Difference between revisions of "Streets of Rage 2"

From Sega Retro

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'''''Streets of Rage 2''''', known as '''''Bare Knuckle 2''''' in Japan, is a Beat 'Em Up sidescroller for the [[Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]] released during 1992-1993. It recieved a 8-bit port for the [[Master System]] and [[Game Gear]] as well as being included on numerous compilations. It is available on [[Virtual Console]] and the [[Xbox Live Arcade]].
 
  
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The music for was composed by [[Yuzo Koshiro]] (well known for his work with the ''Revenge of Shinobi') and [[Motohiro Kawashima]].
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'''''Streets of Rage 2''''', known as '''''Bare Knuckle 2''''' in Japan, is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up for the [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive / Genesis]], released in 1993. It received 8-bit ports for the [[Sega Master System]] and [[Sega Game Gear]], as well as being included on numerous compilations of Mega Drive games. More recently, it was made available on the [[Virtual Console]] and [[Xbox Live Arcade]] download services.
  
 
==Storyline==
 
==Storyline==
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The game's storyline takes place one year after the events of ''[[Streets of Rage]]''. Adam Hunter, Axel Stone, and Blaze Fielding go to a nightspot and reminise over the defeat of Mr. X. The following day Axel gets a call from Eddie "Skate" Hunter, Adam's younger brother, saying he returned to the house to find it in shambles and a picture with Adam chained to a wall next to Mr. X was left behind. They all decide to go on a rescue mission and to hopefully break up Mr. X's gang again.
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The game's storyline is set one year after the events of its prequel ''[[Streets of Rage]]''. That game's protagonists Adam Hunter, Axel Stone, and Blaze Fielding go to a nightspot and reminisce over their defeat of Mr. X. The following day Axel gets a call from Eddie "Skate" Hunter, Adam's younger brother, telling him that he returned to the brothers' house to find it in shambles, with a picture of Adam chained to a wall next to Mr. X left behind. Axel, Blaze, Skate and their friend Max embark on a mission to rescue their friend and hopefully break up Mr. X's criminal gang once again.
  
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==Characters==  
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==Characters==
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'''Axel Stone''' is the most popular character, and the best choice for beginners. His blitz attack is the Grand Upper, which is arguably the most useful and effective move of the game, great for bosses and enemies with a "breakout" special move. He has average movement speed and agility.
 
  
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'''Blaze Fielding''' is another well rounded and popular character. Her speed matches that of Axel Stone although she appears to be faster (her speed percentage is the same as his).
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'''Axel Stone''' is the most popular character, and the best choice for beginners due to his all-round stats. His blitz attack is the Grand Upper, which is arguably the most useful and effective move of the game due to its high damage but relatively fast execution, which make it effective against bosses and enemies with a "breakout" special move. He has average movement speed and agility.
  
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'''Eddie "Skate" Hunter''' ( Sammy Hunter in Japan) is the lightest and most agile character, also the weakest in terms of combo damage but the second strongest in terms of grappling. However, Skate is the only character capable of sprinting, by double-tapping a direction, and this can allow him to escape many attacks which the other characters could not.
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'''Blaze Fielding''' is another well rounded and popular character. Her speed rating on the character select screen matches that of Axel, although she appears to be faster. She also deals less damage with some of her moves.
  
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'''Max Thunder''' is the absolute "Powerhouse" of the game. He has great strength but incredibly slow speed which puts him at a disadvantage with speedier enemies.
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'''Eddie "Skate" Hunter''' ('''Sammy Hunter''' in Japan) is the lightest and most agile character, the weakest in terms of combo damage, but the second strongest in terms of grappling. Skate is the only character capable of sprinting, thanks to the rollerskates after which he is named, which can allow him to escape many attacks which the other characters would not be able to avoid.
  
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==Special Moves== 
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'''Max Thunder''' is the 'powerhouse' of the game, possessing great strength. This is offset by his very slow speed, which puts him at a disadvantage with speedier enemies.
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In ''Streets of Rage 2'', each character is given a blitz attack which will allow the player to do great damage with a single hit. Each characters blitz attack is unique to that character. The amount of times they can be used is limited. In addition, each character has their own unique move that causes substantial damage and is activated by double tapping forward and then pressing B.
 
  
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==Soundtrack==  
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==Special moves==
 +
In ''Streets of Rage 2'', each character is given their own unique blitz attack, which allows the player to deal great damage with a single hit. They also have 'breakout' moves that allow them to break out of holds, and can damage enemies both in front of and behind them. The amount of times that blitz and breakout attacks can be used is limited, as each decreases the player's life gauge (the latter only if the move connects, the former always). In addition, each character has a unique move (e.g. Axel's Grand Upper, noted above) that causes substantial damage without depleting their energy.
  
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Yuzo Koshiro released another soundtrack co-composed with Motohiro Kawashima. There are a few unused beta tracks. Two of which appear in the final game's sound test: (The exception being Walking Bottom, which appeared in the Bare Knuckle 2 beta dump.) Go Straight, and Little Money Avenue. (The mix of Go Straight are the unused mixes found in the sound test and not the final versions actually used during the game.) This is by far the easiest of the three soundtracks to find because it had a US release as well as a Japanese release. This soundtrack is actually considered to be the best by some.
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==Soundtrack==
  
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==Bare Knuckle 2 Beta==
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''Streets of Rage 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>'s soundtrack was composed by [[Yuzo Koshiro]] (known for his work on the first ''[[Streets of Rage]]'' and ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'') and [[Motohiro Kawashima]]. It is by far the easiest of the series' three soundtracks to find in physical form, because it had a US release as well as a Japanese one, and is considered by some to be the best of the series.
  
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A beta dump of Bare Knuckle 2 is actually available. The dump is very different from the final and only Round 1 is playable. The game lacks sound effects and the lost music track Walking Bottom is played all through the game. The player cannot pick up weapons, even if they are within range of being picked up. Max has a different sprite set and can vault enemies which means he cannot pull off his atomic power throw.
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There are a few unused/beta tracks. One of these, "Walking Bottom", exists in the [[Bare Knuckle II beta]] [[ROM]]. Two appear in the final game's sound test: "Go Straight" and "Little Money Avenue". The former is featured in the game, albeit in a different mix.
  
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==Regional Differences==
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==Bare Knuckle II beta==
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The  Japanese version is of the game is unaltered and therefore has no censorship. The US version however, has the Cigar Mr.X is smoking in round 8 removed as well as the ability to see up Blaze's skirt when she performs certain moves.  The Eurpopean version has the upskirt animations present but doesn't have the Cigar in it.
 
  
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In the Japanese version, Skate is known as "Sammy" in reference to the company [[Sammy]]'s DJ Boy. Both names are in the roms of the final version of the game. If the regions were to be changed, Skate/Sammy's name would change as well depending upon region. Max Thunder is known as "Max Hatchett" in the European version of the game.
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A beta [[ROM]] of ''Bare Knuckle 2'' is available. The dump is very different from the final, and only Round 1 is playable. The game lacks sound effects, and the scrapped music track "Walking Bottom" is played throughout. The player cannot pick up weapons, even if they are within range. Max has a different sprite set, and can vault enemies, which means he cannot perform his Atomic power throw.
  
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The European and Japanese versions of the game are interchangeable between European and Japan settings. Therefore, the Japanese version of the game could be played on a PAL Console and vice versa. The US version is region locked to only work on NTSC U/C consoles. Despite this locking, the tiles for the Bare Knuckle II title screen as well as the next data for the name "Sammy" are still present in the US rom.
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==Regional differences==
  
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==Trivia==
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The Japanese version is of the game is the original unaltered one, and therefore has no censorship. The US version was edited to remove the cigar smoked by Mr. X in round 8, as well as removing the ability to see up Blaze's skirt when she performs certain moves.  The European version has the upskirt animations, but no cigar.
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*Streets of Rage 2 was actually one of the very first Megadrive games to be region locked.
 
  
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==Technical Information==
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In the Japanese version, Eddy "Skate" Hunter is called Sammy Hunter, in reference to the company [[Sammy]]'s ''[[DJ Boy]]'', another side-scrolling beat-'em'up, whose titular character also wears rollerskates. Both names can be found in the [[ROM]] of the final version of the game, and are chosen between depending on the region of the Mega Drive (or emulator being used). Also, Max Thunder is called Max Hatchett in the European version of the game.  
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'''ROM Size''': 2MB<br/>
 
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'''Sound Engine''': Custom (Mucom-MD, Ver0.85, Programmed by T.Maruyama, M.N.M Software)<br/>
 
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'''Graphics''': Unknown
 
  
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==Physical Scans==
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The European and Japanese versions of the game are interchangeable between European and Japan region settings. Therefore, the Japanese version of the game could be played on a [[PAL]] console (at the correct speed, as the PAL version runs in unoptimised 50 Hz) and vice versa. The US version is region locked to only work on [[NTSC]] US/Canadian consoles. Despite this locking, the tiles for the ''Bare Knuckle II'' title screen and data for the name "Sammy" are still present in the US ROM. ''Streets of Rage 2'' was one of the very first Megadrive games to be region locked.
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===Mega Drive Version===
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==Technical information==
 +
'''[[ROM]] size''': 2MB<br/>
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'''Sound engine''': Custom (Mucom-MD, Ver0.85, Programmed by T.Maruyama, M.N.M Software)<br/>
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
===Mega Drive version===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:Sor2 md us cover.jpg|US cover
 
File:Sor2 md us cover.jpg|US cover
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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===Game Gear Version===
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===Game Gear version===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:Sor2 gg us cover.jpg|US cover
 
File:Sor2 gg us cover.jpg|US cover
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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===Master System Version===
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===Master System version===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:SoR2 SMS EU cover.jpg|EU cover
 
File:SoR2 SMS EU cover.jpg|EU cover

Revision as of 16:55, 28 June 2010

n/a

Sor2 title.png

Streets of Rage 2
System(s): Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, MegaPlay, Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Side-scrolling fighter

















CERO
Missing Parameter!

Streets of Rage 2, known as Bare Knuckle 2 in Japan, is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up for the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, released in 1993. It received 8-bit ports for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear, as well as being included on numerous compilations of Mega Drive games. More recently, it was made available on the Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade download services.

Storyline

The game's storyline is set one year after the events of its prequel Streets of Rage. That game's protagonists Adam Hunter, Axel Stone, and Blaze Fielding go to a nightspot and reminisce over their defeat of Mr. X. The following day Axel gets a call from Eddie "Skate" Hunter, Adam's younger brother, telling him that he returned to the brothers' house to find it in shambles, with a picture of Adam chained to a wall next to Mr. X left behind. Axel, Blaze, Skate and their friend Max embark on a mission to rescue their friend and hopefully break up Mr. X's criminal gang once again.

Characters

Axel Stone is the most popular character, and the best choice for beginners due to his all-round stats. His blitz attack is the Grand Upper, which is arguably the most useful and effective move of the game due to its high damage but relatively fast execution, which make it effective against bosses and enemies with a "breakout" special move. He has average movement speed and agility.

Blaze Fielding is another well rounded and popular character. Her speed rating on the character select screen matches that of Axel, although she appears to be faster. She also deals less damage with some of her moves.

Eddie "Skate" Hunter (Sammy Hunter in Japan) is the lightest and most agile character, the weakest in terms of combo damage, but the second strongest in terms of grappling. Skate is the only character capable of sprinting, thanks to the rollerskates after which he is named, which can allow him to escape many attacks which the other characters would not be able to avoid.

Max Thunder is the 'powerhouse' of the game, possessing great strength. This is offset by his very slow speed, which puts him at a disadvantage with speedier enemies.

Special moves

In Streets of Rage 2, each character is given their own unique blitz attack, which allows the player to deal great damage with a single hit. They also have 'breakout' moves that allow them to break out of holds, and can damage enemies both in front of and behind them. The amount of times that blitz and breakout attacks can be used is limited, as each decreases the player's life gauge (the latter only if the move connects, the former always). In addition, each character has a unique move (e.g. Axel's Grand Upper, noted above) that causes substantial damage without depleting their energy.

Soundtrack

Streets of Rage 2''s soundtrack was composed by Yuzo Koshiro (known for his work on the first Streets of Rage and The Revenge of Shinobi) and Motohiro Kawashima. It is by far the easiest of the series' three soundtracks to find in physical form, because it had a US release as well as a Japanese one, and is considered by some to be the best of the series.

There are a few unused/beta tracks. One of these, "Walking Bottom", exists in the Bare Knuckle II beta ROM. Two appear in the final game's sound test: "Go Straight" and "Little Money Avenue". The former is featured in the game, albeit in a different mix.

Bare Knuckle II beta

A beta ROM of Bare Knuckle 2 is available. The dump is very different from the final, and only Round 1 is playable. The game lacks sound effects, and the scrapped music track "Walking Bottom" is played throughout. The player cannot pick up weapons, even if they are within range. Max has a different sprite set, and can vault enemies, which means he cannot perform his Atomic power throw.

Regional differences

The Japanese version is of the game is the original unaltered one, and therefore has no censorship. The US version was edited to remove the cigar smoked by Mr. X in round 8, as well as removing the ability to see up Blaze's skirt when she performs certain moves. The European version has the upskirt animations, but no cigar.

In the Japanese version, Eddy "Skate" Hunter is called Sammy Hunter, in reference to the company Sammy's DJ Boy, another side-scrolling beat-'em'up, whose titular character also wears rollerskates. Both names can be found in the ROM of the final version of the game, and are chosen between depending on the region of the Mega Drive (or emulator being used). Also, Max Thunder is called Max Hatchett in the European version of the game.

The European and Japanese versions of the game are interchangeable between European and Japan region settings. Therefore, the Japanese version of the game could be played on a PAL console (at the correct speed, as the PAL version runs in unoptimised 50 Hz) and vice versa. The US version is region locked to only work on NTSC US/Canadian consoles. Despite this locking, the tiles for the Bare Knuckle II title screen and data for the name "Sammy" are still present in the US ROM. Streets of Rage 2 was one of the very first Megadrive games to be region locked.

Technical information

ROM size: 2MB
Sound engine: Custom (Mucom-MD, Ver0.85, Programmed by T.Maruyama, M.N.M Software)

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

  • US cover

  • US cart

  • US 'Not For Resale' cart

  • EU cover

  • EU cart

  • JP cover

  • JP cart

Game Gear version

  • US cover

  • US cart

  • EU cover

  • JP cover

  • JP cart

Master System version

  • EU cover

  • BR cover

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