Streets of Rage 2

The game

A rescue through a troubled city

Adam Hunter has been kidnapped, and Mr. X's Syndicate has reclaimed the streets. Axel and Blaze return with Adam's younger brother Eddie “Skate” Hunter and Axel's friend Max. Their route stretches from downtown into an amusement park, a ship, and industrial battlegrounds. Clear each group of attackers to open the way forward; the scenery gives these compact fights a changing sense of place.

Read the fight

Each section gives you 99 game seconds to defeat its enemies. Clearing it resets the clock, while running out of time costs a fighter. Opponent life gauges help you judge how much resistance remains, with silver gauges and stars marking extra stamina. Close contact automatically becomes a grab, opening another set of attacks. Your own life gauge refills at the start of each stage.

This edition

Genesis / Mega Drive edition

This guide covers the original US Genesis / Mega Drive game. Alongside the main adventure, it includes Duel: a separate contest against another player, won by taking two bouts. Player 1 chooses the arena and whether special attacks are allowed. If a bout reaches its time limit, the fighter with more energy wins.

Start here

1. Set your starting allowance

   Press Start at the title screen, then visit Options. Difficulty ranges from Easy to Hardest, and the Players setting gives you one to five fighters per game. Unchanged settings provide Normal difficulty and three fighters.

2. Pick from the ratings

   Choose 1 Player or 2 Players, then compare the character screen's Power, Technique, Speed, Jump, and Stamina stars. More stars mean a stronger rating. Confirm with Start or C; adventure partners must choose different characters.

3. Open the street's containers

   Break containers as you advance and collect their contents. Apples restore some energy; roast chicken fills the life gauge. Cash bags and gold bars add points, while a 1UP adds another fighter.

Original controls

These are the original game's controls. For keyboard, controller and touch settings in this player, see Controls & help.

Original Genesis controller: D-Button

Left and Right move across the scene; Up and Down move toward its rear and front.

Button B: attack and collect

Press repeatedly for an attack sequence. Over an item or weapon, B picks it up. While grabbing an enemy, hold away from them and press B to throw.

Button C: jump

Press C to jump and B during the jump to attack. Add Left or Right for a traveling jump kick.

Button A: special attacks

A performs a special attack. Stationary and directed specials have different life costs, so use them deliberately.

Buttons B + C: rear attack

Press together for a rear attack when unarmed. Holding a weapon changes this command into a weapon throw.

Start: pause

Press Start during play to pause or resume.

Playing tips

• Budget your specials

  Avoid using directed specials merely to close empty space: they drain life on every use. Stationary specials consume life only when they connect. Treat both as a resource decision, especially when your gauge is low.

• Bring danger into view

  Draw enemies away from the screen edges, where their actions are harder to see. Prioritize armed attackers, and watch ground shadows for enemies arriving from above.

• Keep a useful weapon working

  Avoid standing over spare weapons during an attack: B may swap equipment instead of striking. Repeated drops eventually make a weapon disappear, so protect one that suits your fighter.

• Give your partner space

  In cooperative play, leave room between your attack lanes instead of converging on the same target. Friendly attacks cause damage, so a crowded rescue attempt can become costly.