Everyone picks Blaze, they all do
Affirmative, for the geekier fanboys out there Streets of Rage Collection offers a ton of options. When you start the game simply press start and look at them. If you don’t like the 4:3 screen resolution of the original you can change it to fit you wide screen TV, to the extent that you can tweak the X and Y axis. Not enough? How about the option to play the NTSC, PAL or JAP version of the game? Each is subtly different in terms of level design and difficulty, most notably in the Japanese version of the game being called Bare Knuckle. With other options also included such as; the ability to change the background image and record your gameplay, there are more added extras in this collection than when buying a Ped Egg from JML.
All of these elements enhance the game as a whole and seeing as the game is co-op at its core that too is improved. There is one other element of the Collection that impressed me most and is a boon for the co-op. This isn’t the 90s anymore and you are no longer stuck in local co-op, online is an option. The problem with many download games is that the population playing the game is so low that finding a game can be a chore; you spend so long waiting in a lobby that you often decide to play something else instead. Sega have come up with a great way to combat this; you can launch a single player game, whilst the lobby system continues to search in the background. Once a suitable game is found it offers you the chance to exit you game and join the online co-op. This is a brilliant idea that should be incorporated into as many online download games as possible; it will ensure that even relatively unpopular games will still give you a chance of finding an online ally.
The Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage will appeal mostly to the hardcore retro game lover – three excellent vintage games are provided in their original format, but also with the option to drag them into the modern era with screen smoothing and widescreen. Younger gamers will also get something from the experience of playing the collection, an understanding of what modern games are based on, but also the knowledge that old games can be great. The co-op in the Streets of Rage series has always been fun and, although it has aged, the new lobby system at least means you won’t have to wait idly around for a co-op game to play.
Verdict
Co-Op Score
Overall
The Co-Op Experience: Clean up the streets with a friend in two player local and online co-op!
Co-Optimus game reviews focus on the cooperative experience of a game, our final score graphic represents this experience along with an average score for the game overall. For an explanation of our scores please check our Review Score Explanation Guide.