This feature was originally written for TheNintendoVillage.com, a website I founded and ran from 2018 to 2021.

Believe it or not, but it’s been a quarter of a century since the release of Streets of Rage 3 back on the Sega Genesis. Yup, 25 years since Axel and Blaze last took to the streets to beat up some thugs. We’re happy to report that they’ve lost none of their potency in the intervening years.

The development team for this new entry includes Dotemu who’re handling game design and publishing, Guard Crush Games who created the Streets of Fury XBLA game - itself heavily inspired by Streets of Rage and Lizardcube - the same guys behind the revival of Wonderboy a couple of years back.

The combined talent at the helm have deftly turned their attention to the classic franchise with incredibly potent results.

Raging Makeover

Much like Wonder Boy, the game boasts a gorgeous hand drawn art style. Whilst fans of the series might find the bright colours and cartoony feel odd at first, it works spectacularly well. The fighting in Streets of Rage was always somewhat cartoonish anyway, and so having that reflected in the visuals is a welcome update.

***The new artstyle is absolutely stunning, but the core gameplay is as satisfying as the classic games***

It might not be as gritty visually, but the combat still packs one hell of a punch. Muscle memory kicked in almost immediately, and I was soon sending enemies cartwheeling backwards with flying kicks and meaty combinations of punches. Any sucker who got too close was automatically grabbed, pummelled, and thrown, just like they were back in the 90s.

That faithfulness to what made the original games so great means that fans of the franchise can rest assured that underneath the new coat of paint, the beating heart of Streets of Rage remains chock full of adrenaline.

Weapons are back for example, albeit with some new additions. Still, sending my opponents flying every which way with a swing of a bat felt just as satisfying as using my fists. Learning their attack patterns to avoid getting pummelled myself added to the challenge too, and when there were too many to handle, a quick jab of the special button soon cleared the way forward.

Authentic Streets of Rage

The staple of the originals - the boss battles - are also present and correct. There were even mini-bosses that offered a tougher challenge than the usual grunts on the way to the end of the level as well. Each and every foe was unique in their attacks and their appearance, meaning my partner and I had to be quick to adapt to the current obstacle.

It’s also worth mentioning the world in which you’re brawling. The characters aren’t the only ones who have had a makeover, and the environments look absolutely gorgeous. Not only that but they feel truly alive, with bystanders watching on as you’re swinging punches, flies searching for their dinner in trash cans, and more. If there weren’t so many people trying to beat you to a pulp, it would be an incredibly pleasant place to be.

Although I didn’t get to hear much of it from the show floor, it’s worth mentioning that the composers behind the original games’ iconic soundtrack - Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima - are lending their talents to the audio on this new entry too.

See? This is a truly authentic continuation of the franchise.

The game doesn’t have a full release date yet, just a promise of ‘2020’. From the one short level I got to play though, the game can’t come soon enough. The guys behind the game clearly hold the franchise in high esteem. The gameplay is incredibly tight and satisfying and it’s one of the most gorgeous looking games in the genre.

I’m very much looking forward to taking to the streets once again.