To say Streets Of Rage 2 is a vital part of my gaming makeup would be to understate things significantly. When pushed to name just 1 game that to me is perfection, without hesitation I name Streets Of Rage 2 every single time.

And it isn’t because I’m some kind of sheep, blindly following the idea that it is the pinnacle of it’s genre (which is “Beat Em Up”, not this “Belt Scroller” bollocks). No, it’s because 1: I’m pretty bloody good at it (being the only game I can genuinely complete on 1 continue), and 2: it summarises my gaming golden era to perfection.

I grew up in the 1980s, having been born in late 1978. I played on the home computers of the period, loving my humble ZX Spectrum. But with my dyspraxia (a neurological condition related to dyslexia that affects motor coordination), many of the better games were a bit beyond my skills. But i always found the button bashing of games like Double Dragon to be a comfortable fit for my skills. Hell, the Master System version of Double Dragon was the first videogame I can remember completing.

So come the early 90s and my teenage years, I found myself in possession of a shiny new Sega Mega Drive 2. And as soon as I could visit the local pre-owned games emporium (the much missed Mega Mania in Audenshaw, east Manchester) I took the opportunity. It was 8pm on Boxing day, and knowing full well his core customers would be wanting games, Mega Manias proprietor was open until 10pm. So armed with a pocket full of money gifted by relatives, which i had asked for knowing full well I was getting the Mega Drive having been to purchase it with my dad, my brother and I descended on the shop eagerly.

And the choices… My brother being the kind of gamer that he was (and still is to an extent) went and grabbed a copy of Sonic 2 straight from the shelf and began prowling looking for other similar titles. Me? I sought out some beat em up action. And I walked out with 2 titles that would become core to my gaming makeup: Namcos controversial Splatterhouse 2. and Segas mighty Streets Of Rage 2.

Now, once home being the good older brother, I allowed Sonic 2 to be the first game played. I was content to wait. I read both games manuals. I re-read the latest copy of Mean Machines. I watched my brother play Sonic 2.

The it was my turn. I popped Streets Of Rage 2 into the slot. And that was the beginning of a 30+ year love affair with the game.

First up was the intro. It was atmospheric. It felt cinematic. It set a mood. And the music… Oh, the music. I make no bones about being a rock/metal/punk guy. By Yuzo Koshiros music for Streets Of Rage 2 blew me away. Even then, I knew this was top tier music for the Mega Drive. It helped set the mood immediately. And then I began to play…

Each character had its plus and minus points.To this day, i’m kinda boring and settle on Axel. His balance just felt right in my hands. And the games graphics? Good lord, this was as close to “arcade quality” in my home as I could imagine (short of owning a Neo Geo MVS). It looked incredible. The detail was outstanding. The colours popped, creating a neon drenched urban landscape. The animation was spot on, conveying the power of your attacks to perfection.

I played the game right through. 1 sitting. Fuck me, was this ever fun. The next day my friend from next door Gary came round. We blasted through it in 2 player mode. It was even more fun with a second player. I was in love with this game. I spent hours playing it, learning enemy patterns, where the hidden 1 ups were, perfecting my techniques. In all honesty, no game has ever captured me like Streets Of Rage 2 did. And it still hold my gaming heart to this day.