Streets of Rage Overview
Streets of Rage is a side-scrolling arcade style game where players move through levels, primarily from left to right, defeating groups of enemies before confronting a final boss. The setting involves a city overrun by crime under the control of a syndicate led by Mr. X.
Players control one of three former police officers, Axel, Blaze, or Adam, who have left the force to confront this criminal organization directly. Each character possesses a distinct balance of speed, jumping ability, and attack strength, accessed through a simple control scheme using buttons for jump, attack, and a special ranged attack.
Combat involves a limited set of moves including basic strikes, grapples, and aerial attacks, with additional cooperative maneuvers available in two-player mode. Health can be restored by collecting food items, while other pick-ups provide weapons, bonus points, or extra lives. Level hazards include pits that cause instant death, which players can also use to defeat enemies.