

Bare Knuckle III 1994
Developed by Ancient, Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
- Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Action
Bare Knuckle III is the Japanese version of Streets of Rage 3. The Japanese version is known for having a more balanced challenge due to some gameplay changes made to the Western version in its localization. The plot was also heavily modified. 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? Is the horrible attack that took place in Wood Oak City somehow connected to the conflict brewing in Lima? Why is General Petrov missing? Timing is very suspicious. Is someone using Wood Oak City as a testing ground for their new weapons? Are Lima countries potential buyers? Too many questions, too little time. Every second wasted brings the city one step closer to disaster. Lives of the citizens under your protection, and possibly, millions of others are hanging in balance.
Hack and slash/Beat 'em upActionretroachievementswii virtual consolefan translation - englishWii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Log it
Sign in to log this.
Where do you stand?
Three questions people argue about. Answer first, then see how your circle and the community split.
Is it the best hack and slash/beat 'em up game of its decade?
Sign in to answerBe the first to answer.
Would Bare Knuckle III hit harder if it came out today rather than in 1994?
Sign in to answerBe the first to answer.
Is this Ancient's best work?
Sign in to answerBe the first to answer.
Ask the title a question
Answered from what people have written, never made up: a verdict, how much when it's a matter of degree, and the sentences that say so, quoted with their names. Reviews here first, then TMDB's reviews and the title's Wikipedia plot and reception. If nothing settles it, you can put it to the curators.
Character
Earnest, classical in form, grave and plot-driven.
- earnestironic
- classical in formformally daring
- gravecomic
- character-ledplot-driven
- unpretentiousprestige
Who loves it, who doesn't
No profiled raters yet.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
About the game
- Platforms
- Wii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- Developer
- Ancient, Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
- Publisher
- Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
- Released
- March 18, 1994
- Modes
- Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Perspective
- Bird view / Isometric, Side view
IGDB rating 9.0/10 from 6 ratings.
Screenshots



Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Curator Co. Other media included when they land close.
Streets of Rage 199181% alikeBoth earnest, plot-driven, grave.
The Last Blade 199781% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
SoulCalibur VI 201879% alikeBoth earnest, classical in form, grave.
Final Fight 3 199579% alikeBoth earnest, plot-driven, unpretentious.
The King of Fighters '94 199479% alikeBoth earnest, classical in form, plot-driven.
Rygar 198679% alikeBoth earnest, plot-driven, grave.
Wings of Bluestar 202079% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
Shinobi Legions 199578% alikeBoth plot-driven, earnest, grave.
The Time Tunnel 196671% alikeSeries · Both earnest, classical in form, grave.
Film · Both earnest, classical in form, grave.
Often played with
Similar games per IGDB. Opening one adds it to Curator Co.










