Any fan of Streets of Rage around here?

[Masked Avenger]

I love the series. Not my absolute favorite on Genesis/Mega Drive, but pretty close.

SOR2 is obviously the perfect package. It had everything. Music, graphics, gameplay.

SOR3 (or the uncensored Japanese version) had its moments and some nice gameplay additions, but the lack of a leap forward (SOR1 to SOR2) and the so-so music always made me ambivalent about that sequel.

If this topic takes, I can maybe post a little extra to make it more than just a trip down memory lane. I'm still new at this forum so I don't know what's hot or not over here.

[kainemaxwell]

SOR2 is my fav of the trilogy. DP here is a big SOR fan too!

[Masked Avenger]

Ah well, that's promising.

I've been deeply immersed in the series lately because I got involved with some guys reprograming the series, mixing it up and releasing online-enabled SOR games on PC and DC (Dreamcast).

Just yesterday, I finished a pic for a possible cover and contemplating my options for a back cover, featuring many of the main enemies.

I don't view myself as a Michaelangelo, but I have decent enough abilities to do the classic series justice. I have, of course, my own particular style of drawing. See for yourself:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7200/ugssor10nl.jpg

If you have any comments or suggestions for the next pic, feel free to share. It will keep this topic going.

[suppafly]

I love all 3 games. I would grade the games like this:

SOR = 9/10 points
SOR2 = 10/10 points
SOR3 = 8.5/10 points

[suppafly]

Ah well, that's promising.

I've been deeply immersed in the series lately because I got involved with some guys reprograming the series, mixing it up and releasing online-enabled SOR games on PC and DC (Dreamcast).

Just yesterday, I finished a pic for a possible cover and contemplating my options for a back cover, featuring many of the main enemies.

I don't view myself as a Michaelangelo, but I have decent enough abilities to do the classic series justice. I have, of course, my own particular style of drawing. See for yourself:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7200/ugssor10nl.jpg

If you have any comments or suggestions for the next pic, feel free to share. It will keep this topic going.


You shouldve been asked to draw the cover of beggar prince LOL

[Masked Avenger]

I don't care about RPG's. ;)

[Push Upstairs]

Do i like the series? That's like asking if i like to breathe.

I love the series. Aside from the obvious Yuzo worship when it comes to the music, I use SOR2 as the gold standard for comparing control and gameplay against similar games.

I think "Bare Knuckle 3" gets a bad rap though. I enjoy the added use of the 6 button controller and there is quite a bit of music in the game that i have grown to enjoy as much as from previous games.

[CosmicMonkey]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of the series. Even after all these years Bare Knuckle 2 is still a solid beat 'em up, and one of my favorite games.

[MarioMania]

I'm a fan of the series..i got

on the Genesis

Bare Kuckles - Mega Drive
Street of Rage
Street of Rage 2
Street of Rage 3

Game Gear

Street of Rage
Street of Rage 2

Master System

Street of Rage

...All I need is Street of Rage 2 in the Master System

[MrRoboto19XX]

Streets of Rage 2 is THE best side scrolling beat em up released for any system.

[Mr.collection]

Hell yeah I love the series, its one of my favorite. Its the only reason I bought a Genesis besides sonic.

[Garry Silljo]

Ah well, that's promising.

I've been deeply immersed in the series lately because I got involved with some guys reprograming the series, mixing it up and releasing online-enabled SOR games on PC and DC (Dreamcast).

Just yesterday, I finished a pic for a possible cover and contemplating my options for a back cover, featuring many of the main enemies.

I don't view myself as a Michaelangelo, but I have decent enough abilities to do the classic series justice. I have, of course, my own particular style of drawing. See for yourself:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7200/ugssor10nl.jpg

If you have any comments or suggestions for the next pic, feel free to share. It will keep this topic going.


It's not bad, but it hurts my eyes to look diretly at it. Try and tone down all that shinyness. You're drawing a cover, not a second sun.

[JerseyDevil65]

Streets of Rage 2 is THE best side scrolling beat em up released for any system.

I agree, NES Double Dragon 2 is a very close second.

I love the whole SOR series on the Genny.

[Masked Avenger]

It's not bad, but it hurts my eyes to look diretly at it. Try and tone down all that shinyness. You're drawing a cover, not a second sun.

Then staring at a blank page on your computer should hurt your eyes even more. Lower your brightness and contrast levels on your monitor. :P

[Masked Avenger]

Streets of Rage 2 is THE best side scrolling beat em up released for any system.

I've always liked Ninja Warriors on the SNES, but for unexplicable reasons, Taito decided to make it one-player only. :roll:

[suppafly]

Streets of Rage 2 is THE best side scrolling beat em up released for any system.

I've always liked Ninja Warriors on the SNES, but for unexplicable reasons, Taito decided to make it one-player only. :roll:

Ninja Warriors on SNES is such an awesome game. It shouldve received way more attention that it did...

AWESOME game: graphics, music, gameplay...A+

[evil_genius]

Ah well, that's promising.

I've been deeply immersed in the series lately because I got involved with some guys reprograming the series, mixing it up and releasing online-enabled SOR games on PC and DC (Dreamcast).

Just yesterday, I finished a pic for a possible cover and contemplating my options for a back cover, featuring many of the main enemies.

I don't view myself as a Michaelangelo, but I have decent enough abilities to do the classic series justice. I have, of course, my own particular style of drawing. See for yourself:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7200/ugssor10nl.jpg

If you have any comments or suggestions for the next pic, feel free to share. It will keep this topic going.

well done, that pic is dope. and of course i like streets of rage, i remember playing it when i was younger, i pinched a nerve in my neck and couldn't move it for a while, it hurt like hell but i kept playing.

[Classicgamesdepot]

love the pic, great tribute to an amazing series, can't wait to see the back

[Masked Avenger]

It's a shame there isn't more SOR fan-art out there. Well, I've seen over two dozens of different drawings based on the series, but aside from one or two good Blaze pics, most seemed to be from kids doodling in the corner of a notebook.

[Garry Silljo]

It's not bad, but it hurts my eyes to look diretly at it. Try and tone down all that shinyness. You're drawing a cover, not a second sun.

Then staring at a blank page on your computer should hurt your eyes even more. Lower your brightness and contrast levels on your monitor. :P

No, staring at a blank page on my computer doesn't hurt my eyes at all, but this does. Don't ask for people's thought's if you're going to be a prick when they dont say what you want. The outside borders of the picture are fine, but the main focus, mainly the lights on the car and how it reflects off the characters is bothering my eyes. The art is good looking, just bright. Maybe I'm the only person whos eyes are affected this way, but the problem is not my monitor.

[Masked Avenger]

It's not bad, but it hurts my eyes to look diretly at it. Try and tone down all that shinyness. You're drawing a cover, not a second sun.

Then staring at a blank page on your computer should hurt your eyes even more. Lower your brightness and contrast levels on your monitor. :P

No, staring at a blank page on my computer doesn't hurt my eyes at all, but this does. Don't ask for people's thought's if you're going to be a prick when they dont say what you want. The outside borders of the picture are fine, but the main focus, mainly the lights on the car and how it reflects off the characters is bothering my eyes. The art is good looking, just bright. Maybe I'm the only person whos eyes are affected this way, but the problem is not my monitor.

Well, I'll avoid using humor in your presence next time.

I've obviously stared at that pic for hours when trying to color it. I had no problem with my sight. I still don't. Perhaps your eyes grow accustomed to the dark background of this forum, making it difficult to view a bright image.

[Masked Avenger]

Streets of Rage 2 is THE best side scrolling beat em up released for any system.

I've always liked Ninja Warriors on the SNES, but for unexplicable reasons, Taito decided to make it one-player only. :roll:

Ninja Warriors on SNES is such an awesome game. It shouldve received way more attention that it did...

AWESOME game: graphics, music, gameplay...A+

Well, omitting a two-player might be a reason for its lack of popularity. That and Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat mania.

[nik]

It's not bad, but it hurts my eyes to look diretly at it. Try and tone down all that shinyness. You're drawing a cover, not a second sun.

Then staring at a blank page on your computer should hurt your eyes even more. Lower your brightness and contrast levels on your monitor. :P

No, staring at a blank page on my computer doesn't hurt my eyes at all, but this does. Don't ask for people's thought's if you're going to be a prick when they dont say what you want. The outside borders of the picture are fine, but the main focus, mainly the lights on the car and how it reflects off the characters is bothering my eyes. The art is good looking, just bright. Maybe I'm the only person whos eyes are affected this way, but the problem is not my monitor.

Well, I'll avoid using humor in your presence next time.

I've obviously stared at that pic for hours when trying to color it. I had no problem with my sight. I still don't. Perhaps your eyes grow accustomed to the dark background of this forum, making it difficult to view a bright image.

Sarcasam never passes well online, although HE was bring the prick, not you. It's a shiny picture, but my eyes don't hurt looking at it.. but I guess you can't really please everyone!

[Masked Avenger]

Sarcasam never passes well online, although HE was bring the prick, not you. It's a shiny picture, but my eyes don't hurt looking at it.. but I guess you can't really please everyone!

Oh, but people have been known not to like shiny pics. I've drawn other stuff before and many were similarly shiny. I've been told flat out that they didn't like that graffiti style though the 'hurt my eyes' bit is new to me. ;)

I can also anticipate criticism for this pic concerning the unrealistic figure of Blaze, the non-matching style of the characters compared to the official art from Sega/Ancient, some crooked lines in the background, the overly clean aspect of the pic (a criticism often leveled to pics colored in Photoshop)... and the steering wheel on the right side of the car. :P

[Garry Silljo]

Sarcasam never passes well online, although HE was bring the prick, not you. It's a shiny picture, but my eyes don't hurt looking at it.. but I guess you can't really please everyone!

Oh, but people have been known not to like shiny pics. I've drawn other stuff before and many were similarly shiny. I've been told flat out that they didn't like that graffiti style though the 'hurt my eyes' bit is new to me. ;)

I can also anticipate criticism for this pic concerning the unrealistic figure of Blaze, the non-matching style of the characters compared to the official art from Sega/Ancient, some crooked lines in the background, the overly clean aspect of the pic (a criticism often leveled to pics colored in Photoshop)... and the steering wheel on the right side of the car. :P

Nope, didn't have a problem with any of that, just still can't figure out why you want the viewers eyes to focus on the headlights of the car and not the games characters. I also noticed that Blaze's body is no where near the size of her legs but didn't mention it before since my not enjoying the over lighting made me such a monster in this thread. I'm just going to leave it at that and stop checking the thread. Every one can just hate me for not praising a picture that didn't work for me.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

ah one classic trilogy i have all three and they all are good

[Emuaust]

Ah Streets of rage what a great series 8-)

Final what you say?

Ok here is a question that I have spent many wakeless nights
fantasizing about, What if SOR2 had a dash feature like SOR3,
Surely it would be the best game of all time would it not?

[nik]

Sarcasam never passes well online, although HE was bring the prick, not you. It's a shiny picture, but my eyes don't hurt looking at it.. but I guess you can't really please everyone!

Oh, but people have been known not to like shiny pics. I've drawn other stuff before and many were similarly shiny. I've been told flat out that they didn't like that graffiti style though the 'hurt my eyes' bit is new to me. ;)

I can also anticipate criticism for this pic concerning the unrealistic figure of Blaze, the non-matching style of the characters compared to the official art from Sega/Ancient, some crooked lines in the background, the overly clean aspect of the pic (a criticism often leveled to pics colored in Photoshop)... and the steering wheel on the right side of the car. :P

Nope, didn't have a problem with any of that, just still can't figure out why you want the viewers eyes to focus on the headlights of the car and not the games characters. I also noticed that Blaze's body is no where near the size of her legs but didn't mention it before since my not enjoying the over lighting made me such a monster in this thread. I'm just going to leave it at that and stop checking the thread. Every one can just hate me for not praising a picture that didn't work for me.

Nobody thinks you're a monster, you just used the word "Prick" before anyone else and he was just joking, even I could see that.

Oh well, read a post the wrong way, everyone does that, I'm sure he took your points in, it's not a big deal, even I think it's shiny, but thats the style it was done in, I'm sure he can do others, even watercolor!

[Masked Avenger]

Fair enough. But the characters are not obscured by the headlights, except for Skate, but that's because he's in front, not behind and is colored with darker shades to emphasized that. Normally, with a strong light source in your face, all other aspects should be darkened because of your eyes adjusting to the brighter light source, but I'm not following the rules here and the other characters are still clearly visible, to most people's eyes anyway. And I'm doing this because, from my perspective, I think it can look good.

For the record, the list of other flaws was a prediction of potential criticisms from other users regarding the pic, not necessarily what you'd come up with. You're not the only one who can potentially dislike something in the pic.

[Blitzwing256]

I like the picture (mm Blaze)
have any of the remakes you speak of been released yet (I remeber reading about a streets of rage verison of "Beats of rage" but never been able to find a working image of it for dc/ and is there a webpage dedicated to them?
I'd be curious to see em.

[Masked Avenger]

Of course, there are a couple out there:

Streets of Rage Remake: http://bombergames.se32.com/sorr_e.htm

Beats of Rage: http://senileteam.segaforums.com/bor.php

[Push Upstairs]

Ah Streets of rage what a great series 8-)

Final what you say?

Exactly.


Ok here is a question that I have spent many wakeless nights fantasizing about, What if SOR2 had a dash feature like SOR3,
Surely it would be the best game of all time would it not?

There is also the fact that you could get hit while doing your special move (which you are invincible when you do it in 3).

And why those chose to have the buttons be what they are and not allow you the ability to change them always irked me a bit.

But those are small complaints.



I like the picture (mm Blaze)
have any of the remakes you speak of been released yet (I remeber reading about a streets of rage verison of "Beats of rage" but never been able to find a working image of it for dc/ and is there a webpage dedicated to them?
I'd be curious to see em.

I played it on a BOR compilation disc and, to be honest...some of the animation for the moves wasn't that great. In some instances your animation would leave you open to attack. Yes the sprites were ripped from SOR (SOR2 to be exact) but BOR isnt SOR.

In that instance i actually found "Hyper Final Fight 2" to be better/smoother than the BOR SOR game.

Other than that i'll always say what was quoted above...."Final what?" :D

[bangtango]

I am a 2D beat-em up freak and love the genre.

However, I am not as big of a fan of the SOR games as some others. If you read my comments in the recent "Arcade Ports" thread, it will soon become obvious that I am partial towards the Final Fight games. I'd probably list the Double Dragon games second. Even then, I still like a few other individual beat-em ups, mostly NES ones, better than the SOR games, including River City Ransom, Bad Dudes, Kung Fu and Renegade.

I like the three Genesis games well enough, don't get me wrong, but I never play them.

I do miss my old Game Gear, though, because out of my 20 game library, the first Streets of Rage was the one I played most often. Very stripped down from the Genesis version, but still fun to play on the go, the best game I ever played on Game Gear and better than any Gameboy beat-em up's at the time.

[Masked Avenger]

You would hav to come up with a pretty good reason to justify liking Double Dragon and Final Fight over Streets of Rage. :P

[bangtango]

You would hav to come up with a pretty good reason to justify liking Double Dragon and Final Fight over Streets of Rage. :P

Just my opinion ;)

Streets of Rage does not get made without the success of Final Fight or Double Dragon, both of which helped build the genre and make the market safe for a title like Streets of Rage. Not to mention the influence those games had on the SOR series. I am not going to break down each game but I can attest to having played all three series 8-)

[kainemaxwell]

Ah well, that's promising.

I've been deeply immersed in the series lately because I got involved with some guys reprograming the series, mixing it up and releasing online-enabled SOR games on PC and DC (Dreamcast).

Just yesterday, I finished a pic for a possible cover and contemplating my options for a back cover, featuring many of the main enemies.

I don't view myself as a Michaelangelo, but I have decent enough abilities to do the classic series justice. I have, of course, my own particular style of drawing. See for yourself:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7200/ugssor10nl.jpg

If you have any comments or suggestions for the next pic, feel free to share. It will keep this topic going.

Nice work! Tone down the brightness of the headlights and you got a winner!

Beats of Rage rocks, btw.

[Garry Silljo]

Ah well, that's promising.

I've been deeply immersed in the series lately because I got involved with some guys reprograming the series, mixing it up and releasing online-enabled SOR games on PC and DC (Dreamcast).

Just yesterday, I finished a pic for a possible cover and contemplating my options for a back cover, featuring many of the main enemies.

I don't view myself as a Michaelangelo, but I have decent enough abilities to do the classic series justice. I have, of course, my own particular style of drawing. See for yourself:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7200/ugssor10nl.jpg

If you have any comments or suggestions for the next pic, feel free to share. It will keep this topic going.

Nice work! Tone down the brightness of the headlights and you got a winner!

Beats of Rage rocks, btw.

Oh, you don't want to suggest that. HOW DARE YOU suggest that.

[Damon Plus]

Streets of Rage 2 is THE best side scrolling beat em up released for any system.

I agree, NES Double Dragon 2 is a very close second.

I love the whole SOR series on the Genny.

Sorry but that spot goes to River City Ransom :)

[Masked Avenger]

Ah well, that's promising.

I've been deeply immersed in the series lately because I got involved with some guys reprograming the series, mixing it up and releasing online-enabled SOR games on PC and DC (Dreamcast).

Just yesterday, I finished a pic for a possible cover and contemplating my options for a back cover, featuring many of the main enemies.

I don't view myself as a Michaelangelo, but I have decent enough abilities to do the classic series justice. I have, of course, my own particular style of drawing. See for yourself:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7200/ugssor10nl.jpg

If you have any comments or suggestions for the next pic, feel free to share. It will keep this topic going.

Nice work! Tone down the brightness of the headlights and you got a winner!

Beats of Rage rocks, btw.

Oh, you don't want to suggest that. HOW DARE YOU suggest that.

He didn't claim he went half blind. He's credible enough for me. :P

[Garry Silljo]

He didn't claim he went half blind. He's credible enough for me. :P

Nor did I. You are twisting my words. Did you remember to tell him his monitor was broken? Afterall, he had did complain about brightness, so it must be equipment failure just like it was with me right?

[suppafly]

He didn't claim he went half blind. He's credible enough for me. :P

Nor did I. You are twisting my words. Did you remember to tell him his monitor was broken? Afterall, he had did complain about brightness, so it must be equipment failure just like it was with me right?

It must suck to be you...complaining about everything...

[Masked Avenger]

He didn't claim he went half blind. He's credible enough for me. :P

Nor did I. You are twisting my words. Did you remember to tell him his monitor was broken? Afterall, he had did complain about brightness, so it must be equipment failure just like it was with me right?



Bottom line, this guy was polite and to the point. Other people also pointed out the shininess of the pic, just like I mentionned it was a criticism of some past pics of mine. I have no problem with that.

Your case is 'special' with a claim that, if not because of some technical problem, seemed made-up. Add to that some name calling and things went sour from there, as others pointed out. Come on, let's drop the pretense. You somehow hold a grudge against me with this thread. I'm willing to let this matter drop, but you have to let me. We're all adults here, right?

If it is still an issue then I suggest you leave this thread and I will try my best to keep out of your way in the future.

[Garry Silljo]

He didn't claim he went half blind. He's credible enough for me. :P

Nor did I. You are twisting my words. Did you remember to tell him his monitor was broken? Afterall, he had did complain about brightness, so it must be equipment failure just like it was with me right?



Bottom line, this guy was polite and to the point. Other people also pointed out the shininess of the pic, just like I mentionned it was a criticism of some past pics of mine. I have no problem with that.

Your case is 'special' with a claim that, if not because of some technical problem, seemed made-up. Add to that some name calling and things went sour from there, as others pointed out. Come on, let's drop the pretense. You somehow hold a grudge against me with this thread. I'm willing to let this matter drop, but you have to let me. We're all adults here, right?

If it is still an issue then I suggest you leave this thread and I will try my best to keep out of your way in the future.

I speak in hyperbole, this is true. However I didn't get rude until you dismissed an issue other people also have as an error on my part, in my case only. To single me out because of I like to word things with a little flavor, to me was rude and the first blow. Thus I answered. I was going to leave it alone, but when another poster had an almost identical comment, and didn't get his ass jumped as I did, I once again resented being singled out, purely for enjoying the use of adjectives.

[Masked Avenger]

You know, I've only been here for a few days. I just don't know anyone. So singling out people is damn near impossible for me right now, unless that person chooses to seek me out.

Unfortunately, I can not guarantee what other people will say about the pic so please, try not to take whatever they say personally. It's safe to expect my replies will be a mix of serious and playful in whichever case. Hopefully, that's enough advanced warning for you not to take issue.

Cool?

[Masked Avenger]

Hey, do you guys actually prefer this version of the pic?

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3497/ugssor1a0pz.jpg

Main headlight intensity diminished in different ways (and some modifications with the light beams). The shininess can not be completely eliminated without Skate being recolored.

Blaze with more brown-reddish hair. No one complained about that, but still, the change is there.

And color, intensity and texture of the pavement are altered. No one complained about that either, but it bothered me. ;)

[Steven]

^ Much better. I liked the 1st too, though.

I loved SOR. Grew up with so many good memories of playing the 1st one with my best friend Nelson back in the day, playing waaaay past dinner. Playing while his family was having a party, and the game was so good for its time that it drew casual non gaming male observers over (who were in their 20s/30s watching these two 8 years old duke it out on the "mean streets" hehe)

I liked 2 and 3 as well.

Great name, great feel, great atmosphere, just a fantastic franchise that sadly ended too soon. SOR 4 on Saturn would have kicked ass.

[Garry Silljo]

That is definately easier on the eyes. I can actually tell Skate is wearing a ball cap now wear as before the lights made it look like he was drawn with no cap and bald. I won't pick any further so that maybe one day I can live down the "oh so evil" that everyone has labled on me for not loving this.

See ya, Bye.

[segarocks30]

I love the series. Not my absolute favorite on Genesis/Mega Drive, but pretty close.

SOR2 is obviously the perfect package. It had everything. Music, graphics, gameplay.

SOR3 (or the uncensored Japanese version) had its moments and some nice gameplay additions, but the lack of a leap forward (SOR1 to SOR2) and the so-so music always made me ambivalent about that sequel.

If this topic takes, I can maybe post a little extra to make it more than just a trip down memory lane. I'm still new at this forum so I don't know what's hot or not over here.

You better beleive I love SOR/Bare Knuckle, SOR 2 is my favorite game of all time.

[Ed Oscuro]

I've been hearing great things about the series for years, but only recently did I decide to actually sit down with one to see what the fuss was about...

SoR 2 seems...terribly overrated. It starts out amazing, for sure, but it falls apart when those flame-breathing morons appear. Oh, and let's not forget about that damned elevator.

Good game, but the ability to get points for punching my teammate doesn't really fix the fact that it's a raw experience compared to many arcade brawlers of the time (Combatribes, Vendetta, even Undercover Cops), and I personally would rate it far below Comix Zone and Ninja Warriors. That's just me, though; I don't really know all the minute details of the game's combo system.

[JPeeples]

The SoRs are my favorite beat 'em ups. Sure, the Final Fights look better, but they don't play as tightly. Every SoR's music is also better. While I like 2 and 3, the first is my favorite entry in the series. The stages are more fun to me, and I prefer the slightly slower pacing compared to the last two games.

[segarocks30]

I've been hearing great things about the series for years, but only recently did I decide to actually sit down with one to see what the fuss was about...

SoR 2 seems...terribly overrated. It starts out amazing, for sure, but it falls apart when those flame-breathing morons appear. Oh, and let's not forget about that damned elevator.

Good game, but the ability to get points for punching my teammate doesn't really fix the fact that it's a raw experience compared to many arcade brawlers of the time (Combatribes, Vendetta, even Undercover Cops), and I personally would rate it far below Comix Zone and Ninja Warriors. That's just me, though; I don't really know all the minute details of the game's combo system.

That's the thing, SOR 2 will appeal to different people. There are quite a few styles of beat em ups that people like. I respect your opinion.

[bangtango]

I've been hearing great things about the series for years, but only recently did I decide to actually sit down with one to see what the fuss was about...

SoR 2 seems...terribly overrated. It starts out amazing, for sure, but it falls apart when those flame-breathing morons appear. Oh, and let's not forget about that damned elevator.

Good game, but the ability to get points for punching my teammate doesn't really fix the fact that it's a raw experience compared to many arcade brawlers of the time (Combatribes, Vendetta, even Undercover Cops), and I personally would rate it far below Comix Zone and Ninja Warriors. That's just me, though; I don't really know all the minute details of the game's combo system.

That's the thing, SOR 2 will appeal to different people. There are quite a few styles of beat em ups that people like. I respect your opinion.

Having played the series, the games just seem very derivative of Final Fight. Kind of like all the games that immediately followed Street Fighter 2. It just feels like Sega did it to catch up with Capcom. Blaze=Guy, Axel= Cody and Adam= Haggar. Sure, there are neat features like multiple endings along with the police car firing rockets to bail out a player. But a villain in all three games named Mr. X? Wasn't the bad guy on NES's Kung Fu named Mr. X and that was at least 5-6 years beforehand. And people call Double Dragon or Final Fight generic? x_x

Maybe the SOR games were more complex and had a better storyline but the Final Fight games, to me, offered a more visceral experience. I, for one, enjoy a mindless beat-em up game. The enemy comes on screen, down he goes. I never played many games in this genre for strategy. If I wanted a great deal of strategy, I could play a one-on-one fighting game.

People criticize FF since the first three games (arcade then Super NES) were very similar but Capcom had a good formula and, for better or worse, weren't about to mess with it. They've adhered to that business plan for a long time, with many of their series.

Since I am biased towards the genre, I'd have to say I enjoy the SOR games. I'm not bashing them or even saying they are average and mediocre. I think they're fun. I just can't force myself to say it is my favorite series. These comments are based on having played the games within the past year or two. I'll try to play all three today and see if my perspective has changed. I'd be willing to admit I'm wrong and will post again to update if my outlook has changed on them.

[Masked Avenger]

Beat-em-ups from that era come from a great lineage of diverse games, but where Final Fight established a particular style of gameplay and stalled, SOR went with it and improved it ten-fold, especially by SOR2.

SOR3 is a mixed bag, IMHO, but the play mechanics are ace and everything the Final Fight series should have evolved into.

I wouldn't understate the influence of Street Fighter II on Streets of Rage either.

[kainemaxwell]

Hey, do you guys actually prefer this version of the pic?

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3497/ugssor1a0pz.jpg

Main headlight intensity diminished in different ways (and some modifications with the light beams). The shininess can not be completely eliminated without Skate being recolored.

Blaze with more brown-reddish hair. No one complained about that, but still, the change is there.

And color, intensity and texture of the pavement are altered. No one complained about that either, but it bothered me. ;)
Definitly easier on the eyes then the last one. Nice work, I did like the "Nintendo Dead" graffiti on the wall too. Nice touch.

[Rook_Jones]

Beat-em-ups from that era come from a great lineage of diverse games, but where Final Fight established a particular style of gameplay and stalled, SOR went with it and improved it ten-fold, especially by SOR2.


I think this is the general consensus about SOR. It's totally derivative of Final Fight, but it stole that ball and ran with it, far. Something about the sounds and atmosphere of SOR makes it superior to Final Fight for me.

One of the things that gets me is the fact that the game design is wary of the amount of time the long battle is taking: you start the game in the middle of the night, and as you climb the grueling diagonal elevator in the final stage, you can see the sun rise and finally day breaks. This just goes to show what a long and exhausting battle the characters just went through.

I also like the non-life-exhausting special moves available, especially Axel's uppercut. Does anyone know what he's saying? Even after years of listening to various Japanese people scream out garbeled attack names, I still can't make it out. "META-PAH!!"

Oh, another thing. Remember those pesky teleporting ninjas who appear variously? Some of them say "Ninpo, Kage-Bunshin!" which, if you've ever watched Naruto, should be familiar to you.

[Masked Avenger]

Axel says Grand Upper.

But I know the feeling. I first thought he said Grab The Paw while my friends were arguing for Get The Car!

[Damaramu]

Haw. My friends and I used to think Axel was saying "Reactor Paw!" LOL

[Push Upstairs]

Beat-em-ups from that era come from a great lineage of diverse games, but where Final Fight established a particular style of gameplay and stalled, SOR went with it and improved it ten-fold, especially by SOR2.


I think this is the general consensus about SOR. It's totally derivative of Final Fight, but it stole that ball and ran with it, far. Something about the sounds and atmosphere of SOR makes it superior to Final Fight for me.

The SOR series (well, 2+3 anyway) always seemed (to me) to have much smoother and better control than really any other game i've ever played in the same genre.

Even "Final Fight 3", while much better than the first FF, still wasn't quite up to the same level as SOR2.

[Masked Avenger]

The SOR series (well, 2+3 anyway) always seemed (to me) to have much smoother and better control than really any other game i've ever played in the same genre.

Even "Final Fight 3", while much better than the first FF, still wasn't quite up to the same level as SOR2.

Though they are away now, there still seems to be some die-hard FF and DD fans who swear only by those games. I'm not sure if it's out of pure nostalgia, a genuine belief that those attain perfection (with simplicity) or just the old console rivalry (Sega vs Nintendo) that still taint many discussions of this type.

[bangtango]

The SOR series (well, 2+3 anyway) always seemed (to me) to have much smoother and better control than really any other game i've ever played in the same genre.

Even "Final Fight 3", while much better than the first FF, still wasn't quite up to the same level as SOR2.

Though they are away now, there still seems to be some die-hard FF and DD fans who swear only by those games. I'm not sure if it's out of pure nostalgia, a genuine belief that those attain perfection (with simplicity) or just the old console rivalry (Sega vs Nintendo) that still taint many discussions of this type.

Not all of the rabid Double Dragon fans are ducking this thread. I'm still here and headed for the front line, just as soon as I finish lacing up my boots! My opinions are the TRUTH LOL Well, no. They are just opinion. I've defended Final Fight enough for one lifetime, so now I'll bail out Double Dragon.

I know you are supposed to throw realism out the window when you play these type of games, since there aren't many men or women, even in a group of two, who could conquer wave after wave of street thugs.

However, I thought Double Dragon, at least the original game, was a little more gritty and realistic. You didn't have a kangaroo, cyborg or a kid on rollerblades for a selectable character. You didn't fight people who could breathe fire or teleport. The weapons were believable. The only special move you had was an elbow or spin kick. For that reason, DD just seems more authentic. It looks and plays like a real street fight or action movie. Sure, the gameplay was simple but it is also the blueprint for everything a beat-em up should be.

The fact that there are so many home versions of the first two games should speak volumes for the original game's greatness. Whether the final result was good or bad for each version, it made it to nearly as many systems as the Pac-Man games. Anyone care to dispute this? It has even shown up on Tiger handhelds (distant past) and cellphones (recently).

I am well aware that SOR was a first-party Sega title and they didn't have the option of putting it on a bunch of other systems, but DD is no slouch and there are a lot of companies (including Sega, I'll bet) who wish they were the one who came up with it in the 1980's, considering the success and influence it had.

Couple that with the fact it actually was an arcade game originally. People would look at the SOR games a little less fondly if they were originally featured in the arcade and popped up on the Genesis in watered down versions with a lot of cuts made to the graphics and music. If they had originally been arcade games with better graphics and music, even if the Genesis versions looked, sounded and played the same as they do now, a lot more people would be criticizing them today, like they constantly do with the home versions of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II.

It's easy to say the SOR games play great when you have no high-powered arcade version for it to live up to or to be compared to. Even the best home versions of the early Double Dragon games live in the shadow of their arcade counterpart.

It's also easy to put down Double Dragon since most of the home versions were so mediocre and most of the sequels sucked. However, that was often the result of bad programming or underpowered consoles. The Genesis version of Double Dragon should have played much better but was done by a subpar company that wasn't even an official Sega license. Embarrassing! Most of the other home versions came on consoles that predated the Genesis.

I'll put the original Double Dragon arcade game up against anything in the SOR series. Sure, it may not be fair to some but it is also the best version of a Double Dragon game. It is a game everybody should play, if they are a beat-em up fan, even if it is for nostalgia purposes like some people like to believe.

[Push Upstairs]

It's easy to say the SOR games play great when you have no high-powered arcade version for it to live up to or to be compared to. Even the best home versions of the early Double Dragon games live in the shadow of their arcade counterpart.

I'll give you DD on this one...every version of DD i've played has been stiff and control has blown.

But what about "Final Fight"? Forget missing levels, characters, or edited baddies. Was the arcade as stiff on its controls as both the SNES and Sega CD versions?

Even I admit that the first SOR is stiff in the control department compared to 2+3.

[Masked Avenger]

Forget the ports, if you have to! I have no problem comparing old arcade games versus old console games, especially in this day and age where emulation is conveniently available on a single platform (PC).

Many of arcade games from that era still have a wow factor in terms of graphics and, to a lesser extent, sound effects and it's often fun to (re-)experience Alien vs Predator, The Punisher or Final Fight.

But, IMHO, the SOR series has stood the test of time much better than all those games simply because the gameplay is solid. That and that type of games fell out of fashion soon thereafter so there hasn't been a serious challenger since SOR took the crown.

P.S. I'm a Zombie Revenge fan too, one of the few post-SOR beam-em-ups I actually enjoy.

[Garry Silljo]

Zombie Revenge was ok but didnt really do it for me. Too much gun and not enough different hand to hand moves. One thing that keeps Streets of rage fresh longer than other beatem ups is that there are more attacks and different ways to go after your enemies, so it takes a little longer to become tiresome. 2 took things further than 1 in this department and sadly I havent tried 3.

[Masked Avenger]

Zombie Revenge is guilty pleasure. I don't place that game on the same level as SOR.

[Push Upstairs]

2 took things further than 1 in this department and sadly I havent tried 3.

Do yourself a favor and skip SOR3 in favor of "Bare Knuckle 3".

Sega of America made SOR3 so stupidly hard that the game isn't so much fun as it is tedious. Plus everyone has thier orginial color clothes (none of that "gender neutral" PC shit).


As for Zombie Revenge.....i found the control on that game to be really stiff and i'll agree its emphasis on gunplay took alot of fun from it.

Nothing was more annoying that trying to avoid a zombie with a machine gun while only being able to move in a limited space and really slow.

"Dynamite Cop" was somewhat better.

[Rook_Jones]

I think the closest thing to a (successful, fun) modern beat-em-up game has been Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (that was the name, right). I didn't actually play it, but watching it I got that impression. Thin storyline, heavy on the gameplay which involves an immense amount of beating. Also heavy on using surrounding objects to thrash other objects, just like old beat-em-ups.

Unfortunately though, I think this particular genre has either gone through a nearly 100% conversion, or is deader than the SHMUP genre (which still has some life left).

[CartCollector]

Nice work, I did like the "Nintendo Dead" graffiti on the wall too. Nice touch.

Yeah, there's something above it that I can't make out. Pod is dead, maybe?

[bangtango]

Forget the ports, if you have to! I have no problem comparing old arcade games versus old console games, especially in this day and age where emulation is conveniently available on a single platform (PC).

Many of arcade games from that era still have a wow factor in terms of graphics and, to a lesser extent, sound effects and it's often fun to (re-)experience Alien vs Predator, The Punisher or Final Fight.

But, IMHO, the SOR series has stood the test of time much better than all those games simply because the gameplay is solid. That and that type of games fell out of fashion soon thereafter so there hasn't been a serious challenger since SOR took the crown.

P.S. I'm a Zombie Revenge fan too, one of the few post-SOR beam-em-ups I actually enjoy.

Ah, we meet again!

Double Dragon was made into a movie, cartoon and action figures. That is evidence of the impact the game had and the enduring legacy, regardless of how terrible those products were. It still pops up on systems every now and again, such as the Gameboy Advance. There are, I believe, two cellphone versions of the game from the past few years. You know for a FACT that right now some company is thinking of getting another DD game out there, the same way horror directors are always thinking of sequels. How about SOR? Have they been defending their crown?

When was the last time we saw a legitimate Streets of Rage game released by Sega? I'm not counting "fan" versions or mods which will never be played anywhere but online. Someone who doesn't even own a computer can go out and buy a somewhat recent port of Double Dragon for the Advance, a great port at that.

Ports are being made of Double Dragon today. Meanwhile, Streets of Rage is only being seen when it pops up on those PC/console compilations of Sega games. Even if I were to concede the series was King, the King's court has been awful quiet of late.

[Masked Avenger]

You're not going to use Hollywood as a barometer to the quality of games, are you? More Mortal Kombat movies were made than Street Fighter and Super Mario, should we also read into this?

As for the sequel issue, the SOR4 DC project reveals how disconnected US Sega management was. I think the demo wasn't very promising myself, but Sega rejected it because none of the executives were really familiar with the series at all. SOJ also had a loose policy of going for new games instead of old series, though I'm not sure if SOR was a victim of that policy as well.

So, shall we argue game mechanics and gameplay instead? ;)

[bangtango]

Double Post, board was in DEBUG MODE.

[bangtango]

Double Post Part 2, thought the board was down..........Sorry.

[bangtango]

You're not going to use Hollywood as a barometer to the quality of games, are you? More Mortal Kombat movies were made than Street Fighter and Super Mario, should we also read into this?

As for the sequel issue, the SOR4 DC project reveals how disconnected US Sega management was. I think the demo wasn't very promising myself, but Sega rejected it because none of the executives were really familiar with the series at all. SOJ also had a loose policy of going for new games instead of old series, though I'm not sure if SOR was a victim of that policy as well.

So, shall we argue game mechanics and gameplay instead? ;)

I shall lay all the flaws of the Double Dragon arcade game on the table.

http://doubledragon.classicgaming.gamespy.com/features/ddglitches.html

However, you'll need to own up to it and do the same with the SOR games.

It is easy for a console game made in the 1990's to improve on the flaws of an arcade game produced in the 1980's. Sega came into the genre fairly late in the game, compared to most other "classics" in the beat-em up genre, and they were able to learn from the mistakes that were made in the arcade with Double Dragon and Final Fight.

Regardless, if it is going to come down to play control, which people seem to be bringing up.......

Maybe history proves that the SOR games have tight play control but there is nothing about FF or DD in the arcade that makes either of them unplayable or an ordeal.

I'll admit that SOR games have more features, what with more characters, enemies, endings, attacks and weapons. However, bigger doesn't always mean better.

Let's agree to disagree, but I still want you to fess up some of the faults that people found with the SOR games.

[bangtango]

You're not going to use Hollywood as a barometer to the quality of games, are you? More Mortal Kombat movies were made than Street Fighter and Super Mario, should we also read into this?

As for the sequel issue, the SOR4 DC project reveals how disconnected US Sega management was. I think the demo wasn't very promising myself, but Sega rejected it because none of the executives were really familiar with the series at all. SOJ also had a loose policy of going for new games instead of old series, though I'm not sure if SOR was a victim of that policy as well.

So, shall we argue game mechanics and gameplay instead? ;)

I shall lay all the flaws of the Double Dragon arcade game on the table.

http://doubledragon.classicgaming.gamespy.com/features/ddglitches.html

However, you'll need to own up to it and do the same with the SOR games.

It is easy for a console game made in the 1990's to improve on the flaws of an arcade game produced in the 1980's. Sega came into the genre fairly late in the game, compared to most other "classics" in the beat-em up genre, and they were able to learn from the mistakes that were made in the arcade with Double Dragon and Final Fight.

Regardless, if it is going to come down to play control, which people seem to be bringing up.......

Maybe history proves that the SOR games have tight play control but there is nothing about FF or DD in the arcade that makes either of them unplayable or an ordeal.

I'll admit that SOR games have more features, what with more characters, enemies, endings, attacks and weapons. However, bigger doesn't always mean better.

Let's agree to disagree, but I still want you to fess up some of the faults that people found with the SOR games.

[Masked Avenger]

Ok, I can try but if only you promise not to repost the same rebuttal many, many times. :P

Now, I assume I have to highlight the flaws of the series, since we're dealing with 3 games, but maybe it's possible to use SOR3 for the most part as it is the culmination of SOR gameplay.

- Aside from bosses, the series runs out of steam in terms of introducing new enemies after a while. Any of the SOR are longer than your typical arcade beam-em-up, but that's no excuse. I could also argue it handles the 20-25 enemies fairly well and spreads them out well enough, but there comes a point where you just seem to be beating the same enemies over and over again.

- Lenght as a whole is an issue. We all wish for longer gameplay to make a game at full price feel worth while. But I believe SOR plays with a double-edged sword here, offering a stretched gameplay experience that can not always match the short and concentrated gameplay of some of the best arcade beam-em-ups.

- Unlike SNES FF1 and Ninja Warriors, all SOR games were two-player games from the get-go. HOWEVER, some arcade beam-em-ups at the time offered up to 4 players on a single screen. If implemented well, more is the merrier in this type of games. I'm sure some people might bring up technical reasons for this oversight.

- Though there's been some attempt to diversify gameplay in SOR3 (challenges against bulldozer, race in a maze, wind effects, avoid falling objects...), I don't think most of these are really interesting.

- For some insane reason, SOR1 used the police car as a super weapon, a clumsy attempt that completely broke the flow of gameplay, IMHO. It's possible this was inspired by past beam-em-ups like Golden Axe, but even that Sega oldie (from the 80's) handled super weapons more swiftly. Following SOR games remedied this with a completely new system nearly perfected in SOR3.

- After the giant leap from SOR1 to SOR2, one would have expected the number of playable characters to have been beefed up in SOR3, but not quite. Actually, there are ways to unlock some extra characters, but to my disappointment, playing Roo, Shiva and Ash (Japanese SOR3) is gimmicky really. SOR3 failed to deliver something many fans might have expected otherwise.


Is that enough? ;)

[Masked Avenger]

Ok, I can try but if only you promise not to repost the same rebuttal many, many times. :P

Now, I assume I have to highlight the flaws of the series, since we're dealing with 3 games, but maybe it's possible to use SOR3 for the most part as it is the culmination of SOR gameplay.

- Aside from bosses, the series runs out of steam in terms of introducing new enemies after a while. Any of the SOR are longer than your typical arcade beam-em-up, but that's no excuse. I could also argue it handles the 20-25 enemies fairly well and spreads them out well enough, but there comes a point where you just seem to be beating the same enemies over and over again.

- Lenght as a whole is an issue. We all wish for longer gameplay to make a game at full price feel worth while. But I believe SOR plays with a double-edged sword here, offering a stretched gameplay experience that can not always match the short and concentrated gameplay of some of the best arcade beam-em-ups.

- Unlike SNES FF1 and Ninja Warriors, all SOR games were two-player games from the get-go. HOWEVER, some arcade beam-em-ups at the time offered up to 4 players on a single screen. If implemented well, more is the merrier in this type of games. I'm sure some people might bring up technical reasons for this oversight.

- Though there's been some attempt to diversify gameplay in SOR3 (challenges against bulldozer, race in a maze, wind effects, avoid falling objects...), I don't think most of these are really interesting.

- For some insane reason, SOR1 used the police car as a super weapon, a clumsy attempt that completely broke the flow of gameplay, IMHO. It's possible this was inspired by past beam-em-ups like Golden Axe, but even that Sega oldie (from the 80's) handled super weapons more swiftly. Following SOR games remedied this with a completely new system nearly perfected in SOR3.

- After the giant leap from SOR1 to SOR2, one would have expected the number of playable characters to have been beefed up in SOR3, but not quite. Actually, there are ways to unlock some extra characters, but to my disappointment, playing Roo, Shiva and Ash (Japanese SOR3) is gimmicky really. SOR3 failed to deliver something many fans might have expected otherwise.


Is that enough? ;)