NOTE: This is Virtual Console review. As such, there's none of the usual scoring at the end.Just text and a quick verdict.

Our second title this week is incredibly well known to anyone who owned a Mega Drive. Streets of Rage was Sega's alternative to Golden Axe, using fists and feet rather than swords and axes. Players can choose between three characters: Axel, Blaze and Adam. All three have different attributes and move sets, meaning if you have a two player game it's an age old tradition to fight over Axel!

Streets of Rage boasts 8 widely different stages, each of which has their own theme. From the city streets up to syndicate headquarters to fight the final boss, this game has non-stop action; however it is quite simple and similar to Golden Axe. You have one attack button, a jump button and a special attack that either fires napalm or grenades. Regarding the controls, although this game can be played with the Wii remote side on, i would suggest using a Classic controller or GameCube pad as you don't have to reach for the A button on the Wii remote to use your special attack, it also generally gives you far better control of your character.

Graphically, the game still looks great. It uses vibrant sprites for both the characters and enemies you see and the backgrounds still look gorgeous. The music is alright but nothing you'll tap your feet to. My only complaint about the game has to be the fact that Sega's early 50 Hz ports (such as Sonic already released on the VC) are just plain awful. The music is far slower, it plays slower and for some reason sounds often skip.

Although that's a fairly major complaint, don't let me stop you from purchasing this game. It's still a top notch experience from start to finish... plus it'll make you want the superior Streets of Rage 2 and 3 even more.

Verdict: Great game, bad port.