Genesis[edit]
Stage Select[edit]
This only works in Arcade Mode. At the character select screen, hold
+
and press 
+
. If done correctly a small number will appear in the top-left of the screen. Change it using up and down, and then choose your character (using left and right instead) and press Start.
9 Continues[edit]
This only works in Arcade Mode. At the character select screen, hold +, press 
+
and then release all the buttons. Continue choosing your character as usual.
MS-DOS[edit]
Level Select[edit]
At the character select screen, press a number key on the top row (not the number pad) between 1 and 8, then press Enter. Select your character, and you will begin on that selected stage. In The Duel this will take you to the round with that number. Note that even though The Duel has 15 rounds, the cheat only works up to round 8. In Beginner mode, you can select stage 1-3. Any number higher will take you straight to the ending credits.
Play as enemies[edit]
DWARF.SPR |
Gilius Thunderhead |
HERO.SPR |
Ax Battler |
AMAZON.SPR |
Tyris Flare |
BTHIEF.SPR |
Blue Thief |
GTHIEF.SPR |
Green Thief |
BIGGUY.SPR |
Bad Brother |
CHICKEN.SPR |
Chicken Leg |
DEATH.SPR |
Death Adder |
DRAGON.SPR |
Dragon |
EVILLADY.SPR |
Amazon |
HENINGER.SPR |
Heninger |
LONGMOAN.SPR |
Longmoan |
SKELETON.SPR |
Skeleton |
Some abandonware sites distribute a cracked version known as "Super Golden Axe". This version includes a batch file that allows you to play as various enemies. This trick works with any MS-DOS version, however. The files are listed to the right.
Simply swapping a playable sprite for an enemy sprite makes that enemy replace that character completely. Since this was never an intended game feature there are some snags: enemies have no magic, and can't use attacks they don't normally have. They will also change color as differently-colored enemies of the same type approach, and their palettes corrupt entirely on levels they do not appear on. The Thieves also have their usual "wander" behavior when a direction is pushed.
Of particular interest:
- The Amazon and Bad Brother can cast magic, other enemies cannot.
- The bizarrians are invulnerable (except for falling off cliffs). Thus they may be seen as a form of "infinite health" cheat, as the MS-DOS version has no such cheat built-in. However, the dragons will not be able to use their fireball or fire attack, leaving dash attacks as the only offensive option. The chicken leg, however, not only can swipe enemies with its tail, but due to a weird glitch will damage enemies just by touching them.
Amiga[edit]
Continue Game[edit]
When you reach a Game Over hold I and II and press RUN to continue playing.
Extra life[edit]
Begin a single player game with two joysticks plugged in. After losing a life press Fire on joystick two to get three additional lives.
Commodore 64[edit]
Unlimited Lives[edit]
Load or reset the game, then use the BASIC command POKE 13158,173, then start or reset the game. If done correctly you will have unlimited lives.
Master System[edit]
Extra Continues[edit]
At the Game Over screen hold 
+
to get extra continues.
Extra Lives[edit]
At the Game Over screen hold +
+
.