Streets of Rage 3

Streets of Rage 3 is a 1994 beat 'em up game, developed by Sega. It was released for the Sega Mega Drive.

Plot
The plot is different between regions, although Streets of Rage 4 seems to take the Japanese version as canon:

Japanese
The city of Wood Oak recently experienced a catalysmic event. An experimental weapon called "Rakushin" detonated in the city's suburbs, causing the deaths of 30000 people and wounded 80000 more. Alarmed with this terrifying event, the Police Department assigns two of their top detectives, Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding, two of the heroes who saved the city in the past, to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

Meanwhile, tension rises in the Lima Region, inhabited by a number of nations looking for an excuse to start a war. One of the representatives of the Lima countries, General Ivan Petrov has been invited to the White House for peace talks but now he is reported missing.

Soon after these events, Axel and Blaze were contacted by a mysterious man named Gilbert Zan, who claims to be the man who invented the Rakushin. Zan claims that his research is being used by the powers who intend to use it for destructive purposes. But can he be trusted?

Western
Despite having been defeated twice, Mr. X is far from finished in his efforts to take control of the city. He has been laying low, using Robocy Corporation as a front for the Syndicate Crime Organization's business activites. And he has now brought in a genius, if eccentric, roboticist, Dr. Dahm, to help him with his newest scheme: To replace key city officials with exact robot duplicates under his control, allowing him to run the entire city by remote control. To divert the police's attention, he has his men plant bombs around the city.

However, one Robocy Corporation researcher, Dr. Gilbert Zan, digs a little too far into corporate files and finds the connection between Robocy Corp and the Syndicate. Due to his criminal record, he can't go to the police with this information, so instead, he goes to Blaze Fielding, and tells her that the Syndicate plans to capture and replace the Chief of Police.

Blaze quickly sends word to her friends, Axel Stone and Adam Hunter, about what's going on. Axel quickly responds, but Adam has his obligations to the police force and can't come, though he sends his brother Eddie "Skate" Hunter on his behalf. Together, they will work together to stop the bombings and put a stop to the Syndicate once and for all!

Gameplay
The gameplay remains largely the same from Streets of Rage 2, but a few updates have been included.

Every character is now capable of running rather than just Skate, and are able to dodge and roll vertically. Blitz attacks can be upgraded through subsequent play and special attacks can be unleashed at no cost to health as long as the new meter that governs them is full.

Certain weapons now have their own special attacks, although the secret characters of Shiva, Roo/Victy and Ash(Japan exclusive) are unable to pick any weapons up.

Trivia

 * The American/European versions have had their difficulty levels upped from the Japanese version
 * Shiva can be unlocked by holding the B button after defeating him.
 * If the player defeats Bruce/Danch, the clown boss with a whip before defeating his kangaroo pet, Roo/Victy, next time they use a continue they'll be able to select Roo/Victy as a playable character.
 * Japan have one additional unlockable character, Ash, who was cut from the western releases due to being deemed an offensive stereotype of a homosexual man. He can be played via a game genie still however.