Where to Start · Streets of Rage
Where to Start with Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage is Sega's Genesis-era beat-'em-up franchise — walk right, eat turkey off the pavement, and keep the synth bass thumping. No story knowledge is required between entries: every game is a fresh excuse to clear scrolling streets. See the full lineup on GameOrder.
Best for most players: Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 2 (1992) is the consensus peak — widely called both the best in the series and one of the greatest beat-'em-ups ever made. Bigger movesets, Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack energy, tighter pacing, and bosses that still demand respect decades later. If you play one classic entry, make it this cart.
Modern revival: Streets of Rage 4
Streets of Rage 4 (2020) is the natural second stop when you want a current-gen love letter — hand-drawn style, new fighters, risk-reward systems like super moves, and a critically acclaimed revival that keeps the arcade tempo while sanding down jank for modern controllers.
Series history: Streets of Rage
The original Streets of Rage (1991) still matters for history class — it established the series' tone, trio of heroes, and co-op brawling loop. Mechanically and musically, though, everything it does, Streets of Rage 2 does better. Play it if you want the full timeline, not if you only have time for one 16-bit romp.