Streets of Rage 3

From Sega Retro

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Streets of Rage 3
SoR3 iOS icon.png
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, iOS, Steam
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Streets of Rage 3, called Bare Knuckle III (ベアナックルIII) in Japan, is a side-scrolling beat 'em up released by Sega in 1994 for the Sega Mega Drive. It is third and final part of the Streets of Rage trilogy, and a direct sequel to Streets of Rage 2.

Gameplay

Streets of Rage 3 aimed to build on the success of its predecessor, so while the style of gameplay and control scheme is largely identical to its predecessors, significant changes were made to the overall structure of the game. Streets of Rage 3 is a faster paced release with longer levels, a more complex plot (which in turn leads to more in-depth scenarios complete with interactive levels and multiple endings) and the return of traps such as pits. Dash and dodge moves were added to each character's arsenal of moves, and weapons can now only be used for a few times before breaking.

Changes to the fighting mechanics allows for the integration of weapons with certian movesets. Team attacks, absent from Streets of Rage 2 but available in the original Streets of Rage, make a return, and are occasionally used by enemies too. Blitz moves, performed while running, have also been altered and are now upgradable over the course of the game (predicated on how many points are earned per level). Death causes a downgrade, however holding the X button before a series of button combinations can give players access to the upgraded moveset at any point in the game, at the expense of the time taken to perform attacks.

Enemies are also smarter with weapons, and some can even steal health upgrades, and there are also several secret playable characters, unlockable after overcoming certain conditions during the game. Special moves also no longer drain the user's health - a separate, automarically regenerating bar is introduced for this purpose.

Development

Prototype screenshots show that at one point, a motorcycle stage was planned for Streets of Rage 3, with some leftover code being present in the final game ROM. It is unknown why this feature was axed.

In comparison to its predecessors, Streets of Rage 3 takes a radically different approach to its soundtrack. Though still composed by Yuzo Koshiro, it is heavily influenced by Detroit's hard techno scene, popular in Tokyo dance clubs of the time. The soundtrack gathered a mixed reception in 1994, though is retrospectively considered by many to have been ahead of its time, containing elements similar to the "trance" era of dance music which would grow in popularity in the coming months and years.

Koshiro developed a composition system for this game, called the "Automated Composing System". Using features such as a random note generator (programmed in C++) , the soundtrack has a much more experimental tone, particularly noticable in tracks such as "Bulldozer", whose composition is almost entirely randomised.

Like its predecessor, Motohiro Kawashima also contributed to the game's soundtrack.

Localisation Changes

Streets of Rage 3 is a controversial game among many thanks to Sega of America's heavy-handed localisation policies of the era. Unlike previous releases, the differences between Bare Knuckle III and Streets of Rage 3 are extremely obvious, involving the removal of features, a vastly different story (riddled in plotholes and missing scenes) and a higher level of difficulty (made worse by the fact that on the "easy" setting, the overseas release will stop after stage 5).

Of particular note is the use of "gender neutral colours" amongst the character sprites, which leads to inconsistencies with both Streets of Rage's cover art (in all regions) and the designs in previous games. Scantily clad female characters were covered up an entire miniboss (Ash) was removed due to his perceived homosexuality. These and other changes ultimately hurt critical reception in Europe and North America, with some reviewers urging Streets of Rage series fans import Bare Knuckle III or skip this title entirely.

Today, an unofficial fan translation is available for the Bare Knuckle III ROM, whose script was used with the permission of the original author. Other hacks bring back the lost motorbike stages and additional areas of round 6 which were originally removed in the western releases of the game.

Re-releases

Compared to its prequels, Streets of Rage 3 is a less common and more expensive game to find in its original Mega Drive form. It has, however, been released for the Japanese version of Sonic Gems Collection for the GameCube and PlayStation 2. The game also appeared in Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and is available from multiple download services.

Production Credits

Bare Knuckle III

Producer: Ossiy, Noriyuki
Director: Yui
Planner

  • Main Planner: Wanter
  • Shinkon Planner: Zozo

Designer

  • Total Design: Seisi Atumiya
  • Mechanic Design: Ryuryu
  • Character Design: ..., Ryuryu, Kaseizin, Juntaro, Ma‑Kun
  • Scene Design: Kaz Ewasawa, Noomin, Kanjii

Programer

  • Main Program: Momonga Momo
  • Enemy Program: Takosuke, Chata, Nagisa, Mr・Nobody
  • Scene Program: Tonsyun

Sound

Voice: Saru Man, Elilin, Kami, Hamako, Yossy
Special Thanks: Say A, Tetsu, O Kitaoka, Hassy, Todoroki Taiyo, Miya, Koromi, Four
Produced by: Sega

Streets of Rage 3

Producers: Ossiy, Noriyuki, Max Taylor
Director: Yui
Product Manager: France Tantiado
Planning

  • Main Planner: Wanter
  • Assistant Planner: Zozo

Design

  • Concept Designer: Seisi Atumiya
  • Animation Designer: Ryuryu
  • Character Designers: ..., Ryuryu, Kaseizin, Juntaro, Ma‑Kun
  • Background Designers: Kaz Ewasawa, Noomin, Kanjii

Programming

  • Lead Programmer: Momonga Momo
  • Character Programmers: Takosuke, Chata, Nagisa, Mr・Nobody
  • Background Programmer: Tonsyun

Music

Sound Effects: Saru Man, Elilin, Kami, Hamako, Yossy
Special Thanks to: Say A, Tetsu, O Kitaoka, Hassy, Todoroki Taiyo, Miya, Koromi, Four, Steve Burton, James Spahn, Shinobu Yokoyama, Marianne Arotzarena, David Javelosa, Stewart Kosoy, Adam Sevillia
Game Testing: Julio Martinez, Lance Nelson, Jeff Junio, Atom Ellis, Jason Kuo, Ty Johnson, Daniel Dunn, Joe Cain, Tony Lynch, Siegie Stangenberg, Rick Greer, Harry Chavez, Simon Lu, Greg Watkins, David Martin, Maria Tuzzo, Christine Watson, Jeff Todd, Greg Becksted, Vy Nong, Ivan Foong, Kurt Tindle, Terry Thomas, Alex Villagran, Sam Saliba, Michael Williams, Wesley Gittens, Kim Rogers, Greg Fleming, Fernando Valderrama, Ray Alferez, Mark Subotnick
Produced by: Sega

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
67
89 №32, p84/85/86
82 №152, p55
73
90
72 №31, p66/99/100/101
72 №20, p36/37
90
83 №10, p43
90 №29, p64/65/66/67
83 №20, p42/43/44/45
85 №42, p104/105
83 №55, p38/39
82 №32, p64/65
Sega Mega Drive
 82
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[1]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
67
[2]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
75
[3]
Consoles + (FR)
89
[4]
Cool Gamer (RU)
80
[5]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
82
[6]
Digitiser (UK) PAL
75
[7]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
73
[8]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[9]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
78
[10]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
90
[11]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
83
[12]
Gamers (DE)
47
[13]
Gamestar (AU) NTSC-J
74
[14]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
44
[15]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
78
[16]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
50
[17]
Hyper (AU)
83
[18]
Joypad (FR)
72
[19]
Joypad (HU)
72
[20]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
76
[21]
Mega (UK) NTSC-J
72
[22]
Mega Force (FR)
94
[23]
Mega Fun (DE)
75
[24]
Mega Power (UK) PAL
83
[25]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-J
90
[26]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-J
83
[27]
Player One (FR)
85
[28]
Play Time (DE)
84
[29]
Sega Magazin (DE)
86
[30]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
90
[31]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
83
[32]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
82
[33]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-J
86
[34]
Sega Force (SE)
90
[35]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
80
[36]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
78
[37]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
85
[38]
Super Juegos (ES)
86
[39]
Todo Sega (ES)
89
[40]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
82
[41]
Video Games (DE) PAL
77
[42]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[43]
Video Plus (CZ)
90
[44]
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
44 reviews

Streets of Rage 3

Mega Drive, US
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Cover
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Cart
Mega Drive, EU
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Cover
Sor3 md eu cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Sor3 md jp cover.jpg
Cover
SOR3 MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Sor3 md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR
SoR3 MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Sor3 md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR
SoR MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
SoR3 MD KR cart.jpg
Cart

External Links



SoR 1UP sprite Games in the Streets of Rage Series
Streets of Rage (3D) (1991) | Streets of Rage 2 (3D) (1992) | Streets of Rage 3 (1994) | Streets of Rage 4 (2020)
Streets of Rage (LCD) (1993) | Bare Knuckle Mobile (2010) | Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage (2012)
Related Games
Streets Of Kamurocho (2020) | Fighting Force (unreleased) | Streets of Rage 4 (Dreamcast) (unreleased) | Streets of Rage Online (unreleased)
Related Media
Music
 Bare Knuckle (1991) | Streets of Rage 2 Original Soundtrack (1993) | Bare Knuckle III (1994) | Bare Knuckle Original Soundtrack (2012) | Streets of Rage (2015) | Streets of Rage 2 (2016) | Streets of Rage 3 (2017) | Streets of Rage 4 Limited Run Games Exclusive Track Selection (2020) | Streets of Rage Perfect Soundtrack (2017) | Streets of Rage 4 Original Soundtrack (2020) | Streets of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare The Definitive Soundtrack (2022)
Book
 Streets of Rage: Bad City Fighters (1994) | Warpzone Clássicos: Streets of Rage (2016)
Other List of Streets of Rage merchandise
  1. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 225
  2. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1994" (DE; 1994-10-04), page 20
  3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1994" (JP; 1994-03-08), page 19
  4. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 84
  5. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 24
  6. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-15), page 55
  7. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1994-08-02)
  8. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 34
  9. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 362
  10. ↑ GameFan, "Volume 2, Issue 7: June 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 26
  11. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 7 July 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 84
  12. ↑ GamePro, "August 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 44
  13. ↑ Gamers, "Juli/August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-01), page 34
  14. ↑ Gamestar, "June 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 54
  15. ↑ Games World: The Magazine, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-05-26), page 17
  16. ↑ Game Informer, "July/August 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 16
  17. ↑ Hippon Super, "April 1994" (JP; 1994-03-03), page 61
  18. ↑ Hyper, "June 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 30
  19. ↑ Joypad, "Mai 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 66
  20. ↑ Joypad, "1/1995" (HU; 1995-xx-xx), page 21
  21. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-13), page 40
  22. ↑ Mega, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 37
  23. ↑ Mega Force, "Mai 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 78
  24. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/94" (DE; 1994-05-18), page 92
  25. ↑ Mega Power, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 43
  26. ↑ MegaTech, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 14
  27. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 42
  28. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 104
  29. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 134
  30. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-11), page 10
  31. ↑ Sega Magazine, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-15), page 78
  32. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-04-28), page 38
  33. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 64
  34. ↑ Sega Zone, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-xx), page 38
  35. ↑ Sega Force, "6/94" (SE; 1994-09-14), page 10
  36. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "2" (RU; 1996-01-03), page 18
  37. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  38. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "July 8th 1994" (UK; 1994-06-25), page 10
  39. ↑ Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 46
  40. ↑ Todo Sega, "Junio 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 56
  41. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 187
  42. ↑ Video Games, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-29), page 87
  43. ↑ VideoGames, "July 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 70
  44. ↑ Video Plus, "" (CZ; 199x-xx-xx), page 1
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