Golden Axe

Golden Axe

Overview & History

Released by Sega in 1989 for their 8-bit Master System, this port of the beloved arcade fantasy beat-'em-up was brilliantly adapted by Sega's internal development teams. Seeking to capture the grand scale of the 16-bit and arcade hit on constrained hardware, the Master System version crafts a gritty medieval quest of revenge. The storyline follows three unlikely heroes—Ax Battler the barbarian, Tyris Flare the amazon, and Gilius Thunderhead the dwarf—as they trek across diverse fantasy landscapes to rescue the king and princess, and ultimately defeat the tyrannical giant Death Adder, who has stolen the legendary golden axe and plunged the realm into despair.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike its arcade predecessor, the Master System iteration of Golden Axe introduces unique progression structures, including distinct map screens detailing your journey from Turtle Village to the gates of Death Adder's Castle. Combat relies on precise positioning, weapon swings, and the utilization of magic pots dropped by recurring goblin thieves. Players can cast devastating elemental spells by hoarding blue magic potions, with the potency scaling depending on how many are gathered. Furthermore, the game features mountable creatures—like the bipedal dragon-like Chicken Leg—that players can ride to trample enemies with tail-whip attacks, adding tactical depth to the side-scrolling carnage.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause