing uppercut, an a dashin spinning punch and a dashing spinning punch to jumping uppercut You actually see Blaze perform one of her secret moves at @19:22

[@garythreat5]

I've never heard of Ash until this day. My mind is way Blown

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

He's a mid boss in the first stage where enemies keep coming on boats. In Streets of rage 3 you just go through the stage fighting people coming off of boats,the end next stage. In bare-knuckle 3 you actually fight him at the end of that stage. If only that had been the only thing removed/changed from the game. Sadly, not even close.

[@TheWarriorFrenzy]

3 was awesome. You could run, use powered up weapons, special move was charged so you didn't always waste health, branching paths, unlockable players Shiva and Roo, 6 button controller functionality to make some moves easier and faster. The music grows on you. It was just more hardcore than melodic. The difficulty was a little ramped up but still beatable and not impossible.

[@liukang3545]

HAHAHAHAHA

[@anthonywilliams9415]

📠

[@michaeldougherty6036]

I remember renting SR3 from Blockbuster. And yeah, the increased difficulty really kinda sucked the fun out of it. Specifically that 3 minute boss fight timer. I never managed to get the good ending. It was the first fight in the series where I remember feeling like my character was too slow. Fast forward to 2020, and SR4 makes me feel too slow all the friggin game.

[@edgelord8337]

Many people say that streets of rage is the "at home" version of final fight but they are all wrong.

[@bruceleeds7988]

No they are right... About SOR 1. But when 2 came out, it almost instantly became the Greatest Scroller of all time

[@markula_4040]

I like how you say they are all wrong and then offer nothing on why. When you don't have an answer, don't give one, eh?

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

@@markula_4040 eh?

[@bruceleeds7988]

@@markula_4040 he has every right to say we are all wrong. Thing is... he is wrong lol

[@venom74799]

Wrong about what? You said absolutely nothing

[@MijinLaw]

I for one love both soundtracks equally. While SOR2's soundtrack is one of the all time greats, good music is about finding a fresh sound and I'm glad Koshiro took the risk. He made something that is both novel and, IMO, sounds great, and is actually a better backdrop to the fighting.

[@MrTickleBean]

Why did Axel go from looking like Jean Cleaude Van Damme on the SOR2 cover, to looking like Ed Begley Jr on the SOR3 cover?

[@tiffanyreynolds4520]

"The Mad History of Streets of Rage Remake" Please make this happen, based tophat aficionado!

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

Probably one of the most impressive fan projects I've seen. So much love there.

[@PsychoGoldVideos]

Hell yes. I'd love that!

[@sloppynyuszi]

John Doe is it a fan project? I thought DotEmu bought the license. And that music guy is back. Personally I think the nice graphics looks a bit out of place. It just doesn’t look evolved.

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

@@sloppynyuszi Just a little misunderstanding you've got there. The game I and OP were speaking of was an incredible fan project by the title of Streets of rage remake. What you're talking about is Streets of rage 4. Streets of rage remake was so well done that the musician that did the music for The Streets of rage series actually congratulated the guy who did it.

[@sloppynyuszi]

John Doe oh that one. My bad!

[@matthewleadbeater6892]

You should cover streets of rage remake before sor4 comes out. For me it sets the bar high for sor4 to try and beat

[@yuvraj01]

Dam right, that is in essence part4 all but unofficially, lets see if the official part 4 matches the hype...20 odd years later

[@geechie-don7157]

Can't remember how, but we somehow got Ash as a playable character. While he was funny, he was VERY over-powered. We destroyed the game with him...

[@ScarletFrustration]

I loved streets of rage 3! The sound track was amazing and love how every character could run and weapons had special moves! Loved skate but Roo easily became second favorite!

[@FlyboyHelosim]

Streets Of Rage is probably the only console franchise I've ever cared for and gone back to every so often. The fan remake for Windows is definitely worth checking out if you haven't already.

[@RydCook]

I like the soundtrack in 3. I also like how you said "Lazors"

[@Laenthal]

Its music is everything. Back then i used the simplest mp3 voice recorder to record the game tracks as they were coming out of TV speakers. There were games that i never actually played, but listened alot to, Streets of Rage 3 was one of them.

[@vitallink4830]

I don't remember any outrage and I was 16 when this game dropped. Least not like there is today.

[@33Dannyb]

I do remember the Mortal Kombat outrage though. And when Doom was under heat after Columbine. That’s the only two cases of outrage I remember for games.

[@SuiteLifeofDioBrando]

Streets of Rage 3 was the toughest game in the series. I enjoyed the game though.

[@jaymzx2587]

Suite Life of Dio Brando Bare Knuckle 3 was way more playable and uncensored as well.

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

@@jaymzx2587 I got to finally play thanks to the 360 version. And it's like your eyes get opened you're just like wow they changed a lot. Sadly we've never gotten a translated version of bare-knuckle 3 officially.

[@NiGHTS1980]

SOR3 sells for a lot of money...

[@GlennnD]

Just had a look... I'm shocked :O

[@Tiripsroirraw]

Sure does, glad I never got rid of mine from 94

[@rootykazooty351]

Worth every penny. Awesome game. The JP version is the one to get.

[@DickRichie510]

Thats why we have Emulators

[@hattybryanfield4408]

I managed to get it for $50 on eBay in 2005

[@hoogafanter]

Strange that you didnt mention the new dodge rolling mechanics which are amazing. Also strange that streets of rage 4 took this feature out along with running... which is a horrible choice IMO for many reasons. Especially considering the game is now widescreen, it takes forever to move across...

[@TheExFatal]

That's because 4 is not actually 4, it's 2-2

[@aeixo2533]

I have a mandela effect memory of being able to run in SOR2. I always played as Axel. When I played 4 and double tapping move didn't run I was confused... Maybe in my OG universe you could run as everyone in 2.

[@Niko-ys9ie]

You can run with some characters in 4. I believe with cherry hunter and another one

[@snoopysmx5257]

Introducing the side roll and special gauge made this game fun asf and Zan is my favorite character to play as

[@johnduval760]

The falling barrels felt like an homage to Street Fighter

[@RealWonderSwan]

I personally love Bare Knuckle 3 for it's story, and how dark they were willing to get with it. I don't really like the soundtrack as much as I loved most of Bare Knuckle 2's/Streets of Rage 2's soundtrack, but it's fine, because the music definitely fit the game. Don't like Streets of Rage 3 though, because they really censored it, with important plot details being cut, and it compromises on the tone. Preferred way to play is with this translation patch, though you are going to need a ROM of the Japanese version, and not Streets of Rage 3: www.romhacking.net/translations/1375/

[@matthewpordes3224]

Thanks Top Hat Gaming Man! I think this was the best of your Streets of Rage videos and one of your best yet overall. The introduction was great - concise and informative. Just a nice job.

[@chouaxiong8156]

So that's where Roger the kangaroo in Tekken came from.

[@icecreambeats101]

9:58 that song sounds like Inner City “Good Life”

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

Bueno vida.

[@Jaytecx]

Or there is the other one Inner City - "Big Fun"

[@radicaledwards3449]

Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima used to listen to to soul to soul and Ebenezer goode

[@InitialDL84]

I actually enjoy this version of the game as opposed to SOR2. I played this before the second one, so it has a special place in my heart, from the music, to the overall gameplay. The only thing that irks me to this day is how Sega of America changed the game's storyline and difficulty completely before bringing it to the states. The Bare Knuckle 3 version is 10 times better, and the added movement compared to SOR2 helps a lot and made me enjoy this version that much more; SOR2 has amazing music for sure, but the characters move like molasses! If Sega kept everything from the Japanese version, the game IMO would've been another hit.

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

That's just it I think bare-knuckle 3 is a superior game in all ways to Streets of rage 3. Streets of rage 3 was made infinitely more inferior because of the piss poor translation / localization work and censorship/changes. If you live in a bubble and never bother to play the Japanese version you won't know the difference but if you do it's night and day.

[@rootykazooty351]

True. Bare Knuckle III is so much better.

[@PhilMcCool]

I rented this at the time and thought I had completed it at level 5 because it's ends on a cliffhanger on easy mode. I didn't pick up on the hint from Zan, saying "We must try harder". Two other things worth mentioning: 1. There are secret rooms. A wall can be destroyed by the player in the Yakuza hideout for example. 2. The unfinished motorbike riding level can now be played in Streets Of Rage Remake.

[@KiryuKazuma2047]

I remember plugging in my official 6-button pad, and discovering that if I did Street Fighter II-style rotations with 'x' (I think), Alex would do the more advanced special moves whenever I wanted!

[@TPRES_74]

Streets Of Rage 3/Turtles In Time. Skate was that Dude with those inline skates 😂😂.

[@Onmysheet]

Streets Of Rage: Undercooked Streets Of Rage 2: Perfectly cooked Streets Of Rage 3: Overcooked

[@nillynush4899]

When it comes to food, you want Perfection... but overcooked is edible as well, safer than undercooked at least :)

[@MultiKadafi]

1 was the best

[@Onmysheet]

1 has the best soundtrack.

[@MultiKadafi]

@@Onmysheet Soundtrack on 1 is incredible and the best plus the layout and game was structured better with the bosses. Only thing the sequels have over the original is the graphics are superior.

[@ShadowTetsuo9999]

Outlaw Rider Makaveli. 2 was

[@maltyscrote8598]

I only played Streets of Rage 3 quite recently. I found it surprisingly difficult, since I'd finished the first game many, many times (albeit well over twenty years ago). The soundtrack was released on a limited edition bright orange vinyl record a year or two back. I kinda wanted it, but I'm not made of money. Oh well.

[@main_tak_becus6689]

I had the japanese version, Bare Knuckle 3. The best game ever of my childhood

[@makotoyuki345]

Sigh I miss 80s/90s SEGA they just had that special aesthetic no other company could recreate (well maybe some indies are close to this) Also 12:53 Axel.exe has stopped working

[@willn8664]

@asdf asdf Don't you mean after the Dreamcast?

[@dr.velious5411]

@@willn8664 For what it's worth, I feel like a lot of Dreamcast games hit that sweet spot where the creativity of the 90's was still there while the gameplay was evolving into 3D,sometimes it comes off as clumsy but it has an experimental vibe that isn't present these days.

[@kumoblade]

My problem with streets of rage 3 is that when speeding up the gameplay from streets of rage 2 without adding additional frames of animation, the combat lost a lot of its 'weightiness.' the attacks didn't feel like they had as much oomph in them and that made the combat feel very mechanical unlike how fluid it felt in SOR2

[@plasmaoctopus1728]

hehe, mechanical, like robots, real hidden plot twist would be that all of the playable characters are actually robots! Im kidding of course.

[@jaysonobos5094]

Bro u hit the nail on the head. I just tried SOR 3 last year and the hits you're making don't register as well as in 2. I hated it. Refunded right away. SOR 2 still the best. Hope SOR 4 won't be so bad

[@niemand7811]

What consumers prefer the music from SoR2? I prefer the idea of creating a slightly different ambience between SoR2 and 3. And now with the Megadrive Collection we can even choose the region of the game so that we can enjoy the original difficulty of Bare Knuckles III. The story can be looked up online while enjoying the game the way it was meant to be without the "American Nonsensical Difficulty".

[@leroyvisiongames2294]

Before my dad and his recent ex-wife divorced, me and one of her daughters/my former step sisters used to LOVE playing this game together.

[@noahheninger]

Some of us love the soundtrack to Sor3.

[@Tiripsroirraw]

agreed

[@MrAdrenaline1982]

12:59 I think the futuristic factory level is more inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' videogame Technodrome levels than Terminator.

[@IsKor06]

I discovered your channel with this vid, and I discovered a damn informative man. You've got yourself a new sub! Thanks for all this work. Now to watch ALL the other ones... See you in 1-2 months! :p

[@danmakuman]

Awesome video as always! Love Bare Knucle III, it is gameplay-wise the best one of the trilogy and I totally dig the music and style. SOR2 has a much refined look and level design tho, and the music is pretty catchy. The good thing is all 3 games are amazing beat 'em ups, some of the best ever made so if you like one more than another is totally fine.

[@thetruej7872]

Is SOR3 the reason why Tekken has a boxing kangaroo?

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

Not sure - Zelda had a boxing Kangeroo before both!

[@SomeOrangeCat]

No, its just Japan being off it's meds again.

[@Lenriak]

Warner Bros has a boxing kangaroo called Hippety Hopper, who predates the lot of them by about 50 years.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

@@Lenriak And old Warner Brothers cartoons are very much the picture of insanity, so I rest my case.

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

@@SomeOrangeCat I just love when Japan's "off its meds". I miss when games were wacky and crazy and just fun and ridiculous. So many games are so safe and "sanitized" these days.

[@Filmonaut]

Streets of Rage Remake next?

[@SeasOfCheese929]

SOR3's soundtrack is criminally underrated

[@madfinntech]

I'd want to direct Streets of Rage movie so bad. It would be amazing!

[@lynchie137]

Check the way the robot Mr. X is sitting in his chair. It's exactly the same as the final boss in Golden Axe. Coincidence?

[@brittislove]

The music was really hit or miss, but honestly.. some of that shit was Tim Skold, Shotgun Messiahs 3rd album reminescent. It was very edgey and maybe a bit too ahead of its time

[@Eastsid3]

Definitely hit or miss, Some of the tracks were really experimental and industrial like as opposed to SOR 1 and 2

[@SmashJT]

Love to see this vid take off for you man. Great work, as always, THG!

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

Thank you sir! I am equally loving your car videos and am finding myself watching most of them haha!

[@Wolfdragon92584]

I loved Streets of Rage 3 back when we rented it in the late 90s, and it took a long time to find a copy to buy. When I found out about the Japanese version, it became my favorite installment. The only downside compared to the first 2 is the music, but it's still awesome. It's just not as catchy or atmospheric. I'm hoping 4 will rekindle that awesome spark.

[@Teejturtle]

I still love Streets of Rage Remake. The fan game did a great job at bridging all the elements of the trilogy with some interesting track remixes.

[@trrrmac]

Teej Turtle that and you can also try sf hack and river city girl hack .. or SOR2x by kratus, there you can literally chose every character in the game to play with. Just in case ok..

[@AntonioCunningham]

If only I could play it on a console. Every time I tried to play it on my PC, I ran into problems. For example; my R9 270x and my GTX 1070 gag problems displaying full screen regardless of the monitor or TV I used.

[@joekool6893]

I have no idea why you would hate on this game. It’s a masterpiece!

[@Gigatech151]

That last boss.... I believe is more ROBOCOP 2 theme than "Mother Brain" related. Any way... great video, and thanks for your love on this franchise.

[@morlon9459]

I was born in the early 2000, Playing the new Gen Games, But SEGA changed it all and I became a retro gamer

[@BIGW0RM]

Growing up, I think what also put me off to this game was its difficulty, only getting the true ending on hard, IIRC. Shiva is a pretty bad ass unlockable character, though.