Dotemu and Lizardcube’s smashingly fun brawler, Streets of Rage 4, manages to reinvent a classic Genesis series while still capturing that nostalgic retro charm. Just like its predecessors, it’s quickly become one of the more notable local multiplayer games of its era.
The game provides tons of classic beat-’em-up fun with a slew of new stages, unique characters, and colorful, stylistic visuals. At the same time, fans will recognize similar mechanics, along with some series staples and callbacks from the Streets of Rage games of yesteryear.
The game often taps into the rich lore of this storied franchise, providing some amusing references and easter eggs throughout. But there are also plenty of more general facts and details when it comes to this title. This list will highlight some of the more interesting Streets of Rage 4 tidbits.
10 A Retro-Inspired Soundtrack (In More Ways Than One)
Along with its delightful arcade-style gameplay, Dotemu and Lizardcube keep the thrilling, fast-paced vibe going with its rocking, retro-inspired soundtrack. The game’s appealing tunes can be enjoyed via a 15 track CD, which is bundled with a Limited Run Games copy of the physical edition.
In keeping with its retro theme, however, the distributor also offers the soundtrack in vinyl form. For good measure, the signed cover is adorned with some vibrant, colorful artwork, as well as a booklet with liner notes from each composer.
9 An Anomaly In The Series
Being released decades after the last game, it makes sense that SOR4 is unique in character despite being familiar in some ways. But this installment is more distinct than most fans are likely aware of.
Despite being tagged as the fourth of an ongoing series, Streets of Rage 4 remains the only title in the franchise to not have a home on Genesis. Not only this, but it’s also the only game that doesn’t feature Sega as the publisher. Instead, Dotemu assumes publishing duties this time around.
8 A Childish Gambino Sighting
Fans of Donald Glover, also known as rapper Childish Gambino, may know of his significance related to Streets of Rage. His 2011 album Camp features a sampling from the SOR2 track by Yuzo Koshiro known as “Slow Moon.”
It would seem that this homage has inspired an easter egg by Dotemu and Lizardcube, who feature a cameo of him in the Y Tower stage. A shirtless Glover can be seen in the crowd of an indoor arena, seemingly modeled off his “This is America” getup.
It’s a fun little easter egg for fans, and one that further strengthens the ties between the rapper and the SOR franchise.
7 The Game Wasn’t Even Sega’s Idea
SOR4 is considered a glorious return to form involving Sega properties, much like another retro-renaissance by the name of Sonic Mania. But while that oldschool-style platformer was at least published by Sega, SOR4 was crafted and produced independently from them.
Not only this, but the game’s conception wasn’t even Sega’s idea. Rather, Dotemu and Lizardcube approached Sega to go forward with the idea — after which the Japanese studio gave them the green light.
6 The Only Bot-less Game In The Series
A Staple of SOR is its diversity of fun, unique baddies, which range from human to robotic fighters. As it happens, though, this is the only game in the series to be completely absent of androids. Mechanical foes such as the famed P-Robot from SOR3 are completely absent.
Granted, the newly introduced “Koobos” can almost be filed under this category, though technically they’re humanoid cyborgs.
5 An Exclusive PS4 Trophy
SOR4 offers a slew of achievements or trophies to win, many of which add to the already intense, grueling nature of the game. However, the PS4 version can be a particularly tough grind for completionists, as it grants an exclusive Platinum trophy.
The trophy is fittingly called “My Work Here is Done,” and unlocks when all other trophies are obtained. Given the difficulty of some of the other trophies, which include tasks like notching an S-Rank on hard difficulty, this is no easy feat.
4 Composer Behind Jet Set Radio Almost Worked On The Soundtrack
There is no shortage of talented composers who had a hand in producing the memorable SOR4 music. And yet another notable musician of video game fame decided to back out of the project.
Hideki Naganuma, most known for the cult hit Jet Set Radio, announced on Twitter that scheduling conflicts had forced him to abstain from composing or producing SOR4’s music.
3 Lore And References From The Original Streets Of Rage 3
Streets of Rage 3 fans may recognize a number of nods to this predecessor in particular. However, what may not be known is the degree to which the game draws from the storyline and lore from the Japanese version.
The game taps into various elements from the uncensored version of Bare Knuckles 3 (the Japanese tag for the series). Examples include the references of Wood Oak and the Rakushin, a radioactive element exploited by the Syndicate Crime Organization. There’s also a sprinkling of visual nods to the controversial SOR3 boss, Ash, by way of background images.
2 An Electrifying Throwback To Oldschool Streets Of Rage
One of the game’s neatest easter eggs comes in the form of some retro-fied hidden content, which can be found in a few arcade machines.
Zapping these machines with a taser will essentially transport you back to the glorious 16-bit era for a brief time. The action will yield various retro boss fights including classics like Zamza, Shiva, and the crimelord Mr. X himself.
The machines can be found in the second, fourth, fifth, and eighth stages.
1 Subtle References Of Other Retro Games And Pop Culture
SOR4 comes with a sprinkling of various amusing references and easter eggs for those with a keen eye for them. These take the form of subtle nods to franchise lore — like the aforementioned Ash visuals.
But these also extend quite a bit further. At least a few pop culture references appear as well. The Commissioner boss, for example, is modeled after Commissioner Gordon from DC’s Batman. An image of a skull with octopus tentacles can be seen in the Underground stage, which resembles Marvel’s HYDRA logo. The bosses Beyo and Riha are in fact, named after singing sensations Beyonce and Rihanna.
There are additional references that retro gamers may have noticed as well. These can also be found early on in the Underground stage sewers. Astute players may have noticed the etchings of Sonic the Hedgehog along with some rings on the walls.
Not only this, but there are four colored turtles and a rat; seemingly meant to represent the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Splinter. Finally, there exists some bold graffiti of Shinobi’s Joe Musashi on one of the pipes.
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