Ash in Streets of Rage III

One of the sub-bosses in Streets of Rage III (also released as Bare Knuckle III) is Ash, who is widely described as a very stereotypical gay character. He is dressed as a leather daddy, and wears the female/Venus symbol on a necklace.

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sor3-8sor3-9 Ash Image credit http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/sexual-games/8.php

He was removed from the PAL and US versions of the game, but still accessible as a playable character through cheat codes. He is also, according to the poster of this video, one of the stronger characters in the game, though a reader commented to use that: He’s stronger and faster than any other character. While Ash makes the game much easier, his moveset is very incomplete, though.” This commenter also noted that the video above is from a Streets of Rage Remake, which “drew new sprites for Ash, and thus gave him a full moveset.”

This Wikipedia page also refers to Ash as transsexual villain, because he wears a venus symbol and games effeminate sounds. However, there is no evidence he identifies as female.

Citations:

  1. Ash. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.giantbomb.com/ash/3005-14272
  2. Ash. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://bareknuckle.wikia.com/wiki/Ash
  3. Buchanan, L. (2009, March 6). A History of Insensitivity. IGN. http://neon.stg.www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/06/a-history-of-insensitivity?page=2
  4. MD Streets of Rage 3 (Bare Knuckle 3) Axel vs Ash. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSdmG5D_5OI
  5. Sexual moments in video games history – Bare Knuckles 3. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/sexual-games/8.php
  6. Streets of Rage 3. (n.d.). Retrieved from  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streets_of_Rage_3
  7. vandald. (2011, April 28). Streets of Rage Remake – Ash part 1-5. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VodBRrU4Nw