Streets of Rage 4

A beautifully crafted return that stays true to the classic beat-em-up while refreshing nearly every aspect, regarded as the best entry the series has produced. Intricate hand-drawn visuals, an outstanding soundtrack, and combat that feels better than ever anchor it, with smart additions like the health-recovery special moves enhancing the core. A celebratory roster, varied modes, and four-player co-op round out one of the finest side-scrolling brawlers in years.

An outstanding modernization that brings the classic brawler up to date while honoring what fans loved, with smooth, fluid combat and excellent HD Rumble feedback giving hits real weight. The hand-drawn art and a soundtrack that does the series proud both shine, and generous modes plus multiplayer add value. The slow character walking speed is a minor drawback, but the overall craft is hard to fault.

A gorgeous, hand-drawn update to the classic arcade brawler that looks and animates beautifully but innovates little beyond its visuals. The standard room-to-room beat-em-up loop is solid, yet the punishing three-lives structure and confidence-rewarding health-recovery mechanic make it unforgiving for newcomers. It is sharply aimed at fans of old-school brawlers, with limited appeal outside that nostalgic crowd.

Masterfully revitalizes the 26-year-old series, recreating the nostalgic brawling with loving faithfulness alongside gorgeous hand-drawn visuals and a soundtrack that pays tribute while forging its own identity. The scoring system and distinct roster add depth, though the weakened lead-pipe impact disappoints and online play suffers from inconsistent connections and freezes.