Final Fight and Streets of Rage - Covered in Carnage

Two iconic franchises collide, but not in the way you'd expect.

Streets of Rage (1991)

At the time, Greg Winters clearly had some truly crazy shit going on.

Zooming in.

A crazed gunman unloads at 'someone' or 'something'.

Chaos attracts the attention of knife-wielding gang.

Loopy bitch chokes hubby out of apartment window.

All while the city burns.

Now for the rip offs, err influences.

Axel vs Gymkata

Blaze vs Sue Shiomi (Sister Street Fighter)

Not nailed on, but sewer dweller smacks of C.H.U.D.

Final Fight 2, NA/EU (1993)

Quite literally, déjà vu.

Globe-trotting adventure does not take place in Metro City, as the race to rescue Guy's fiancée Rena and her father Genrysai requires Haggar, Maki and Carlos to visit Hong Kong, Japan and various locations across Europe.

Anyway, I digress.

Streets of Rage 2, NA/EU (1992)

Carlos and thug vs Sonny Chiba and opponent

Final Fight, NA (1991) and EU (1992)

Guess they didn't like designer shades.

(Laughs). 

Streets of Rage

Hand tattoo is 'adapted' from arm.

Arcade flyer (1989)

Axl's knife is given an upgrade.

Unconscious rando and pipe is similar to a badly beaten Andore.

Thrasher (NA/EU)

As I'm sure you're all aware, dreads doesn't appear in sequel.

Even more bizarre.

G. Andore (knocked back)

Is he wearing Abigail's top?

Inconclusive.

Super Famicom (1990)

Damnd (as I can now call him), a goofy Cody (erroneous) adopting Haggar's stance and a dustbin (of all fucking things), completes a headscratcher.

One more.

Haggar's arms and body don't fit head and legs, suggesting shit was traced from another source.

Who knows, but I have a theory.

Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder

Novel was published on 1 October 1989, so it's possible.

Before moving on.

Mighty Final Fight (1993)
Spin-off is a comedic re-telling of original arcade.

Ignoring the obvious similarity to Final Fight 2 (surely done on purpose), pink mohawk may be a cheeky nod to Streets of Rage regular Signal.

Final Fight 3, EU/NA (1996) vs Sonny Chiba

Well played Lucia.

For the record, 1995 Japanese version was called Final Fight Tough.

Miscellany

Rules? There aren't any.

J (Super Famicom) vs J (arcade flyer)

Haggar (Final Fight CD) vs Haggar (Super Famicom)

Final Fight Guy (Super Famicom) vs Final Fight CD

There's nothing particularly wrong with EU art.

But when compared to JP edition.

Cody and Haggar have swapped positions, Guy no longer stands behind brick wall and blood splatters ensures composition is superior.

As you've asked, Sega CD uses arcade flyer.

However.

Although they removed pool of blood near Andore's head, Cody's bandaged fist is still covered in claret.

Err, logic?

Streets of Rage 3, EU (1994)

Dr. Zan vs Cody (Final Fight CD, EU and JP) vs Axel (Bare Knuckle II)

Blaze vs Blaze (Bare Knuckle)

Talk about copy and paste.

Finally.

Bare Knuckle III (intro snippet) vs Final Fight CD (all regions)

Smashing stuff.

Aftermath

Wood Oak City, daylight.

Mr. X gave me the chance to become The Syndicate's new chief enforcer.

(Decision still pending).

Sometime in the 1990's...

Metro City, night.

Atmosphere of penthouse was strangely subdued and Belger was less than accommodating.

Despite receiving damage from a volley of arrows, I managed to bundle his demented ass out of nearest window.

'JESS---I-CCC--A' he screamed, '...PLEASE FORGIVE ME!'

Compared to satisfaction, reality is meaningless.

The sound of subsequent thud was exquisite and maniacal laugh permeated nervous air.