System: Game Gear
Release date: December 1993

Punch your way through urban chaos with Streets of Rage 2 on the Game Gear, the December 1993 beat-’em-up gem from Sega that brings bare-knuckle brawling to the handheld streets. Join Axel, Blaze, and pals to take down Mr. X’s crime syndicate—but does it still pack a wallop in 2025? Let’s dive in and see if this street-fighting classic is a knockout or a bruised relic.

Gameplay: Knuckles Up, Crime Down

Streets of Rage 2 throws you into the boots of four fighters—Axel, Blaze, Skate, or Max—battling thugs across eight gritty levels, from neon-lit alleys to pirate ships. The controls deliver punchy combos, special moves, and weapon swings like pipes or knives. Each character’s unique stats—Blaze’s speed, Max’s power—add tactical flair, while co-op (via link cable) amps the chaos. You’ll pummel waves of punks and face bosses like the blade-wielding Shiva.

The brawl? Enemy swarms can be hard to track, and the cut-down content from the Mega Drive version stings. Still, the tight brawling and slick pacing keep you swinging like a fist in a bar fight.

Graphics: Pixelated Streets with Grit

The vibrant visuals pop with detailed sprites for Axel and foes like Signal punks, featuring smooth animations for punches, kicks, and throws. Levels burst with urban flair—think flickering neon signs and rainy docks—though finer details can get muddy. It’s not as sharp as its 16-bit sibling, but the gritty style and fluid movement make every brawl a visual slugfest.

Sound: Beats That Thump Like a Nightclub

A scaled-down take on Yuzo Koshiro’s legendary soundtrack pulses with techno beats that capture the urban vibe. Tracks like “Go Straight” still slap, though the audio lacks the Mega Drive’s punch. Sound effects—fist thwacks, enemy grunts, and weapon clangs—are crisp and satisfying. Repetition creeps in, but the music’s energy keeps you bopping through the beatdowns.

Replayability: Fists That Keep Flying

With four playable characters, adjustable difficulty, and hidden score bonuses, Streets of Rage 2 begs for replays to master combos or chase high scores. Co-op mode (if you’ve got the cable and a mate) adds rowdy fun, though the short campaign and trimmed content limit depth compared to the console version. The tough bosses and tight controls make every run a thrill, perfect for quick scraps or marathon punch-ups.

The Retro Looney Verdict

Streets of Rage 2 on the Game Gear is a pocket-sized powerhouse that distils the console classic into a portable beat-’em-up banger. Its slick combat, vibrant visuals, and thumping tunes deliver, even if the cut content jabs like a cheap shot.