The Uncensored Bare Knuckle III That the West Never Saw
Streets of Rage 3 is two games in one. In Japan, where it launched on 18 March 1994 as Bare Knuckle III, it is a darker story with a gentler difficulty curve. Western releases, which arrived later that year, rewrote and toughened it. Reviewers at the time were quick to notice: one magazine said the localisation had neutered the game and advised importing the Japanese version.
At a glance
- Based on: Bare Knuckle III (Sega, Mega Drive, 1994), the Japanese original of Streets of Rage 3
- Created by: Sega; soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima
- Released: 1994
- Genre: Side-scrolling beat 'em up
- What sets it apart: the original story, balance and graphics, now readable in English
What the West lost
- The plot. In Japan the story revolves around an explosive substance called Raxine, whose misuse by Mr. X threatens a global war. The Western version removed every Raxine reference and replaced the missing general with the Chief of Police.
- Ash. A mid-boss who can become a playable character in the Japanese game is gone from Western releases.
- Difficulty. Western Normal is described as significantly harder than Japanese Hard, and the English version ends after stage 5 if you play on Easy.
- Censorship. Several heroes' colours changed, female enemies' outfits were made less revealing, and a bad-ending image was replaced with scrolling text.
Music and trivia
The soundtrack was made with a new automated composing system, and Western reviewers were divided on the result. A motorcycle stage was cut from the finished game, but it can still be reached, rather buggily, with a Game Genie code in the Japanese version.
What this edition offers
The edition restores the Japanese content, and the listing says it presents the full plot and dialogue translated into English, so English readers can finally follow the story as the Japanese team intended.