Streets of Rage 4 gets a release date – and there's a retro surprise for older fans

Streets of Rage 4
(Image credit: Dotemu)

Some of us may be stuck inside until at least the end of the month, but gamers will soon be able to hit the streets – figuratively speaking – when Streets of Rage 4 releases on April 30 for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Oh, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers will get it on launch day for free.

Streets of Rage 4 co-developers Guard Crush Games and Lizardcube (makers of the fabulous Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap) made the announcement alongside a new trailer, which reveals a first look at the game’s new Battle Mode.

Last seen in Streets of Rage 2 and 3, Battle Mode is where you can settle feuds with your friends – maybe you accidentally punched them in the face during the co-op campaign. And if the fourth iteration of Streets of Rage is anything like its predecessors, you’ll definitely smack each other about a bit – by accident, of course.

Smells like nostalgia

The premise for Streets of Rage 4 is simple: fight your way through a city full of threatening goons as you attempt to clean up the streets. You can gang up with a friend or go it alone. 

Gamers who played the original games on Sega Genesis will be delighted to hear that Streets of Rage 4 also brings back the timeless pixel-art characters from Streets of Rage 1 and 2, in all their retro-fighting glory. Your ears are in for a treat, too, as the widely-renowned, head-bobbing, electronic dance soundtracks return.

It’s been 25 long years since the last entry in the Streets of Rage series, but you can finally reunite with Axel, Blaze and the excellently-named Adam when the retro beat ‘em up sequel returns for the tempting price of $24.99.

Adam Vjestica

Adam was formerly TRG's Hardware Editor. A law graduate with an exceptional track record in content creation and online engagement, Adam has penned scintillating copy for various technology sites and also established his very own award-nominated video games website. He’s previously worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor and once played Halo 5: Guardians for over 51 hours for charity. He is now an editor at The Shortcut.

Latest in Consoles & PC
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Future PlayStation games could have AI-powered characters, if this leaked prototype of Aloy is anything to go by
The artwork for The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller
I can't wait to pre-order The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense and if you're a fan too then I've got all the the information and best links to bookmark right now
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?
The Hori Split Pad Pro attached to a Nintendo Switch OLED and placed on a colorful desk mat.
I've used the Hori Split Pad Pro with my Nintendo Switch for years and it's still great, but there are some better options in 2025
A tattoo studio in The Sims 4.
The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies expansion pack looks like the small business overhaul I've always wanted
Latest in News
Lilo & Stitch Official Trailer
Stitch crashes into earth and steals our hearts with the first trailer for the live-action Lilo & Stitch
GTA 5
GTA Online publisher Take-Two is gunning for a black market that’s basically heaven for cheaters
Y2K cast looking shocked
Y2K has a streaming release date on Max, so you can witness the technology uprising at home
The Discovery+ homepage
Discovery+ just got a big update to its streaming app that makes it more like Max – here are 5 great new features to try
Two Android phones on a green and blue background showing Google Messages
Struggling with slow Google Messages photo transfers? Google says new update will make 'noticeable difference'
China
Chinese hackers targeting Juniper Networks routers, so patch now