Streets of Rage

Streets of Rage for Sega Master System is Sega's 1993 adaptation of the hit side-scrolling beat 'em up, developed by Ancient and published by Sega. Set in a city overwhelmed by a criminal syndicate, it follows former police officers Adam Hunter, Axel Stone, and Blaze Fielding after they abandon the force to confront the organization and its leader, Mr. X. This Master System release brings the series' street-level vigilante story and brawling format to Sega's 8-bit console in a version built for one player.

After selecting Adam, Axel, or Blaze, the player advances through eight rounds by clearing hostile fighters from each area. Encounters play out on horizontally scrolling streets and other city locations, where positioning matters as enemies approach from both directions. Reaching the end of a section calls for dispatching the remaining opponents, and most rounds culminate in a tougher boss confrontation before the next location opens. The route ultimately leads to the syndicate's headquarters and a final showdown with Mr. X.

Combat centers on direct hand-to-hand attacks, jumping strikes, throws, and close-range moves that change with the character's position around an opponent. Each hero has a different balance of speed, jumping ability, and strength, encouraging players to choose a style that suits them. Weapons left in the environment, including items such as bottles, pipes, and bats, can be picked up and used against the gangs. Food pickups restore health, while extra-life and support-car items provide valuable help during a long run.

A limited special attack lets the chosen ex-cop call in support from a police car, striking the enemies on screen at the cost of a finite supply. That emergency option creates a useful decision: save it for a crowded encounter or use it to get clear of immediate danger. Stages also add hazards and changing layouts to the fistfights, including precarious areas where a missed step can be as dangerous as an enemy blow. The Master System game keeps the eight-round structure but is a solo experience, unlike the better-known two-player 16-bit version.

This 8-bit edition is more than a retitled release of the Game Gear game. Adam remains among the playable characters, and the Master System version follows the larger game's eight-stage progression. It also includes a distinct boss encounter in its sixth round. The conversion reshapes the presentation and music for Master System hardware while retaining the recognizable characters, urban locations, weapons, and police-assist mechanic that established Streets of Rage as one of Sega's defining beat 'em up series.

Yuzo Koshiro's music remains part of the game's identity, adapted here for the Master System's sound hardware. Streets of Rage on Master System arrived late in the console's commercial life, with releases in Europe and Brazil, and it stands as a platform-specific take on the opening chapter of a long-running Sega series. For players exploring the Master System library, it offers the complete single-player mission across all eight rounds rather than a handheld-style abbreviated version.