First Appearance: Streets of Rage (1991)
Latest Appearance: Streets of Rage 4 (2020)
Axel Stone is one of the main protagonists of the series as well as one of two characters (the other being Blaze Fielding) to be playable in every entry. In the first Streets of Rage, Axel quits his job as a cop along with fellow officers Adam Hunter and Blaze Fielding due to the increasing corruption within their city’s police department. The three former law enforcers decide to take the city’s crime issues into their own bare knuckles by taking down the Syndicate and their leader Mr. X. In Streets of Rage 2, Mr. X returns and kidnaps Adam to lure in Axel and Blaze as payback from last time. Axel and Blaze once again defeat him along with help from Adam’s little brother Eddie “Skate” Hunter and professional wrestler Max “Thunder” Hatchett. Streets of Rage 3 has Mr. X plotting to take over the city through the use of robotic clones meant to impersonate public officials; the Japanese version of the game features a much darker story in the form of Mr. X detonating a new weapon known as Rakushin which kills thousands of people. Along with help from former Syndicate cyborg Zan, the group of heroes defeat Mr. X once and for all by destroying his genetically enhanced brain.
After much fan demand and a whopping 26 years, the Streets of Rage series will finally be getting its 4th entry sometime in 2020. The confirmed playable characters as of now include the original cast from the first Streets of Rage game as well as a few newcomers such as Adam’s daughter Cherry. Axel is also sporting a new look consisting of a beard and a much bulkier body.
Why Should Axel be in Smash?
Streets of Rage is one of the definitive 2D beat ‘em up game series - a genre that was yet to be truly represented in Smash Bros through a character. Streets of Rage 2 in particular is widely regarded as the best game of its genre. If you were to ask someone “what is your favorite 2D beat ‘em up game?” chances are they will say Streets of Rage 2.
Axel himself would be a very unique fighter thanks to his flashy melee moves and the ability to use weapons such as lead pipes in combat. He just screams early 90’s fighting hero so to those who like Terry but don’t like his manual inputs or automatic turn around feature, Axel may be the character for you.
Moveset
Moveset by
Sari
In the Streets of Rage games, you can perform powerful special moves which take away a small amount of your health. Streets of Rage 3 however allows you to use special moves without losing health as long as your power meter is full. Once you use a special move, the power meter will automatically recharge which takes about 5 seconds. Of course you can still use special moves in between the charging time, however you will take recoil damage like in the previous two games.
![]()
For Axel’s moveset in Smash, he would take a small amount of damage while performing all of his special moves with the exception of up B. If you wait about 5 seconds in between special moves for your meter to automatically fill up, you’ll be granted one special attack that does not hurt you. Keep in mind that the meter will automatically be full at the start of a stock. To compensate for the health drainage when using specials without a full meter, Axel’s specials would be very strong in general. Repeatedly spamming special moves in a short amount of time however will significantly increase the amount of damage you take.
Furthermore, Axel would have some incredibly strong throws (almost as strong as Incineroar’s) since grabbing enemies is a big part of Streets of Rage. Expect fast pummels from Axel and throws that can kill at around 100%. His downside would be relatively weak recovery options.
Neutral B: Dragon Smash
![]()
Axel unleashes a barrage of punches similar to Mii Brawler’s Flashing Mach Punch neutral B. If an opponent gets caught in your punches, Axel will keep punching more and end the move with a strong uppercut.
Side B: Grand Upper
![]()
Pretty much Captain Falcon’s side B except it’s much faster and hits through multiple enemies. Its horizontal range isn’t as great as Falcon’s side B, though it sends the opponent at a far diagonal angle.
Up B: Uppercut
![]()
This is Axel’s finishing move to his blitz attack (neutral B) in his original games. It’d pretty much be Ryu’s up B except it has greater horizontal travel distance in exchange slightly less height for recovery distance.
Down B: Dragon Wing
![]()
Axel swings his arm in a fast circular motion. Mainly used as a defensive option to get enemies away from you, though deals a good amount of damage. Has a bit of endlag though.
Final Smash: Police Backup
![]()
A police car drives up and fires a bazooka at enemies straight out of the special ability in the first Streets of Rage game. Prior to the shot, you could also have Axel and other characters from the series beating up the opponent(s) if the goal is to have the final smash be more cinematic.
For Axel’s moveset in Smash, he would take a small amount of damage while performing all of his special moves with the exception of up B. If you wait about 5 seconds in between special moves for your meter to automatically fill up, you’ll be granted one special attack that does not hurt you. Keep in mind that the meter will automatically be full at the start of a stock. To compensate for the health drainage when using specials without a full meter, Axel’s specials would be very strong in general. Repeatedly spamming special moves in a short amount of time however will significantly increase the amount of damage you take.
Furthermore, Axel would have some incredibly strong throws (almost as strong as Incineroar’s) since grabbing enemies is a big part of Streets of Rage. Expect fast pummels from Axel and throws that can kill at around 100%. His downside would be relatively weak recovery options.
Specials
Neutral B: Dragon Smash
Axel unleashes a barrage of punches similar to Mii Brawler’s Flashing Mach Punch neutral B. If an opponent gets caught in your punches, Axel will keep punching more and end the move with a strong uppercut.
Side B: Grand Upper
Pretty much Captain Falcon’s side B except it’s much faster and hits through multiple enemies. Its horizontal range isn’t as great as Falcon’s side B, though it sends the opponent at a far diagonal angle.
Up B: Uppercut
This is Axel’s finishing move to his blitz attack (neutral B) in his original games. It’d pretty much be Ryu’s up B except it has greater horizontal travel distance in exchange slightly less height for recovery distance.
Down B: Dragon Wing
Axel swings his arm in a fast circular motion. Mainly used as a defensive option to get enemies away from you, though deals a good amount of damage. Has a bit of endlag though.
Final Smash: Police Backup
A police car drives up and fires a bazooka at enemies straight out of the special ability in the first Streets of Rage game. Prior to the shot, you could also have Axel and other characters from the series beating up the opponent(s) if the goal is to have the final smash be more cinematic.
Moveset by
Perkilator
Intro: Axel walks in from the background (from the side in his home stage)
Stance/Idle 1: His idle animation from Streets of Rage 2.
Idle 2: Axel wipes his face with his right hand.
Idle 3: The “GO!” arrow appears over Axel’s HUD.
Notable Palette Swaps:
-Default (White)
-Blaze Fielding (Red)
-Adam Hunter (Yellow)
-Max “Thunder” Hatchett (Brown)
-Eddie “Skate” Hunter (Yellow)
-Dr. Gilbert Zan (Blue)
-SoR3 Shiva (Dark Blue)
-Mr. X (Green)
Walk: Axel slowly side-steps forwards.
Jog: His walk from the games.
Dash: His dash from the games.
Damage: His damage animation from the games.
Jump: His jump from the games.
Crouch: Axel puts one hand on the ground, as if he were trying to get an item (the item pickup animation is exactly how it is from the games when Axel DOES get an item).
Weapon of Choice: Axel’s combat style is entirely hand-to-hand.
Jab: Axel punches twice with his left hand (5%, small knockback) and then a third time with his right hand (6%, small knockback)
Forward+A: Axel kicks outward with his left leg (8%, OK knockback)
Down+A: Axel kicks along the floor with his right leg, which can trip the target (7%, small knockback)
Up+A: Axel performs an uppercut with his right hand (12%, OK knockback)
Air+A: Axel performs a backflip kick with his right leg (11%, OK knockback); taken from one of Skate’s normal attacks.
Air Forward+A: Axel kicks outwards with his left leg (10%, OK knockback)
Air Back + A: Axel kicks backwards with his both legs (14%, OK knockback); taken from one of Skate’s aerials.
Air Up+A: Axel kicks upwards with his right leg (12%, OK knockback)
Air Down+A: Axel knees the target with both knees (13% with a meteor effect, OK knockback)
Dash Attack: Thunder Tackle; Axel charges forward and attacks with his elbow (15%, OK knockback); taken from one of Max’s specials.
Edge Attack: Axel sweeps with his left leg as he gets back up (11%, OK knockback)
Get-Up Attack: Axel jumps up and kicks out with both legs (10%, OK knockback); loosely taken from one of Skate’s aerials.
Smash Moves
Forward+A: Knuckle Bomb; Axel swings both his fists forward (23%, medium knockback); taken from one of Max’s specials.
Up+A: Embukyaku; Axel kicks upwards with his left leg (22%, medium knockback); taken from one of Blaze’s specials.
Down+A: Double Spin Kick; Axel sweeps across the ground with both legs (19%, medium knockback); taken from one of Skate’s specials.
Grab: His grab from the games.
Pummel: Axel knees the target (2%)
Forwards+Throw: Axel headbutts the target (14%, OK knockback)
Down+Throw: Axel Toss; Axel vaults over the target and throws them down on the ground, burying them (15%)
Back+Throw: Axel drops his back onto the ground and throws the target backwards (13%, OK knockback)
Up+Throw: Axel briefly jumps up, and then kicks upwards while holding the target (16%, OK knockback); taken from one of Skate’s throws.
Special Moves
B : Dragon Smash; by holding B, Axel charges up a flurry of punches that he unleashes after, finishing with an uppercut (22%, medium knockback; 2.1% recoil)
B + Forwards : Grand Upper; Axel dashes forward and uppercuts the target with great vertical height (17%, medium knockback; 1.2% recoil); it’s basically Captain Falcon’s Raptor Boost, but with less distance.
B + Up : Grand Hook; Axel performs a 360 Dragon Wing with emphasis on horizontal movement (11%, OK knockback), and finishes with an uppercut with emphasis on vertical movement (18%, medium knockback; 1.7% recoil)
B + Down : Dragon Wing; Axel punches in a 360 turn (9%, small knockback), and then punches straight forward (19%, medium knockback; 1.6% recoil)
Final Smash: Police Backup; Axel punches up to three targets at once (9%), and then said targets are dragged into a cutscene where Axel radios in for backup. A police car arrives and the cops fire their bazookas at the targets, who are trapped in a ring of flames followed by an explosion (53%, devastating knockback).
Gimmick: Axel’s damage slowly rises whenever he uses a special move; however, there’s a meter you’re granted at the start of each stock that grants you one special move without damage. This meter has a 5-second cool down between special moves.
Taunts
1: “Go straight!” Axel mimics his pose from SoR2’s US box art.
2: Axel mimics his pose from Bare Knuckle 2’s box art.
1+2: Axel mimics his pose from SoR3’s box art.
Winposes
1: Axel loosely mimics his pose from Bare Knuckle’s box art.
2: Axel looks towards the distance, and waves towards an incoming helicopter
3: Axel jumps in kicking, loosely based on SoR1’s US box art.
Icon: The “R” in the first game’s logo.
Boxing Ring Title: Bare-Knuckled Ex-Cop
Victory Music: https://youtu.be/VyUmHYtG3xc
Kirby Hat: Axel’s hair and bandana
Stance/Idle 1: His idle animation from Streets of Rage 2.
Idle 2: Axel wipes his face with his right hand.
Idle 3: The “GO!” arrow appears over Axel’s HUD.
Notable Palette Swaps:
-Default (White)
-Blaze Fielding (Red)
-Adam Hunter (Yellow)
-Max “Thunder” Hatchett (Brown)
-Eddie “Skate” Hunter (Yellow)
-Dr. Gilbert Zan (Blue)
-SoR3 Shiva (Dark Blue)
-Mr. X (Green)
Walk: Axel slowly side-steps forwards.
Jog: His walk from the games.
Dash: His dash from the games.
Damage: His damage animation from the games.
Jump: His jump from the games.
Crouch: Axel puts one hand on the ground, as if he were trying to get an item (the item pickup animation is exactly how it is from the games when Axel DOES get an item).
Weapon of Choice: Axel’s combat style is entirely hand-to-hand.
Jab: Axel punches twice with his left hand (5%, small knockback) and then a third time with his right hand (6%, small knockback)
Forward+A: Axel kicks outward with his left leg (8%, OK knockback)
Down+A: Axel kicks along the floor with his right leg, which can trip the target (7%, small knockback)
Up+A: Axel performs an uppercut with his right hand (12%, OK knockback)
Air+A: Axel performs a backflip kick with his right leg (11%, OK knockback); taken from one of Skate’s normal attacks.
Air Forward+A: Axel kicks outwards with his left leg (10%, OK knockback)
Air Back + A: Axel kicks backwards with his both legs (14%, OK knockback); taken from one of Skate’s aerials.
Air Up+A: Axel kicks upwards with his right leg (12%, OK knockback)
Air Down+A: Axel knees the target with both knees (13% with a meteor effect, OK knockback)
Dash Attack: Thunder Tackle; Axel charges forward and attacks with his elbow (15%, OK knockback); taken from one of Max’s specials.
Edge Attack: Axel sweeps with his left leg as he gets back up (11%, OK knockback)
Get-Up Attack: Axel jumps up and kicks out with both legs (10%, OK knockback); loosely taken from one of Skate’s aerials.
Smash Moves
Forward+A: Knuckle Bomb; Axel swings both his fists forward (23%, medium knockback); taken from one of Max’s specials.
Up+A: Embukyaku; Axel kicks upwards with his left leg (22%, medium knockback); taken from one of Blaze’s specials.
Down+A: Double Spin Kick; Axel sweeps across the ground with both legs (19%, medium knockback); taken from one of Skate’s specials.
Grab: His grab from the games.
Pummel: Axel knees the target (2%)
Forwards+Throw: Axel headbutts the target (14%, OK knockback)
Down+Throw: Axel Toss; Axel vaults over the target and throws them down on the ground, burying them (15%)
Back+Throw: Axel drops his back onto the ground and throws the target backwards (13%, OK knockback)
Up+Throw: Axel briefly jumps up, and then kicks upwards while holding the target (16%, OK knockback); taken from one of Skate’s throws.
Special Moves
B : Dragon Smash; by holding B, Axel charges up a flurry of punches that he unleashes after, finishing with an uppercut (22%, medium knockback; 2.1% recoil)
B + Forwards : Grand Upper; Axel dashes forward and uppercuts the target with great vertical height (17%, medium knockback; 1.2% recoil); it’s basically Captain Falcon’s Raptor Boost, but with less distance.
B + Up : Grand Hook; Axel performs a 360 Dragon Wing with emphasis on horizontal movement (11%, OK knockback), and finishes with an uppercut with emphasis on vertical movement (18%, medium knockback; 1.7% recoil)
B + Down : Dragon Wing; Axel punches in a 360 turn (9%, small knockback), and then punches straight forward (19%, medium knockback; 1.6% recoil)
Final Smash: Police Backup; Axel punches up to three targets at once (9%), and then said targets are dragged into a cutscene where Axel radios in for backup. A police car arrives and the cops fire their bazookas at the targets, who are trapped in a ring of flames followed by an explosion (53%, devastating knockback).
Gimmick: Axel’s damage slowly rises whenever he uses a special move; however, there’s a meter you’re granted at the start of each stock that grants you one special move without damage. This meter has a 5-second cool down between special moves.
Taunts
1: “Go straight!” Axel mimics his pose from SoR2’s US box art.
2: Axel mimics his pose from Bare Knuckle 2’s box art.
1+2: Axel mimics his pose from SoR3’s box art.
Winposes
1: Axel loosely mimics his pose from Bare Knuckle’s box art.
2: Axel looks towards the distance, and waves towards an incoming helicopter
3: Axel jumps in kicking, loosely based on SoR1’s US box art.
Icon: The “R” in the first game’s logo.
Boxing Ring Title: Bare-Knuckled Ex-Cop
Victory Music: https://youtu.be/VyUmHYtG3xc
Kirby Hat: Axel’s hair and bandana
Costumes
Pictured below are how I imagine Axel’s colors would look in Smash:
- Axel’s default appearance in the first two Streets of Rage games as well as in Bare Knuckle 3 (Japanese version of Streets of Rage 3).
- Based on Blaze Fielding, one of the main characters who is playable in every game.
- Based on Adam Hunter, one of the original three characters playable in the first Streets of Ragegame.
- This costume also bears similarity to Axel’s Streets of Rage 2 alt as well as Axel’s default appearance in the Western versions of Streets of Rage 3.
- Based on Max “Thunder” Hatchett, a friend of Axel who is playable in Streets of Rage 2.
- Based on Eddie “Skate” Hunter, Adam’s little brother who is playable in Streets of Rage 2 and 3.
- Based on Dr. Gilbert Zan, a former member of the Syndicate who is one of the four playable characters in Streets of Rage 3.
- Based on Shiva, a recurring boss character in the series.
- Based on Axel’s redesign in Streets of Rage 4.
Spirits
Pictured below is a general idea of what the spirits that coincide with Axel would look like. In parentheses are the names of the Smash characters who would represent them in battle.
Stage: Wood Oak City Slums
A side-scrolling stage based on the first level of Streets of Rage 2. Enemies could show up to interfere with battle similar to the Flying Men on the Magicant stage. It could also incorporate different levels from Streets of Rage into the stage, such as the amusement park in the third level of Streets of Rage 2.
Victory Theme
What else could it be but the recognizable stage clear theme that plays in every game?
Music
Some Streets of Rage tunes to expect if Axel ever makes it into Smash:- SoR - Main Theme
- SoR 2 - Go Straight
- Probably the most well-known song in the series, so this song is practically a lock if Axel were to ever get in.
- SoR 2 - In the Bar
- SoR 2 - Spin on the Bridge
- SoR 2 - Dreamer
- It would be a crime if this didn’t make it in.
- SoR 2 - Under Logic
- SoR 2 - Slow Moon
- SoR 2 - Wave 131
- SoR 2 - Revenge of Mr. X
- SoR - Fighting in the Street
- SoR - Moon Beach
- SoR - Violent Breathing
- SoR 3 - Fuse
- SoR 3 - Dub Slash
- SoR 3 - The Poets I
Supporters
Would you like to see Axel make it into Smash some day? Leave a comment below and I'll add you to the support list!
Support List
Sari
SNEKeater
T Trevenant
CroonerMike
Flyboy
NOSTARSICK
OptimisticStrifer
toonito
Blankiturayman
KirbyWorshipper2465
Ramen Tengoku
shinhed-echi
ninjahmos
Aurora Jenny
RealLuigisWearPink
CardiganBoy
Perkilator
DanganZilla5
Ridley_Prime
TriforceBun
kirbsmash
tonygameman
TheAnvil
AreJay25
Arcadenik
@JDCabrera
Speed Weed
Ryu the Weredragon
GreyJinjo
Garo
smash puffle
Sari
SNEKeater
T Trevenant
CroonerMike
Flyboy
NOSTARSICK
OptimisticStrifer
toonito
Blankiturayman
KirbyWorshipper2465
Ramen Tengoku
shinhed-echi
ninjahmos
Aurora Jenny
RealLuigisWearPink
CardiganBoy
Perkilator
DanganZilla5
Ridley_Prime
TriforceBun
kirbsmash
tonygameman
TheAnvil
AreJay25
Arcadenik
@JDCabrera
Speed Weed
Ryu the Weredragon
GreyJinjo
Garo
smash puffle
Last edited:
