Genre: Brawler
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega

Few games are dark, gritty, and bright, colorful, at the same time, yet Streets of Rage 2 has attained this position. By Genesis standards, it's a very nice looking game, but this version unfortunately lacks any sort of filtering features.

If I were to list the five best video game soundtracks of all time, Streets of Rage 2 would easily find its way on that list. Yuzo Koshiro's finest hour, most of his best songs and sound effects are in this game. The only problem? Where's the 44 khz?

A lesson in pacing and balance between simplicity and complexity, Streets of Rage 2's control scheme makes it a piece of cake to mop up hordes of baddies-- if you've got the skill. The classic controller's d-pad works well with the razor-precise engine.

Streets of Rage 2 is the best brawler of all time because all design elements come together in a sort of "perfect storm of fun". It plays nicely, but like some other Genesis games, this title really benefits from the bells and whistles of a good emulator-- play it there if you have the choice.