Streets of Rage 4 - game secrets

A funny thing happened to me on the way to Chinatown. While I was dealing with the enemies on the fifth level (Underground / Underground), I stumbled upon a temporary portal that allows you to return to the classic levels of the series, in the days of the 90s. At first I did not understand what exactly led to the appearance of this portal, but soon figured it out. And now I'm sharing my experience with you.

We managed to discover four secret retro levels. Just so you understand: these are not full levels, but small segments in which you are offered to fight the bosses of Streets of Rage 2. Once you defeat the boss, you will have to return to the fourth part.

How to access secret levels?

The Streets of Rage 4 stages through which secret levels can be accessed require two items. Firstly, you need a “key”, and secondly, a “door” to which it will fit. Quotes are used for a reason. The key is a taser weapon and the door is a Bare Knuckle arcade machine. The latter is a tribute to the same object from Streets of Rage 2. At the same time, the taser is a common weapon that can be found in different places. But to find both at the same stage, you need to try. Apparently, apart from the taser, no other weapon works. But there is a possibility that other retro levels were hidden in the game, requiring a differentapproach.

I will not talk about who you have to fight, because it will be a spoiler, and in general it is more interesting to find out about it yourself. But below I will talk about where I managed to find the secret levels.

Secret Level 1: Police Station

You are interested in the second level of Streets of Rage 4. After the hero is arrested, you will find yourself in a detention cell. Coming out of there, kill the enemies, and a little further fight with a cop using a taser. Shoot him down and kill everyone until the game allows you to go further. Pick up the taser and go through the door on top that leads to the arcade machine. Use a taser on him. The pixel knife dropped by the boss can be taken with you.

Secret Level 2: Old Pier

This is the fourth level of the game. On the pier, go to the very end to find a small arcade machine with a neon sign. You will know that you are in the right place when you meet four cops. Two of them will have a taser, others will have futuristic shields. Deal with the cops and pick up the taser. There are large holes on the pier, and weapons can fall there. You don't have to kill all the enemies. Just get a taser and go through the door to the right of the arcade machine. Use the taser on the machine.

Secret level 3: by??countrywoman

This level was the first one I discovered, but it's consistently the fifth in the game. It all starts with the sewer. Then you have to get to the Rising Sun bar - the headquarters of the Red Demon gang. About two-thirds of the way to the bar, you will see an arcade machine standing against a wall with license plates. Nearby there is an enemy with a taser. This is your entry ticket. However, be careful. The bar is a garbage hive, so you have to fight everyone. And in the heat of battle, you can accidentally destroy the arcade machine. So try to lure the enemies to the left.

Secret Level 4: Art Gallery

This is the last secret level found so far. You are interested in the eighth stage. Right before the boss fight, you will find yourself in a room with a crate and a pile of golden chickens. There is also a giant purple cork. There is a machine gun in the far left corner, it is unrealistic to miss it. However, you may miss out on getting a taser. Examine the location and find the taser hidden behind the lid of the box. Take it and attack the slot machine.