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

Like most early Genesis games, Streets of Rage doesn't seem to display as many colors on screen as the Genesis is capable of, leading to a lot of solid-shaded areas, a little like an NES title. The overall aesthetic is appropriately gritty though, and lends the game a more adult-like feeling than Capcom's competing Final Fight series.

From composition to the instrument samples, Streets of Rage's soundtrack is absolutely astonishing! This should come as no surprise considering it was created by Sega's star musician of the early 90s, Yuzo Koshiro. Sound effects are likewise wonderful, with a nice mix of awesome digital voice samples and programmed effects.

Like Double Dragon, Final Fight, and Golden Axe, Streets of Rage is mostly standard brawler fare, featuring a limited selection of moves. The game is reasonably well balanced, the stages interesting and well paced, although the boss fights are perhaps a bit too brutal in difficulty.

Sometimes infuriating boss fights aside, Streets of Rage is an enjoyable brawler whose greatest asset is probably its distinct and mature sense of style. The game isn't quite as ludonarratively rich as Golden Axe, nor are its stages as interesting. But as an obvious riff on Final Fight, Streets of Rage can hold its own.