Game guide
Streets of Rage 2 Characters Compared: Axel, Blaze, Max and Skate
Key takeaways
- All four fighters have exactly 10 stars on the select screen, spread differently over power, technique, speed, jump and stamina.
- Max has the most power and stamina but the least speed; Skate is the fastest and jumps best but is the weakest.
- Axel has the best technique and is the easiest to learn; Blaze has two stars in everything.
- Special moves hit everyone around you but cost a little energy when they connect.
In Streets of Rage 2 every fighter has exactly 10 stars on the select screen, spread over power, technique, speed, jump and stamina. Axel has the best technique and is the easiest to learn, Blaze has two stars in everything, Max is the strongest and toughest but the slowest, and Skate is the fastest and the best jumper but the weakest. We took the ratings straight from the game’s select screen. Here they are side by side, with what each fighter is like to play and the moves worth learning, so you can pick the right one in Streets of Rage 2 on Yes This Game.
The star ratings
| Fighter | Power | Technique | Speed | Jump | Stamina | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axel | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Blaze | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| Max | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| Skate | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
The totals show how carefully the four were balanced: nobody has more stars than anyone else, only a different shape. Max and Skate are mirror images of each other, with three stars where the other has one.
The four fighters
Axel Stone: the all-rounder
Axel is a former police officer and the hero of the first game. Three stars for technique make his combos the most reliable, and his power is good. His only weak point is the jump. He is the best choice for a first run. His dash attack, the flaming Grand Upper, comes from tapping forward twice and pressing attack.
Blaze Fielding: the balanced one
Blaze has two stars in every skill. She is not the strongest or the fastest at anything, but she has no weakness either, and her jump is better than Axel’s or Max’s. Her forward special sends out a burst of energy in front of her.
Max Thunder: the heavy hitter
Max is a professional wrestler with three stars for power and stamina. His grabs and throws do huge damage and he can take a lot of punishment, but he is slow and a poor jumper, so groups of fast enemies can surround him. Players who like to grab and throw love him.
Eddie “Skate” Hunter: the fast one
Skate is Adam’s younger brother, the boy on rollerblades. He has three stars for speed and jump and moves around much faster than the others, but he has the least power and stamina. He hits often rather than hard, and is great for players who like to keep moving.
Moves every fighter has
- Combo: press attack (B) repeatedly near an enemy.
- Grab and throw: walk into an enemy to grab him, then attack to knee him or press back and attack to throw.
- Special: press A for an attack that hits enemies on both sides. It costs a little energy when it connects.
- Forward special: press forward and A for a stronger, forward attack that also costs a little energy.
- Blitz attack: tap a direction twice, then attack, for each fighter’s own dash attack.
- Jump attack: jump (C) and attack in the air, the best way to cross a group of enemies.
Keys on Yes This Game: X attacks, C jumps and Z is the special button (A).
Tips for beginners
Fight with your back to the edge of the screen
Enemies come from both sides. Move so they are all in front of you.
Save the special for crowds
The special costs energy only when it hits. Use it when you are surrounded, not against a single enemy.
Break everything
Barrels, phone boxes and crates hide apples and roast chicken for energy, money for points and sometimes an extra life.
Pick up weapons
Pipes, knives and swords hit harder than fists, and they keep enemies at a distance.
Play with a friend
The story mode takes two players, and the Duel mode lets two players fight each other.
Play Streets of Rage 2 on Yes This Game
Streets of Rage 2 runs free in your browser, with the keyboard, a gamepad or the on-screen pad on phones. Choose 1 PLAYER, then your fighter. The magic wand button next to full screen opens four optional cheats: Unlimited lives, Unlimited energy, Invincible and Infinite time. If you enjoy it, try the arcade brawlers Final Fight and Cadillacs and Dinosaurs.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best character in Streets of Rage 2?
There is no single best: every fighter has 10 stars on the select screen. Axel is the easiest to learn, Max hits hardest and Skate is the fastest.
Who is the best Streets of Rage 2 character for beginners?
Axel. He has the most technique, good power and a reliable combo, and his flaming uppercut is easy to use.
Who is the strongest fighter in Streets of Rage 2?
Max Thunder, the wrestler, with three stars for power and stamina. He is also the slowest.
Who was kidnapped in Streets of Rage 2?
Adam Hunter, Skate’s older brother, who was taken by Mr. X’s syndicate.
How do special moves work in Streets of Rage 2?
Press the special button (A) for an attack that hits enemies around you, or forward and A for a stronger one. They cost a little energy when they hit.
Can I play Streets of Rage 2 online free?
Yes, free in your browser on Yes This Game, with optional cheats for unlimited energy, lives, invincibility and time.