Streets of Rage 4 gets soundtracks and 12 more playable fighters from previous games
As April release date leaks.
Publisher DotEmu has revealed that upcoming arcade revival Streets of Rage 4 will - in addition to its five previously announced brawlers - feature 12 pixel art fighters from earlier serious outings, as well as the option to swap in classic soundtracks from previous games. It also says an April release date spotted on Switch's eShop earlier today is incorrect.
Streets of Rage 4, in case you're in need of a quick recap, is coming to Xbox One, PS4, Switch, and PC, and is the work of Lizardcube - the developer behind 2017's superb Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap remake - and Streets of Fury studio Guard Crush Games.
It aims to deliver a gently modernised take on the classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up action of Sega's original Streets of Rage trilogy, complete with "expanded combat abilities", and features a striking new art style, plus music from the likes of Yūzō Koshiro (Streets of Rage 1, 2, and 3, Sonic the Hedgehog) and Motohiro Kawashima (Streets of Rage 2 and 3, Shinobi 2).
Familiar faces Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, and Adam Hunter have already been confirmed as returning in Streets of Rage 4, alongside newcomers Cherry Hunter and Floyd Iraia, and now DotEmu says 12 pixel arts fighters from the original trilogy - including Max 'Thunder' Hatchett, Eddie 'Skate' Hunter, and Dr. Gilbert Zan - are along for the ride too. These will feature "abilities unique to their respective games like calling the police or [sprinting and rolling] through environments just like Streets of Rage 3".
The publisher also says it'll be possible to switch to Streets of Rage 1 and 2's iconic soundtracks during play, for those eager to positively douse themselves in nostalgia.
Streets of Rage 4 - which includes two-player online co-op and four-player local co-op - will cost £22.49/$24.99 USD when it releases "soon" on PC and consoles, although DotEmu says the 23rd April launch date spotted on eShop today "is not correct".
"We are aware that some of you have seen a release date leaked this afternoon," the publisher wrote on Twitter, "Right now we cannot confirm it yet and apologise for the confusion. We will keep you updated officially as soon as possible and thank you for your patience."