Format: Cartridge
Genre: Brawler
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega

Streets of Rage 2 takes the aesthetic style of the original to an entirely new level; the stages make full use of the Genesis' on-screen color capabilities, the character sprites are positively massive compared to those in the original, and there is significantly more animation as well. While the game might fall just shy of Street Fighter II and its ilk in terms of overall presentational impact, it more than matches the graphics of its direct competitors, such as Final Fight.

Yuzo Koshiro is back, and this is his very best work. The thumping techno beats are loaded with melody-- one can scarcely believe that the Genesis sound chip is capable of such quality! Each and every stage song is an absolute masterpiece, and the boss song is one of the best video game songs ever composed. The excellent digital voice samples from the original have been expanded, and truly lend the game a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Like most brawlers, the original Streets of Rage was largely a button mashing title. The sequel, however, elevates the whole genre by adding in a plethora of new moves, tweaked enemy patterns and behaviors, and some of the best paced stages in the business. Like titles such as Super Mario Bros. or the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2's entire construction deserves a spot in the pantheon of the best games of all time.

Modern games resort to cheap tricks, like cut-scenes and dialog, in attempts to create scenes and sensations. Streets of Rage 2 does things the right, but infinitely more difficult, way-- it creates what feels to the player like an hour-long, interactive bar room fight through nothing but gameplay. As such, Streets of Rage 2 is a true work of art, and is one of the genre's and the Genesis' best games.