This Fan Project Is All The Rage

Copyright: Streets of Rage is property of Sega, This project was created as a work of love by Bombergames

Ethics and brevity: I have no affiliation with Streets of Rage or Sega or Bombergames , im just a fan. 

In the world of beat 'em up games, two titans stand tall: Capcom's Final Fight and its fierce competitor, Sega's Streets of Rage.  From the arcades to the heated 90s console wars, Streets of Rage made its mark with its bass-boosted, synth-heavy soundtracks and hard-hitting, bare-knuckle brawling heroes. Sega's gritty street-fighting series wasn’t just a game; it became a cultural icon, delivering thrilling action and unforgettable music that resonated with players and defined an era.

Streets of Rage wasn’t just competing—it was carving out its own legacy. Sega capitalized on its unique identity, with gameplay that felt raw and responsive, while the unforgettable soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro added an electrifying pulse to each punch, kick, and combo. Unlike the more arcade-focused Final Fight, Streets of Rage brought its brand of action to living rooms, giving Sega fans a definitive edge during the console wars. Players embraced its urban, gritty setting and the trio of protagonists—Axel, Blaze, and Adam—who fought their way through waves of enemies to take down the nefarious Mr. X and his crime syndicate.

The game’s fluid combat, cooperative gameplay, and addictive challenge made it a standout, while its sequels pushed the series to even greater heights. With each installment, Streets of Rage refined its mechanics and grew its fanbase, cementing its status as one of the greatest beat 'em ups in gaming history. Decades later, it still stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Final Fight, and for many, remains the definitive brawler of the '90s.

We also have a let's play of the game which you can watch here: Streets Of Rage Remake - YouTube

Story

The story behind the Streets of Rage remake may seem straightforward at first glance: you play as one of three former police officers—Axel Stone, Adam Hunter, or Blaze Fielding—on a mission to clean up the crime-ridden streets of Wood Oak City and take down the sinister Mr. X and his criminal empire. But there’s more to it than just a simple beat-’em-up. In my playthrough, I chose Axel Stone. Picture this: Axel, a rookie cop with a strong sense of justice, gets into a scuffle with a low-level thug, delivering a punishing uppercut that bruises both the thug's ego and his body. Fast forward a year later, and that same thug returns—not as a common criminal, but as a dangerous and powerful figure in the city’s underworld.

From there, the game delivers a captivating story, detailing how the once-peaceful city fell into chaos. A criminal syndicate led by Mr. X seized control, bribing politicians and infiltrating the police force. Now, the streets are ruled by violence, leaving innocent citizens in constant fear. But amidst the turmoil, three brave officers—Axel, Adam, and Blaze—decide to take matters into their own hands. With nothing but their bare fists and a thirst for justice, they fight to reclaim the city from the grip of corruption in what can only be called a true Street of Rage.

After an epic lore drop, we’re dropped straight into action, hitting the streets and greeted by the welcoming committee—the game’s classic goons. These low-level thugs aren’t much of a challenge at first, easily dealt with as we brawl through gang violence on our way to the first landmark: a saloon tucked away in a shady alley. But before we can grab a drink, we’re confronted by our first boss—a rabid, clawed brute that’s surprisingly tough for an early game encounter, even by the “you died, insert coin” standards of late '80s arcade games. However, with some clever strategy and good use of your arsenal, you’ll conquer this beastly foe and finally make your way into the saloon

Inside, more goons await, along with the owner of this fine establishment. But why linger downstairs when the rooftops promise more chaos? Cue the rooftop chase, where everyone’s screaming and chaos reigns. Also, let’s just say it now—Jet sucks. This flying menace is easily one of the most annoying enemies in the game, thanks to his high damage output and the limited space you have to fight him and His ability to fly in the sky and dive bomb you is insanely annoying. But once you take him down, you’ll feel unstoppable—like you can take on anyone.

And "anyone" is exactly who you’ll face as you parkour across the rooftops, before taking a wild leap of faith onto a subway rooftop. Like any adrenaline junkie with zero self-preservation, we’re now subway surfing while dodging goons throwing grenades from the sides of the train. Yeah, these guys suck. Between them and the tricky moving platforms designed to knock you off, this part is a true test of patience. But make it through, and you’ll drop down into the subway. The subway feels familiar, sharing the same gritty vibes as the park and streets, but here’s where things get intense. Remember that boss you took down outside the bar? He’s back—and somehow even tougher. It’s like New York’s subway system, overcrowded and filled with way too many people out to get you as you head towards the next stop: the park.

The park itself is a shorter stage, but we get a juicy plot twist. Turns out, Mr. X is funding this park as a front for one of his more "legitimate" ventures and charity operations. Of course, Adam quickly suspects there’s more to this park than meets the eye, and—surprise, surprise—he’s right. Something sinister lurks beneath the surface. As it turns out, Mr. X is up to no good beneath the park—he’s secretly mining for something valuable. And let me tell you, the mine sections are an absolute nightmare. Like the subway, they introduce a fresh obstacle: a guy speeding at you in a minecart, ready to ram into you if you don’t dodge in time. Combine that with waves of enemies, and the chaos ramps up fast. But once you find your rhythm, it’s manageable... mostly.

Finally free from the mines, you find yourself in a shady factory. This time, you’re being chased by a massive vehicle, and walls are constantly dropping in your path, forcing you to think fast. Oddly enough, it’s kind of fun—especially once you figure out that the secret to beating this monster truck is simply kicking it until it breaks down! However, the fun is short-lived because, of course, Jet and his flying goons make an unwelcome return. Ugh, Jet again... Once you clip Jet’s wings for good, you’re rescued by a police helicopter. But, as luck would have it, the engine starts failing mid-flight. What’s the logical solution? Hijack an enemy jet, naturally. The helicopter fight is a blast, with wave after wave of goons flooding in as you try to dodge the jet’s door opening mid-air. If you play it smart, though, you can use the door to send enemies plummeting out of the chopper. It’s a wild ride. But just when you think you’re in the clear, Jet somehow survives (because of course he does) and crashes the jet into a nearby island.

The island stage feels ripped straight out of the most over-the-top 1980s action movie you’ve ever seen. Honestly, if Streets of Rage leaned any more into the '80s, Axel Stone would be a coke-addicted Pierre Kirby clone. The place is packed with ninjas, motorcycle gang members, and as you venture deeper, you start facing mini T-1000 lookalikes straight out of Terminator. The chaos escalates when you find yourself speeding down a road on a motorcycle, battling rival biker gangs in a sequence that feels like Mad Max meets Sonic the Hedgehog with the neon-blue hedgehog advertised on the desolate wasteland signs. It’s an intense ride.

Once you survive the motorcycle gang war, you’re back in the city, arriving at a dock swarming with enemies. Luckily, clearing them out is a breeze compared to what’s ahead. The harbor leads you to the entrance of Mr. X’s headquarters, but before you can storm the place, there’s one last obstacle—his army of ninjas.

Mr. X’s bamboo garden is crawling with ninjas. So. Many. Ninjas. Among them is his right-hand assassin, Rudra , who puts up one hell of a fight. She’s constantly hiding off-screen, hurling shuriken, and unleashing a barrage of jump kicks. After a tough battle, you finally take her down. She tries one last desperate trick—hypnotizing you—but, not to kill you. But to help you, once she lets you break free from her hypnotism and she leads into Mr. X’s palace. Now, the palace of Mr. X is an imposing fortress, a perfect fit for a final showdown. You and your crew of elite police officers—and, of course, Skate—begin your ascent, fighting through waves of enemies and bosses as you ride the elevator up to face Mr. X himself. Or so you think. Plot twist: he’s actually a ROBOT! The battle against Robo-X isn’t too difficult, and after folding him like freshly pressed laundry, you bring him down... but not before he activates a self-destruct sequence.

With just three minutes to escape, the pressure’s on. But of course, it’s not that simple—the way down is filled with obstacles, and you realize you need a keycard to get out. Cue the frantic backtrack to find it. Once you have the keycard, time is running out, and your fate depends on how quickly you can escape. Will you meet the bad ending, going down as a hero, or will you snag the good ending just in the nick of time?

Overall Thoughts

This fan game is truly a labor of love, and it shows in every detail. From bringing back cut content—like the much-missed motorcycle section—to adding new elements that fans always dreamed of, such as the possibility of battling Cody from Final Fight, the team behind this project went above and beyond. There are plenty of hidden gems and surprises, but I’ll leave those for you to discover. What really stands out is how the creators seamlessly combined elements from the first three *Streets of Rage* games into one cohesive, exciting story. It's a testament to how alive and passionate the fanbase still is about the Streets of Rage (or Bare Knuckle) series, and this game celebrates that legacy with style.

Buy the game here: NEW- Streets of Rage Remake v5.2 Download and Info