Golden Axe/Stage 1

Note that the home versions' Beginner Mode has some differences. This walkthrough is intended to help a single player through the game, playing with a friend will make the game much easier. This first stage is very straightforward. You'll see a short cutscene of Alex's death (or, in home versions other than the Amiga, your character will explain that Alex was killed).
 * 1) Your attack is doubled.
 * 2) All levels of magic only ever use two pots.
 * 3) There are no maps or bonus stages, and the game ends at ../Stage 3/.
 * 4) The boss of ../Stage 3/ is Death Adder Jr. rather than Lt. Bitter.

Soon after a Dark Green Heninger and Dark Green Longmoan appear onscreen. These are the weakest of enemies, you can take them out with even the most basic attacks. They are quickly followed by a Purple Heninger and a Purple Longmoan. Get rid of them and hit the Blue Thief twice until he drops his magic pots (walk into them to collect them).

Next you'll see a Dark Green Heninger and a Storchinaya riding a Chicken-Leg. Mounted enemies are more trouble than ones on foot, so knock her off and take the beast for yourself. Note that it cannot do jump-attacks or special attacks. Then use it to kill them. Jump up onto the rock platform (this is important) and continue on your way. Soon two Blue Thieves will appear. Get the pot from the top thief, then get two more from the bottom one. Just past this area you'll meet a Dark Green Heninger and a Dark Green Longmoan. Use whatever attacks you like on them. Up next is your first boss battle.

There are two Light Green Heningers immediately challenging you, one on a Chicken Leg, and two giants with hammers at the far end. They won't attack just yet, so focus on the weaker enemies. Knock the Heninger off his Chicken Leg. If you've still got the one from earlier in the level you can use the second one to attract the enemies and then kill them.

After this the Bad Brothers will decide to attack. Simply use your magic to weaken them, and then use fast attacks to take them down (the Chicken Leg's dash attack really helps here). Be careful not to stand over them when they are getting up as they sometimes use an attack as soon as they get up. They will occasionally use ramming attacks, but on the whole they are slower and focus on brute force. They also cannot ride the Chicken Leg, leaving you with one less annoyance if you're knocked off it. Once both are dead you've finished the first level.

Bonus Stage
A Blue Thief will appear and take two of your magic pots. Get them back as well as two more. You'll notice you've lost your Bizarrian (if you kept it to the end); Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder was the first game in the series that allowed you to keep the same Bizarrian between levels.

Map
The map now shows your progress towards Death Adder's castle. You're told that Turtle Village is a shortcut, so that's your next destination.