Editing Streets of Rage 3

{{Header Nav|game=Streets of Rage 3|num=2}}
{{Infobox
|title=Streets of Rage 3
|image=Streets_of_Rage 3 boxart.jpg
|developer=[[Sega]]
|publisher=[[Sega]]
|released={{jp|1994}}{{us|1994}}{{ca|1994}}
|genre=[[Beat 'em up]]
|modes=[[Single player]], [[multiplayer]]
|ratings={{CERO|A|''[[Sonic Gems Collection]]''}}{{ESRB|T}}{{ESRB|E10p|{{sys|vc}}}}
|systems=[[Sega Genesis]], [[Virtual Console]], [[GameTap]]
|preceded by=[[Streets of Rage 2]]
}}

'''Streets of Rage 3''' ('''Bare Knuckle III''' in Japan) is a side-scrolling [[beat 'em up]] released by [[Sega]] in [[1994]] for the [[Sega Genesis]]. It is part of the ''[[:Category:Streets of Rage|Streets of Rage]]'' series. It was later released for the Japanese version of ''[[Sonic Gems Collection]]'', for the [[GameCube]] and [[PlayStation 2]], and re-released for the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] on [[September 24]], [[2007]].

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== Overview ==
''Streets of Rage 3'', packed in a 24 megabit (3 megabyte) cartridge, had several enhancements over ''[[Streets of Rage 2]]'' such as a more complex plot, multiple endings, lengthier levels, better scenarios (with interactive levels and the return of traps like pits) and faster gameplay (with dash and dodge moves). Weapons could now only be used for a few times before breaking (though they could now be integrated with semi-special moves with certain characters), hidden characters were added and a few cutscenes were added to give the story depth. ''Max Thunder'' gave place to ''Dr. Zan'', a cyborg, who was important for plot reasons.

Besides the fact that it was far more difficult than its predecessors, it has also been criticized for having an abrasive and noisy soundtrack, more experimental than the previous two which used more melodies and dance beats.

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==Storyline==
This is the game's storyline, according to the ''Instructon Manual''.
'''''These people will decide the fate of the city''''' 

'''''Mr X:''''' ''This mysterious crime boss may be out of sight, but he's not out of the city. He's lying low using a legitimate research company, RoboCy Coporation, as both a front for the Syndicate's business activities and the basis of his latest plan. He has brought in one of the world's most brilliant and eccentric roboticists - Dr Dahm - to create lifelike robots to replace key city officials. When the replacements are completed, Mr X can run the city by remote control. The Syndicate is using strategically placed bombs to divert the attention of the city police while Mr X deals with the city leaders, one by one.''

'''''Blaze Fielding:''''' ''An ex-cop who had helped overthrow Mr X twice before, Blaze now works as a private detective. When informed by Dr Zan that the next victim of the Syndicate's evil scheme will be her old friend, the Chief of Police, she immediately sets up a task force to go to his rescue.''

'''''Dr Zan:''''' ''A former RoboCy researcher converted into a cyborg during Dr Dahm's early experiments. Dr Zan probes a little too deeply into the corporate files and discovers what the secret research is really for. He knows the Syndicate must be stopped once and for all, but because of his criminal record he cannot approach the police. So he pays a visit to Blaze's agency and enlists her help.''

'''''Axel Stone:''''' ''After the Syndicate was defeated the second time, Blaze's old partner from the police moved far fom the city and set up a school of martial arts. The letter he receives from Blaze brings him back to the city at top speed.''

'''''Adam Hunter:''''' ''Not long ago, Mr X took out his anger on one of the three ex-cops responsible for his first defeat. Adam was kidnapped and held as bait for his friends, Axel and Blaze. Adam was rescued, and later rejoined the police force as a senior polic operative. He can't answer Blaze's call for assistance himself, but sends Skate instead.''

'''''Eddie "Skate" Hunter:''''' ''Since his last encounter with Mr X and his thugs, Adam's kid brother has grown smarter, stronger and faster. And he's ready to hit the Syndicate where it hurts.'' 

''Blaze, Axel, Skate and Zan... can they prevent the city from falling back into the hands of Mr X and his criminal organisation? Only you can help...''

The city that the ''Streets of Rage'' games are set is unnamed, but it seems to be based on New York. The box art of the US/Euro release of ''[[Streets of Rage]]'' features the [[WP:Empire State Building|Empire State Building]] in the background, and in the Round 2 of ''[[Streets of Rage 2]]'', one can see the Twin Towers of the now-destroyed [[WP:World Trade Center|World Trade Center]] in the skyline. The Twin Towers can also be seen in the box art of ''Streets of Rage 3''.

== Regional differences ==
While translating this game from Japanese to American and European audiences, Sega of America altered it significantly. The most notable changes were that the miniboss character ''Ash'' was removed because he was a stereotyped homosexual, females were given more modest clothing, and the costume colors were changed. ''Axel'' is dressed like ''Adam'', ''Blaze's'' clothes were changed from red to white, and ''Skate'' wears red and blue instead of red and yellow. Sega stated that these were changed to create "gender-neutral colors." The voice-effects were also changed, with most noticeably ''Axel's'' catchphrase of "Grand Upper" for his semi-special move being replaced with "Bare Knuckle".

The plot was rewritten, leaving many gaps in the narrative. In the original ''Bare Knuckle 3'' the story dealt with a new explosive substance called ''Rakushin'', discovered by a ''Dr. Gilbert'' (who later turns out to be ''Dr. Zan''), and the disappearance of a military general. In the American and European versions of ''Streets of Rage 3'', all references to ''Rakushin'' were removed, and the general was replaced by the chief of police, and a scheme to switch city officials with robot clones was invented. Another difference was if you didn't save the general, you had to head to the [[WP:White House|White House]]. This too was changed in the U.S./Euro version where instead if you didn't save the chief, then you had to head to the City Hall, although the building depicting the City Hall was still clearly the White House.

Also, ''Bare Knuckle 3'', even on the highest difficulty setting, was significantly easier than ''Streets of Rage 3'' on default difficulty.

A comprehensive list of all the changes between the versions, as well as a complete translation of the Japanese script, can be found at [http://soronline.classicgaming.gamespy.com/sor3_sor3vsbk3.htm SOR online].

== Trivia ==
*The Japanese version of ''Sonic Gems Collection'' includes ''Bare Knuckle I'', ''II'', ''III'' (''Streets of Rage 1'', ''2'' and ''3'', respectively). These, along with ''[[Bonanza Bros.]]'', were excluded from releases outside Japan to obtain lower age ratings. If not, ''Sonic Gems Collection'' would have the E10+ rating.
*The ninja characters named Mifune, Chiba and Kosugi are probably a reference to martial artist actors Toshiro Mifune, Sonny Chiba and Sho Kosugi.
*The European box art, featuring Zan and Blaze in front of the New York skyline, was originally drawn by the magazine Mean Machines Sega, used as the front cover for the edition that featured a review of the game. Sega bought the rights to the image.

==External links==
*[http://www.streetsofrage.org.uk/ Streets of Rage Expanded Universe]
*[http://www.ntsc-uk.com/feature.php?featuretype=ret&fea=ClassicGameStreetsOfRage NTSC-uk's ''Streets of Rage'' Retrospective]
*[http://soronline.classicgaming.gamespy.com/sor3.htm SOR Online - ''Streets of Rage 3'' section]
*[http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/411/streets-of-rage-3.php ''Streets of Rage 3'' Megadrive review] from Mean Machines Archive

[[Category:Sega]]
[[Category:1994]]
[[Category:Beat 'em up]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis]]
[[Category:Wii Virtual Console]]
[[Category:GameTap]]