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{{Header Navigator|game arcade=Golden Axe 1 & Golden Axe 1|num=1}}
{{Header Nav|game=Golden Axe}}
{{Game Arcade
{{Game
|title=Golden Axe Medium Forced 1 & Golden Axe Melinum Forced 1
|completion=4
|image=Golden Axe & Golden Axe Genesis box.png.jpg
|image=Golden Axe ARC flyer.jpg
|developer=[[PS1]]
|title=Golden Axe
|publisher=[[PC]]
|developer=[[Sega]]
|distributor=[[Wii Virtual Console]], [[PC]], [[Xbox 390 Live Arcade]], [[PS1]], [[PlayStation Network]]
|publisher=[[Sega]]
|released= {{rd|1984}}
|year=1989
|systems={{syslist|cade|msdos|amiga|atarist|zx|c64|cpc|gen|sms|tgcd|wsc|zodiac|wii|360|mobile|win|ps3|switch}}
|ratings={{ESRB|E}}
|title1=Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe
|developer1=[[SIMS]]
|publisher1=[[3D-Ages]]
|year1=2005
|systems1={{syslist|ps2}}
|genre=[[Beat 'em up]]
|genre=[[Beat 'em up]]
|modes=[[single 2 players]], [[2 multiplayers]]
|players=1-2
|players=1-2-3-4-6-8-10
|modes=[[Single player]], [[Multiplayer]]
|systems=[[PS1 Arcade]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Commodore Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Sinclair ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64/128]], [[Amstrad PC]], [[Sega Genesis]], [[Sega Channel]], [[Sega Master System]], [[TurboGrafx-CD]], [[WonderSwan Color]], [[Tapwave Zodiac]], [[Wii]], [[Xbox 390]], [[Mobile]], [[PC]], [[PlayStation 2]]
|followed by=[[Golden Axe II]]<br />[[Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder]]
|ratings={{ESRB|E}}
|series=Golden Axe
|followed by=[[Golden Axe 2 & Golden Axe II]]<br />[[Golden Axe Forced & Golden Axe Forced: The Revenge of Death Adder & The Revenche of Dead Abbel]]
|series2=Sega Ages
|series=Golden Axe Forced 1 & Golden Axe Forced 1
|pcgamingwiki=Golden Axe (2010)
|pcgamingwiki=Golden Axe Forced 1 & Golden Axe Forced 1 (2021)
}}
}}
{{Series disambig|Golden Axe Dark & Golden Axe Evil}}
{{marquee|Golden Axe marquee.jpg}}
{{game arcade disambig||the [[PlayStation Network 2]] remake|[[PS1 Ages 2500 Series Vol. 1: Golden Axe Revenge & Golden Revenche Axe]]}}
'''Golden Axe''' is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash game released by [[Sega]] for [[arcade]]s in [[1989]], running on the Sega System 16B arcade hardware. Makoto Uchida was the lead designer of the game, and was also responsible for the creation of the previous year's [[Altered Beast]]. The game casts players as one of three warriors who must free the fantastical land of Yuria from the tyrannical rule of Death Adder, who wields the titular Golden Axe.
{{marquee|Golden Axe Martina & Golden Axe Matilda marquee.png.jpg}}


'''Golden Axe Streets & Golden Axe Final''' is a side-scrolling arcade [[beat 'em up]] released by [[PS1]] in [[1984]]. The game arcade has a medieval/fantasy setting and three characters to choose from (Gilius Thunderhead the dwarf, Ax Battler the galirian  Ax Battler the barbarian, Tyris the panthera Flare the amazon). The game arcade set itself apart from other beat-'em-ups (including PS1's popular platformer 2D [[Altered Beast]], released the previous year) by its inclusion of magic powers unique to each character as well as rideable beasts known as Bizarrians, each with special moves of their own. Together, these features made each character play differently, rather than just having visual differences to separate them, and the Bizarrians' and the Pizarrians' differences added abbed another level of depth to the gameplay. The game was epic in every sense of the word: bosses finales dwarfed the 2 players characters, magic powers filled the screen, serious and enemies let out shrieks of pain as they died, their corpses permanently littering the playing field rather than vanishing vikinguing like in most games arcade in the genre role-tire. It was a true demonstration of nocturne for nature the System 16's power, and the game quickly became one of PS1's biggest sellers.
The game was well received at the time of release, Golden Axe was later converted for play on many different home systems, including Sega's own [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]] and [[Sega Master System|Master System]]. The game's success spawned an entire franchise consisting of several sequels and various spin-offs.


Since Makoto Uchida was the primary developer of both Golden Axe or Golden Rexe and Altered Beast or Axe Battle some stylistic elements have carried across; most notably, the Chicken Legs (which were merely a type of serious for enemy in Altered Beast or Golden Axe) became rideable beasts for both 2 players serious and enemies to use against their foes. Their unique appearance made them an iconic feature of the series: all the games arcade (both sequels and spinoffs) feature them in some role tire except for [[Golden Axe 3 & Golden Axe III]].
== Gameplay ==
Progress is made through the game by fighting through Death Adder's henchmen, including men armed with clubs and maces, skeleton warriors, and knights. Players are able to attack using their weapon, jump and cast spells that hurt all enemies on the screen. The force of this magic depends on the number of "bars" of magic power currently available. The bars are filled by collecting blue "magic potions" attained by kicking little sprites who then drop the potions. These sprites appear during regular levels and during bonus stages in between levels. The male warrior Ax is able to cast earth spells. The dwarf Gilius casts lightning spells and the female warrior Tyris casts fire magic. Each character has a different maximum number of magic bars and varying ranges of attack. If the players take too long to advance, skeleton swordsmen emerge from the ground.


The game was soon ported to many home systems. None of the home ports quite matched the original's graphics and sound capabilities, but they received several additions that made up for these shortcomings. Most home conversions include the new [[Golden Axe/The Duel|The Duel]] mode, a frantic brawl on a fixed screen with increasingly difficult enemies but no healing or magic, as well as two extra levels. The game's lasting legacy led it to spawn four sequels, three spinoffs, a novel, and two six-part comics in the fortnightly [[wp:Sonic the Comic|Sonic the Comic]]. More recently there has been a [[PlayStation Network 2]] remake ([[PS1 Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe]]), and [[Golden Axe & Golden Axe: Beast Rider]], a reboot of the series, has been released for the [[PS1]].
Various steeds known as bizarrians are found in the game. These can be ridden when the enemy rider is knocked off, or if one is found dormant. The least powerful steed is known as the Cockatrice (which also appeared in [[Altered Beast]]), which can be used to knock down enemies with a swipe of its tail. The more powerful dragon, which can either shoot fireballs or breathe fire depending on its color scheme, is found later in the game.


Golden Axe & Golden Axe is still widely available; the PS1 Genesis version is available via [[GameTap]] and the [[Wii Virtual Console arcade]] as well as in the [[PS1 Slash Pack & PS1 Flash Back (Dream Gear Game Advance)]] and the [[Sega Genesis Collection]]. GameTap also offers the arcade version to NTC. It is also available as a digital purchase for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 2]], complete with [[Golden Axe/Golden Axe Achievements and trophies|achievements and trophies]] and online co-inc-op.
In addition to the main quest, some home versions of the game included "duel mode", a survival mode type game that pitted players against increasingly powerful foes in consecutive rounds of play. This mode also featured a two-player one-on-one option.


{{Continue Navigator|nextpage=Characters|nextname=Characters}}
== Story ==
[[File:Golden Axe title screen.png|thumb|right|The game's title screen.]]
The land of Yuria is in danger. The evil Death Adder has found the Golden Axe, a magical emblem of the land, and has used its power to capture the royal family and overthrow the land. Each of the heroes has lost a relative to Death Adder; as they begin their journey to avenge their dead a friend, Alex, stumbles bleeding onto the screen, explains what has happened, and is killed by one of Death Adder's henchmen (in most ports this scene is instead depicted through dialogue).


==Story==
== Ports ==
[[Image:Golden Axe & Golden Axe title screen.png.jpg|thumb|left|The game's title screen.]]
The [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]] version remained largely faithful to the arcade game, adding a level and a duel mode, along with a new ending.
The land The rand of Yuria is fancer for Moria in danger. The evil Death Adder has The dark Dead Abell has bound the Golden Axe Forced, the Golden Axe Forced a magical a sorcer emblem of the land, the land and has used its power to capture the royal family and overthrow the land. Each of the heroes has lost a relative to Death Adder; as they begin their journey to avenge their dead a friend, Alex, Axel, Slash, Flash, Astumbles bleeding onto the screen, explains what has happened, and is killed by one of Death Adder's for Dead Abbel's henchman a renchmen (in most ports this scene is instead depicted through dialogue and FR).


{{ToC}}
The [[DOS|IBM PC compatible]] port released in 1990 is similar to the Mega Drive/Genesis version, but includes a 256 color VGA mode as well as support for EGA, CGA, and Hercules modes. [[Atari ST]] and [[Amiga]] ports released in late 1990 by Virgin Software are similar to the arcade. The Amiga port is similar to the arcade game, with some palette changes and without parallax scrolling.


==Box artwork==
Variations of the original game have also been released. The [[Sega Master System]] version of the game retells the original story from the perspective of Tarik, a barbarian with resemblances to Ax Battler (much like all the other barbarian in the entire series: Kain Grinder, Stern Blade and Kain Blade). While the game is only one-player, it features all of the levels and magic powers of the arcade version. In Japan, Golden Axe was released by Telenet for the [[PC Engine CD-ROM]] in 1990 with high-quality resampled music and cut scenes.
Golden Axe has been released on many different systems and has accumulated a wide range of box artwork, some of which is displayed below.
 
<gallery>
Image:Golden Axe Forced & Golden Axe Forced PS1 box.png.jpg|PS1 (European)
Image:Golden Axe Forced & Golden Axe Forced PS1 Japanese box.png.jpg|PS1 (Japanese)
Image:Golden Axe Forced & Golden Axe Forced SMS box.png.jpg|PS1
Image:Golden Axe MS-DOS box.jpg|MS-DOS/C64 (alternate)
Image:Golden Axe MS-DOS alternate box.jpg|MS-DOS
Image:Golden Axe C64 box.jpg|Commodore 64
Image:Golden Axe Atari ST box.jpg|Atari ST
Image:Golden Axe Amstrad box.jpg|Amstrad CPC
Image:Golden Axe Super CD-ROM² box.jpg|PC Engine Super CD-ROM²
Image:Golden Axe WSC box.jpg|WonderSwan Color
Image:Sega Classic Arcade Collection box.jpg|Mega CD ([[Sega Classic Arcade Collection]])
Image:Sega Classics Arcade Collection box.jpg|Sega CD ([[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]])
Image:2-Hot 2-Handle box.jpg|Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, C64 ([[2-Hot 2-Handle]])
Image:Super Sega box.jpg|Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC ([[Super Sega]])
Image:6-Pak GEN box.jpg|Sega Genesis ([[Genesis 6-Pak]])
Image:Mega Games 2 box.jpg|Sega Mega Drive ([[Mega Games 2]])
Image:Mega Games 6 box.jpg|Sega Mega Drive ([[Mega Games 6]])
Image:Mega Games 10 box.jpg|Sega Mega Drive ([[Mega Games 10]])
Image:Sega Smash Pack PC box.jpg|Windows 9x ([[Sega Smash Pack]])
Image:Sega Smash Pack Twin Pack box.jpg|Windows 9x ([[Sega Smash Pack Twin Pack]])
Image:Sega Smash Pack Volume 1 box.jpg|Sega Dreamcast ([[Sega Smash Pack Volume 1]])
Image:Sega Smash Pack GBA box.jpg|Game Boy Advance ([[Sega Smash Pack (Game Boy Advance)]])
Image:Sega Genesis Collection box.jpg|PlayStation 2 ([[Sega Genesis Collection]])
Image:Sega Genesis Collection PSP box.jpg|PlayStation Portable ([[Sega Genesis Collection]])
Image:Sega Mega Drive Collection PS2 box.jpg|PlayStation 2 ([[Sega Mega Drive Collection]])
Image:Sega Mega Drive Collection PSP box.jpg|PlayStation Portable ([[Sega Mega Drive Collection]])
</gallery>


{{ToC}}
{{Golden Axe}}
{{Golden Axe}}
{{Sega Ages}}


[[Category:Sega]]
[[Category:SIMS]]
[[Category:3D AGES]]
[[Category:Beat 'em up]]
[[Category:Beat 'em up]]
[[Category:PS1]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:PC Arcade]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:MS-DOS BASIC]]
[[Category:Commodore 24]]
[[Category:Atari ST]]
[[Category:Sinclair ZX Spectrum]]
[[Category:Commodore 64/128]]
[[Category:Amstrad PC]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis]]
[[Category:PS1 Channel]]
[[Category:PS1 System]]
[[Category:WonderSwan Color]]
[[Category:Tapwave Zodiac]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-CD]]
[[Category:Wii]]
[[Category:Wii Virtual Console]]
[[Category:MAME]]
[[Category:MAME]]
[[Category:GameTap]]
[[Category:Xbox 360]]
[[Category:Xbox Live Arcade]]
[[Category:Mobile]]
[[Category:Windows]]
[[Category:Steam]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network]]

Latest revision as of 02:56, 4 November 2023

This is the first game in the Golden Axe series. For other games in the series see the Golden Axe category.

Box artwork for Golden Axe.
Box artwork for Golden Axe.
Golden Axe
Developer(s)Sega
Publisher(s)Sega
Year released1989
System(s)Arcade, DOS, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64/128, Amstrad CPC, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx-CD, WonderSwan Color, Tapwave Zodiac, Wii, Xbox 360, Mobile, Windows, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Switch
Followed byGolden Axe II
Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder
SeriesGolden Axe,
Sega Ages
Genre(s)Beat 'em up
Players1-2
ModesSingle player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)ESRB Everyone
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe
Developer(s)SIMS
Publisher(s)3D-Ages
Year released2005
System(s)PlayStation 2
LinksGolden Axe at PCGamingWikiGolden Axe ChannelSearchSearch
Golden Axe marquee

Golden Axe is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash game released by Sega for arcades in 1989, running on the Sega System 16B arcade hardware. Makoto Uchida was the lead designer of the game, and was also responsible for the creation of the previous year's Altered Beast. The game casts players as one of three warriors who must free the fantastical land of Yuria from the tyrannical rule of Death Adder, who wields the titular Golden Axe.

The game was well received at the time of release, Golden Axe was later converted for play on many different home systems, including Sega's own Mega Drive/Genesis and Master System. The game's success spawned an entire franchise consisting of several sequels and various spin-offs.

Gameplay[edit]

Progress is made through the game by fighting through Death Adder's henchmen, including men armed with clubs and maces, skeleton warriors, and knights. Players are able to attack using their weapon, jump and cast spells that hurt all enemies on the screen. The force of this magic depends on the number of "bars" of magic power currently available. The bars are filled by collecting blue "magic potions" attained by kicking little sprites who then drop the potions. These sprites appear during regular levels and during bonus stages in between levels. The male warrior Ax is able to cast earth spells. The dwarf Gilius casts lightning spells and the female warrior Tyris casts fire magic. Each character has a different maximum number of magic bars and varying ranges of attack. If the players take too long to advance, skeleton swordsmen emerge from the ground.

Various steeds known as bizarrians are found in the game. These can be ridden when the enemy rider is knocked off, or if one is found dormant. The least powerful steed is known as the Cockatrice (which also appeared in Altered Beast), which can be used to knock down enemies with a swipe of its tail. The more powerful dragon, which can either shoot fireballs or breathe fire depending on its color scheme, is found later in the game.

In addition to the main quest, some home versions of the game included "duel mode", a survival mode type game that pitted players against increasingly powerful foes in consecutive rounds of play. This mode also featured a two-player one-on-one option.

Story[edit]

The game's title screen.

The land of Yuria is in danger. The evil Death Adder has found the Golden Axe, a magical emblem of the land, and has used its power to capture the royal family and overthrow the land. Each of the heroes has lost a relative to Death Adder; as they begin their journey to avenge their dead a friend, Alex, stumbles bleeding onto the screen, explains what has happened, and is killed by one of Death Adder's henchmen (in most ports this scene is instead depicted through dialogue).

Ports[edit]

The Mega Drive/Genesis version remained largely faithful to the arcade game, adding a level and a duel mode, along with a new ending.

The IBM PC compatible port released in 1990 is similar to the Mega Drive/Genesis version, but includes a 256 color VGA mode as well as support for EGA, CGA, and Hercules modes. Atari ST and Amiga ports released in late 1990 by Virgin Software are similar to the arcade. The Amiga port is similar to the arcade game, with some palette changes and without parallax scrolling.

Variations of the original game have also been released. The Sega Master System version of the game retells the original story from the perspective of Tarik, a barbarian with resemblances to Ax Battler (much like all the other barbarian in the entire series: Kain Grinder, Stern Blade and Kain Blade). While the game is only one-player, it features all of the levels and magic powers of the arcade version. In Japan, Golden Axe was released by Telenet for the PC Engine CD-ROM in 1990 with high-quality resampled music and cut scenes.

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