Difference between revisions of "Golden Axe: The Duel"

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Golden Axe: The Duel

System(s): Sega Titan Video, Sega Saturn

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sega AM1^[1]

Supporting companies:

Three 8 Design Group^[2] (US) (packaging design)

Sound driver:

SCSP/CD-DA (24 tracks)

Genre: Fighting Action/Kakutou Action (格闘アクション)^[3], Action^[4]

Number of players: 1-2

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1995-02^[1]	¥?	?

JP	1995-09-29^[4]	¥5,8005,800	GS-9041
US	1996-06-27^[5]^[6]	$59.9959.99^[7]	81045
EU	1995-12^[8]		MK81045-50
DE	1995		MK81045-50
PT	199x		STJSE0169
UK	1996-04-19^[9]	£39.9939.99^[10]	MK81045-50
PL	1996	219zł219
AU	199x		FGOL16SSC
BR	199x		192226

Golden Axe: The Duel (ゴールデンアックス・ザ・デュエル) is an entry in the Golden Axe series of games, and was initially released for Sega Titan Video arcade hardware in 1995. It later saw a port to the Sega Saturn.

Unlike other Golden Axe games, Golden Axe: The Duel is a 2D versus fighter. It would also be the last Golden Axe game to be released in arcades (and it would be fourteen years until another Golden Axe game was released, Golden Axe: Beast Rider).

Sega Logistics Service announced it would end service on the arcade machines on March 31, 2017.^[11]^[12]

Story

Introduction

Many years after the last war with Death Adder, the magical axe that Gillius Thunderhead used to slay Death Adder is rediscovered. Over time, the powers of the axe have grown. Numerous warriors fight to obtain the powerful axe.

Gameplay

Character select

Gameplay

In a departure from the beat-'em-up genre of the other Golden Axe arcade games, The Duel is a 2D versus fighter modeled after the Street Fighter series of games. As in those games, two combatants battle each other in a small stage, with the goal of draining the other fighter's health bar or having more health remaining when time runs out. Matches are fought to the best of three rounds. Like the Samurai Shodown games, the camera zooms in or out as the fighters move closer or farther apart. There are ten playable characters, all of them new to the game except for long-standing series villain Death Adder.

Characters move with and and crouch with . They hop back in retreat with or run forward with . They jump with and flip back and forth with and . They crouch with . Most characters are armed with weapons, and there are two types of attacks, slashes and kicks, each with three levels of strength. Slashes are done with (light), (medium), and (hard) and kicks are done with (light), (medium), and (hard). Harder attacks do more damage, but they are slower and leave the character vulnerable to counterattack for longer.

Opponents can be grabbed or thrown by holding or while standing next to them, then pressing a hard slash or kick button. Attacks, other than throws moves, can be blocked by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent. Blocking can be done while crouching, and low attacks cannot be blocked while standing. Each character has a selection of special moves that can be performed by pairing specific directional combinations with an attack.

As in the beat-'em-up titles of the series, little elven thieves occasionally appear and run across the screen in the middle of the battle. If either player attacks one of these thieves, they drop pieces of treasure. Blue thieves drop magical potions, while green elves drop pieces of meat that partially restore the character's health. Items are collected by walking over them.

When a character has gathered five potions, shown in the Magic gauge in a bottom corner of the screen, he or she can "power up" by pressing all three slash or kick buttons simultaneously. The character is invulnerable while powering up. The Magic gauge drains while the effect is active, and the character's attacks are empowered until the gauge is emptied. Each character has a powerful "Super" attack that can only be performed while powered up. These attacks are usually much more elaborate and damaging than the other special moves, and they require landing the first strike (without it being blocked or dodged) for the rest of the move to be performed.

Modes

There is an arcade mode where a single player faces every other character in the game (including a match against a duplicate of the selected character) in a random order, ending in fights against Death Adder and the final boss, a physical manifestation of the Golden Axe. A second player can enter the game at any point with START to fight a match against the other player, with the winner continuing the game. There is also a dedicated two-player mode where both players choose a character and fight.

There are three difficulty levels for the computer combatants (Easy, Normal, Hard, and Hardest), there are three speed levels (Slow, Normal, and Fast), and each player can choose from three strength settings (Normal, Strong, and Strongest). Players can change the amount of time allowed per round (40, 50, or 60 seconds or unlimited), toggle green elves and their health pick-ups (which are off by default), or change the starting number of potions for each fighter (between 1 and 5).

Characters

Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, and should be reversed.

S	Any slash button
LS	Light slash
MS	Medium slash
HS	Hard slash

K	Any kick button
LK	Light kick
MK	Medium kick
HK	Hard kick

Playable

Characters have three color schemes depending on whether they are selected with a light, medium, or hard attack button.

Kain Blade

Kain Blade is a barbarian who was orphaned by the war and raised by a famous warrior. After his patron was killed trying to rescue another child, Kain dedicated himself to perfecting his combat skills and wandered the land helping those in need. He seeks the Golden Axe in hopes of uniting the provinces of the continent and foiling the plans of his enemies, Zoma and Keel.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Power Blast	S	Kain shoots a fireball across the screen from his sword.
Fire Edge	S	Kain rises into the air while holding his flaming sword in front of him.
Rushing Kick	K	Kain leaps forward with a flying front kick.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Fire Storm	S	Kain rises into the air while holding his flaming sword in front of him, followed by a trail of fire. If he hits his opponent, he plants his sword in the ground when he lands, which summons a pillar of fire around him, then waves of fire sweep the screen.

Milan Flare

Milan Flare is the princess of the Kingdom of Winwood and a descendant of Tyris Flare. She is the protector of the kingdom and a master of wind magic. She seeks the Golden Axe in order to protect her kingdom, which is the most scientifically advanced of all the provinces, and maintain peace in the land.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Rotor Sword	Hold for 2 seconds, then +S	Milan charges forward while twirling her sword in front of her like a helicopter blade.
Air Strike	Hold for 2 seconds, then +K	Milan kicks, which shoots a projectile across the screen.
Gyro Sword	Hold for 2 seconds, then +S	Milan rises into the air while twirling her sword above her like a helicopter blade.
Bird of Prey	Hold for 2 seconds, then +K, then S or +S	Milan flies into the air and dives back down. While on her way down, this move can be followed up by the Talon Strike with S, where she crosses her fists for an overhead strike, or the Tornado Spin with +S, where she grabs and spins her opponent into a cyclone. The Tornado Spin can only be done if her opponent is on the ground.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Tempest	Hold for 2 seconds, then K, then +S	Milan flies into the air and dives back down. While over her opponent's head (when the opponent is on the ground), she can grab the opponent with +S. Milan summons a large cyclone that takes her and her opponent high into the air, then they fall back down, with Milan slamming her opponent into the ground.

Gillius Rockhead

Gillius Rockhead is a dwarf who is descended from Gillius Thunderhead. Like his ancestor, he has mastered combat with the axe and become a renowned warrior. He seeks the Golden Axe in order to protect his town and prevent it from being used for evil.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Stone Crash	S	Gillius pounds his axe into the ground, causing a stone to fly out in front of him.
Shoulder Charge	K	Gillius leaps forward while ramming his shoulder.
Miner's Drill	S	Gillius somersaults into the air, then spins downward like a drill. If he hits his opponent on the way down, he spins on an axis, using the horns on his hat to gore his opponent.
Stone Storm	HS (close)	Gillius performs a rapid series of palm strikes, each firing a stone projectile from his hands.
Kick Fury	HK (close)	Gillius performs a rapid series of crouching kicks.

Move list (Command normals)
Name	Command	Description
Rock Roll	+ HS in midair	Gillius spins downward diagonally while holding his axe out.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Jawbreak	S (close)	Gillius pounds his axe into the ground, which creates a burst of dust. If he hits his opponent, a shower of stones fly across the screen, and Gillius increases in size and hits his opponent with a rising knee strike.

Zoma

Zoma is a dark mage who once served as the advisor to the King of Lustan. Because of his hunger for power, he was banished to the Southern Plateau, where he lives off the energy of his prisoners. He seeks the Golden Axe to satisfy his lust for power and rule the continent.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Changeling	S	Zoma rolls a crystal ball that explodes when it touches someone, transforming his opponent into a frog for 5 seconds or until the opponent is hit by an attack. Characters in frog form can still move and perform basic attacks. This move has no effect if the opponent is already a frog.
Quick Staff	SSSSS	Zoma performs a flurry of quick strikes with his staff.
Skull Charge	S	Zoma shoots a skull-shaped projectile diagonally downward in midair.
Levitation	K	Zoma jumps into the air, then hovers in place for 5 seconds, until the player presses , or until he is hit by an attack. He jumps a short distance with LK , a medium distance with MK , or a far distance with HK . He is invulnerable while jumping into the air. He can dash and perform the Skull Charge move while levitating.

Move list (Command normals)
Name	Command	Description
Circle of Death	+ HK in midair	Zoma spins his staff in a circle.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Dark Carnival	S	Zoma swings his staff upward. If he hits his opponent, he casts a spell where he levitates and bombards his opponent with magic rays.

Jamm

Jamm is a feral girl who was abandoned by her village when it was raided by an enemy army. A wilderness spirit named Degas found her and raised her in the wilderness, and she learned to fight from the beasts of the land. After Degas died, she began wearing his fur and claws. She seeks the Golden Axe in the hope that she can use it to revive Degas. She is always accompanied by her bear companion Corgon.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Beast Blast	S	Jamm shoots a fireball from her hands across the screen. She shoots a larger fireball when S is held for longer (up to 3 seconds for the largest fireball).
Thundering Herd	Hold for 2 seconds, then +S	Jamm charges forward, then headbutts into the air.
Cat's Paw	KKKKK	Jamm performs a rapid series of crouching kicks.

Move list (Command normals)
Name	Command	Description
Snapping Tail	+ MK	Jamm kicks her opponent, then follows it up with a tail whip.
Mule Kick	+ HK	Jamm spins around and kicks behind her.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Spirit Summon	Hold for 2 seconds, then S	Jamm charges forward. If she hits her opponent, she headbutts into the air, then her animal pelt comes to life and blitzes the ground with a rolling fire wave.

Death Adder

Death Adder is a mysterious figure who is believed to be an evil spirit. He was believed to have been killed by Gillius Thunderhead generations ago, but he has again appeared to terrorize the land. If he obtains the Golden Axe, it is certain that he will plunge the continent into a new age of darkness.

He is the recurring antagonist of the series and always appears as the second-to-last opponent of the game.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Dragon Breath	S	The dragon in Death Adder's shield breathes fire in front of him. He cannot use this move if his shield breaks (which can happen by taking too much damage from blocking).
Death Wave	Hold for 2 seconds, then +S	Death Adder slams his shield into the ground, which causes an energy wave to ripple out along the ground in front of him.

Move list (Command normals)
Name	Command	Description
Falling Sky	+ HK in midair	Death Adder falls backward to the ground.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Soul Taker	+ all three S simultaneously (close)	Death Adder grabs his opponent. A blast wave explodes out from them, and Death Adder holds his opponent in a beam of explosive power until both are thrown back by it.

Keel

Keel is an elf warrior who lives in the northern province of Crystal. He was encased in ice by his clan, but he was freed from his prison when Death Adder was revived. It is unknown why he seeks the Golden Axe, but it is believed that he has sinister intentions.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Ice Arrow	S	Keel swings his arm, sending an ice shard flying across the screen.
Power Stab	S	Keel charges forward while holding his daggers out.
Ice Slide	K	Keel slides forward along the ground with a kick that knocks his opponent over on impact.
Freezing Bolt	S	Keel conjures a ball of cold air, which sends his opponent flying back on impact.
Dematerialization	K	Keel sinks into the ground, reappearing somewhere else. He teleports to the middle of the screen with LK , in front of his opponent with MK , or behind his opponent with HK .

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Insanity Winds	S	Keel thrusts a large ice dagger forward. If he hits his opponent, he sinks into the ground, reappears as a giant ice sculpture, and breathes a flurry of ice shards at his opponent.

Doc

Doc is a healer from the island of Miribar. He abandoned his studies to seek the Golden Axe.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Dashing Strike	HS	Doc dashes forward with a horizontal sword swipe.
Scalpel Slash	Hold for 2 seconds, then +S	Doc jumps high into the air while swinging his sword up.
Roundhouse	S	Doc hops forward while spinning, followed by a downward sword slash. Doc is invulnerable during the hop. If the player continues to hold S through the move, Doc follows up with a glowing palm strike.
Roundhouse Feint	K	Doc hops forward while spinning, but he does not perform a sword slash. Doc is invulnerable during the hop.
Triple Kick	K	Doc kicks three times in one rising motion.
Head Shock	S (close)	Doc grabs then jabs his opponent with the hilt of his sword, which glows with energy.

Move list (Command normals)
Name	Command	Description
Surprise Jump	+K in midair when near the edge of the screen	Doc jumps off the side of the screen, high into the air.
Sliding Knee	+K in midair when near the edge of the screen	Doc drops diagonally off the side of the screen with a knee strike, sliding on the ground after landing.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Shock Wave	S	Doc shoots a projectile forward. If he hits his opponent, he stabs his sword into the ground, unleashing an eruption of energy from the ground under his opponent.

Green

Green is a half-human, half-plant giant from deep in the continent's forests. He is the last of his kind, after the rest of his kind were exterminated by Death Adder. He escaped Death Adder's clutches with the help of a woman named Maria. He seeks the Golden Axe so he can face Death Adder and find Maria.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Back Breaker	D-Pad in a 360° rotation, then K (close)	Green lifts his opponent high into the air, then slams his opponent's back into his knee upon landing.
Attack Feint	Hold for 2 seconds, then +K	Green dashes forward but does not attack. This move can be followed up by the Giant's Hook with +S, where he bashes his opponent into the air with his fist.
Windmill	Hold all three S or K for 3 seconds, then release	Green rolls his arms around like a windmill while walking forward. He attacks more times if the buttons are held for longer (up to 8 seconds for 5 strikes). If the player has five potions, holding all three S or K simultaneously ordinarily powers up the Magic gauge, but this move can be charged instead if the buttons are pressed in the middle of an attack or jump.
Mammoth Slam	HS while jumping diagonally	Green holds his hand out, which slams his opponent against the ground if it connects.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Raging Forest	D-Pad in a 360° rotation, then all three S simultaneously (close)	Green wraps his opponent in vines, then performs a Back Breaker. The opponent bounces back into the air, then lands on Green's spiked arms.

Panchos

Panchos is an explosives expert from the volcanic province of Blo. His father was an inventor who taught him all about bombs. He seeks the Golden Axe for the sake of adventure.

Move list (Special moves)
Name	Command	Description
Mini Bomb	S	Panchos tosses a bomb in an arc in front of him, which explodes and knocks over his opponent on impact.
Mega Bomb	, then hold and release K	Panchos tosses a bomb in an arc in front of him. The bomb does not explode until shortly after the player releases the K button.
Dyna Might	K	Panchos jumps into the air with a rising knee strike, followed by a diving knee strike, while glowing with burning energy that knocks his opponent over on impact.

Move list (Super moves)
Name	Command	Description
Blast Wave	S (close)	Panchos jumps into the air with a rising knee strike, then performs cannonball rolling attack on his opponent that leave behind detonating duplicates of himself.

Unplayable

	Golden Axe
	A physical manifestation of the Golden Axe itself. He is the final boss of the game.

Stages

Every character has his or her own stage where matches are hosted, except for Jamm, who fights in her opponent's stage (or Wenpa Harbor when facing herself). Jamm's pet bear, Corgon, appears in the background of any stage when she is fighting.

Draconian Village

Stage of Kain Blade.

Windwood Castle

Stage of Milan Flare.

Guillegun's Cave

Stage of Gillius Rockhead.

Dark Island

Stage of Zoma.

Death Palace

Stage of Death Adder.

Crystal Haven

Stage of Keel.

Wenpa Harbor

Stage of Doc.

Urupagu Forest

Stage of Green.

Iron Lab

Stage of Panchos.

Death Palace

Stage of Golden Axe.

Versions

The Saturn version is missing some frames of animation and has slightly remixed music. The English text for the endings has been rewritten.

Production credits

Main article: Golden Axe: The Duel/Production credits.

Magazine articles

Main article: Golden Axe: The Duel/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

ST-V JP flyer

Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1995-10: "October 1995" (1995-09-08)

Physical scans

Sega Titan Video version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Version	Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Golden Axe: The Duel

Sega Titan Video, JP
"Long" instructions "Long" instructions (2)
Cart Instuction card(s)

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

576 KByte (HU)

76

^[13]

CD Consoles (FR)

52

^[14]

Consoles News (FR)

PAL

88

^[15]

Consoles + (FR)

89

^[16]

Consoles + (FR)

87

^[17]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

82

^[18]

Digitiser (UK)

PAL

58

^[19]

Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)

NTSC-U

61

^[20]

GameFan (US)

NTSC-U

79

^[21]

Game Players (US)

NTSC-U

63

^[7]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

65

^[22]

GamesMaster (UK)

NTSC

80

^[23]

Game Informer (US)

NTSC-U

56

^[24]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

PAL

91

^[25]

Intelligent Gamer (US)

NTSC-U

67

^[26]

Joypad (FR)

85

^[27]

MAN!AC (DE)

NTSC-J

67

^[28]

Maximum (UK)

50

^[29]

Mega Force (FR)

PAL

83

^[30]

Mega Fun (DE)

NTSC-J

86

^[31]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

NTSC-J

85

^[32]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

PAL

84

^[10]

Next Generation (US)

NTSC-U

50

^[33]

neXt Level (DE)

70

^[34]

Player One (FR)

82

^[35]

Saturn Fan (JP)

NTSC-J

69

^[36]

Sega Magazin (DE)

PAL

86

^[37]

Sega News (CZ)

81

^[38]

Sega Power (UK)

NTSC-J

70

^[39]

Sega Pro (UK)

NTSC

84

^[40]

Sega Saturn Magazine (UK)

PAL

85

^[8]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

70

^[41]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

70

^[42]

Última Generación (ES)

72

^[43]

VideoGames (US)

NTSC-U

70

^[44]

	74
Based on 35 reviews

Golden Axe: The Duel

Saturn, JP
Cover
Spinecard Disc

Saturn, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Saturn, EU
Cover

Saturn, DE
Cover

Saturn, PT
Cover

Saturn, AU

Saturn, BR
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Golden Axe: The Duel/Technical information.

External links

Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese): Saturn

References

Golden Axe: The Duel
	Main page \| Comparisons \| Credits \| Hidden content \| Magazine articles \| Video coverage \| Reception \| Technical information Prototypes: 1996-02-19

Golden Axe series of games
	Golden Axe (1989) \| Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder (1992) \| Golden Axe: The Duel (1994) \| Golden Axe (slot machine) (2010)
	Golden Axe (1989) \| Golden Axe II (1991) \| Golden Axe III (1993)
	Golden Axe (1989) \| Golden Axe Warrior (1991)
	Golden Axe (1990)
	Electronic Golden Axe (1990)
	Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe (1991)
	Golden Axe: The Duel (1995)
	Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe (2003)
	Golden Axe: Beast Rider (2008)
	Golden Axe (2009) \| Golden Axe (2017)
	Sega Vintage Collection: Golden Axe (2012)
	Golden Axed: A Cancelled Prototype (2020)
Golden Axe related media
	Golden Axe I & II (2016)
	Sega Mega Drive Attack Manual Book Tatsujin & Golden Axe (1990) \| Golden Axe (1992) \| Golden Axe: Beast Rider Official Strategy Guide (2008) \| The Art of Golden Axe: Beast Rider (2008)

[:File:Sega_Arcade_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book-1.pdf_p135-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Sega Arcade History, Enterbrain, page 135

[:File:Goldenaxetheduel_sat_us_manual.pdf_p21-2] File:Goldenaxetheduel sat us manual.pdf, page 21

[:File:GAtD_Saturn_JP_Box_Back.jpg_p-3] File:GAtD Saturn JP Box Back.jpg

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F20200304081325.2Fhttps:.2F.2Fsega.jp.2Fhistory.2Fhard.2Fsegasaturn.2Fsoftware.html-4] 4.0 ^4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-04 08:13)

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F19970606055131.2Fhttp:.2F.2Fwww.sega-saturn.com.2Fsaturn.2Fother.2Fjune-n.htm-5] ttp://www.sega-saturn.com/saturn/other/june-n.htm (Wayback Machine: 1997-06-06 05:51)

[https:.2F.2Fgroups.google.com.2Fg.2Frec.games.video.sega.2Fc.2FJo3KH0OoNpk.2Fm.2FCtBfYXbDFZwJ-6] ttps://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/Jo3KH0OoNpk/m/CtBfYXbDFZwJ

[:File:GamePlayers_US_0908.pdf_p72-7] 7.0 ^7.1 Game Players, "Vol. 9 No. 8 August 1996" (US; 1996-07-09), page 72

[:File:SSM_UK_02.pdf_p80-8] 8.0 ^8.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-24), page 80

[9] Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1996-04-15), page 85

[:File:MeanMachinesSega40UK.pdf_p91-10] 10.0 ^10.1 Mean Machines Sega, "February 1996" (UK; 1995-12-xx), page 91

[:File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement_2016-11_JP.pdf_p-11] File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-11 JP.pdf

[:File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement_2016-12.pdf_p-12] File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-12.pdf

[:File:576KB_HU_1996-06.pdf_p20-13] 576 KByte, "Június 1996" (HU; 1996-xx-xx), page 20

[:File:CDConsoles_FR_11.pdf_p132-14] CD Consoles, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 132

[:File:ConsolesNews_FR_02.pdf_p92-15] Consoles News, "Juillet/Août 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 92

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_048.pdf_p100-16] Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 100

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_054.pdf_p140-17] Consoles +, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 140

[:File:CVG_UK_169.pdf_p56-18] Computer & Video Games, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-10), page 56

[digitiser1996-04-171045-19] Digitiser (UK) (1996-04-17)

[:File:EGM_US_084.pdf_p26-20] Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 26

[:File:GameFan_US_0407.pdf_p12-21] GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 7: July 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 12

[:File:GamePro_US_094.pdf_p76-22] GamePro, "July 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 76

[gamesmastertv5x101045-23] GamesMaster (UK) "Series 5, episode 10" (1995-11-23, 24:00) (+10:45)

[:File:GameInformer_US_039.pdf_p59-24] Game Informer, "July 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 59

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_052.pdf_p86-25] Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1996" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 86

[:File:IntelligentGamer_US_01.pdf_p87-26] Intelligent Gamer, "June 1996" (US; 1996-05-27), page 87

[:File:Joypad_FR_053.pdf_p64-27] Joypad, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 64

[:File:MAN.21AC_DE_1995-12.pdf_p40-28] MAN!AC, "12/95" (DE; 1995-11-08), page 40

[:File:MAXIMUM_UK_02.pdf_p146-29] Maximum, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-11-xx), page 146

[:File:MegaForce_FR_50.pdf_p38-30] Mega Force, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 38

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1995-11.pdf_p80-31] Mega Fun, "11/95" (DE; 1995-10-18), page 80

[:File:MeanMachinesSega39UK.pdf_p71-32] Mean Machines Sega, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-11-xx), page 71

[:File:NextGeneration_US_20.pdf_p94-33] Next Generation, "August 1996" (US; 1996-07-23), page 94

[:File:NextLevel_DE_1996-06.pdf_p73-34] neXt Level, "Juni 1996" (DE; 1996-05-15), page 73

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_064.pdf_p116-35] Player One, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 116

[:File:SaturnFan_JP_1995-12_19951215.pdf_p60-36] Saturn Fan, "1995 December" (JP; 1995-11-08), page 60

[:File:SegaMagazin_DE_26.pdf_p78-37] Sega Magazin, "Januar 1996" (DE; 1995-12-13), page 78

[:File:Sega_News_4_CZ.pdf_p15-38] Sega News, "Leden 1997" (CZ; 1997-xx-xx), page 15

[:File:SegaPower_UK_74.pdf_p59-39] Sega Power, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-11-16), page 59

[:File:SegaPro_UK_52.pdf_p42-40] Sega Pro, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-02), page 42

[:File:SSM_JP_19951001_1995-10.pdf_p177-41] Sega Saturn Magazine, "October 1995" (JP; 1995-09-08), page 177

[:File:SnGwSISDRZK_Book_JP.pdf_p15-42] Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 15

[:File:UltimaGeneracion_ES_09.pdf_p94-43] Última Generación, "Diciembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 94

[:File:VideoGames_US_91.pdf_p62-44] VideoGames, "August 1996" (US; 1996-07-xx), page 62

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Difference between revisions of "Golden Axe: The Duel"

From Sega Retro

Revision as of 02:34, 13 May 2024

Contents

Story

Gameplay

Modes

Characters

Playable

Unplayable

Stages

Versions

Production credits

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Physical scans

Sega Titan Video version

Saturn version

Technical information

External links

References

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Bob
 | bobscreen=GoldenAxeDuel title.png
+| bobscreen2=GoldenAxeTheDuel Saturn US Title.png
+| bobscreen3=GoldenAxeTheDuel Saturn JP SSTitle.png
+| tab1=ST-V
+| tab2={{SAT}} NTSC-U/PAL
+| tab3={{SAT}} NTSC-J
 | publisher=[[Sega]]
-| developer=[[Sega AM1]]
+| developer=[[Sega AM1]]{{fileref|Sega Arcade History JP EnterBrain Book-1.pdf|page=135}}
+| support={{Company|[[Three 8 Creative Group|Three 8 Design Group]]{{fileref|Goldenaxetheduel sat us manual.pdf|page=21}}|region=US|system=SAT|role=packaging design}}
 | system=[[Sega Titan Video]], [[Sega Saturn]]
 | sounddriver={{SAT}} SCSP/CD-DA (24 tracks)
 | peripherals=
 | players=1-2
-| genre=Fighting
+| genre=Fighting Action/Kakutou Action (格闘アクション){{fileref|GAtD Saturn JP Box Back.jpg}}, Action{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200304081325/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html}}
 | releases={{releasesArcade
-| stv_date_jp=1995
+| stv_date_jp=1995-02{{fileref|Sega Arcade History JP EnterBrain Book-1.pdf|page=135}}
 }}
 {{releasesSat
-| sat_date_eu=1995
+| sat_date_jp=1995-09-29{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200304081325/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html}}
+| sat_code_jp=GS-9041
+| sat_rrp_jp=5,800
+| sat_rating_jp=all
+| sat_date_us=1996-06-27{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/19970606055131/http://www.sega-saturn.com/saturn/other/june-n.htm}}{{ref|https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/Jo3KH0OoNpk/m/CtBfYXbDFZwJ}}
+| sat_code_us=81045
+| sat_rating_us=t
+| sat_rrp_us=59.99{{magref|gameplayers|0908|72}}<!--39.99{{fileref|SegaFY1997BrandReview US.pdf|page=10}}-->
+| sat_date_eu=1995-12{{magref|ssm|2|80}}
 | sat_code_eu=MK81045-50
+| sat_rating_eu=11
+| sat_date_uk=1996-04-19{{magref|ctw|583|85}}
+| sat_code_uk=MK81045-50
+| sat_rating_uk=11
 | sat_rrp_uk=39.99{{magref|mms|40|91}}
-| sat_date_us=1996-06-27
+| sat_date_de=1995
-| sat_code_us=81045
+| sat_code_de=MK81045-50
-| sat_rrp_us=59.99{{magref|gameplayers|0908|72}}
+| sat_rating_de=16
-| sat_date_jp=1995-09-29
-| sat_code_jp=GS-9041
-| sat_rrp_jp=5,800
 | sat_date_br=199x
 | sat_code_br=192226
+| sat_rating_br=ti
+| sat_date_pl=1996
+| sat_rrp_pl=219
+| sat_date_au=199x
+| sat_code_au=FGOL16SSC
+| sat_date_pt=199x
+| sat_code_pt=STJSE0169
 }}
-| sega=all
+| properties={{Properties|SAT|ssl}}
-| elspa=11
-| esrb=t
-| tectoy=ti
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-'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ゴールデンアックス・ザ・デュエル) is an entry in the ''Golden Axe'' series of games, and was initially released for [[Sega Titan Video]] arcade hardware in 1995. It later saw a port to the [[Sega Saturn]].
+'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ゴールデンアックス・ザ・デュエル) is an entry in the ''[[:Category:Golden Axe (franchise)|Golden Axe]]'' series of games, and was initially released for [[Sega Titan Video]] arcade hardware in 1995. It later saw a port to the [[Sega Saturn]].
-Unlike other ''Golden Axe'' games, ''Golden Axe: The Duel'' is a 2D versus fighter. It would also be the last ''Golden Axe'' game to be released in arcades (and it would be fourteen years until another ''Golden Axe'' game would be released - ''[[Golden Axe: Beast Rider]]'').
+Unlike other ''Golden Axe'' games, ''Golden Axe: The Duel'' is a 2D versus fighter. It would also be the last ''Golden Axe'' game to be released in arcades (and it would be fourteen years until another ''Golden Axe'' game was released, ''[[Golden Axe: Beast Rider]]'').
+[[Sega Logistics Service]] announced it would end service on the arcade machines on March 31, 2017.{{fileref|SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-11 JP.pdf}}{{fileref|SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-12.pdf}}
 ==Story==
-{{quote|
+{{ScreenThumb|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Introduction.png|width=200|Introduction}}
-'''THE AXE UNEARTHED!'''
+Many years after the last war with Death Adder, the magical axe that Gillius Thunderhead used to slay Death Adder is rediscovered. Over time, the powers of the axe have grown. Numerous warriors fight to obtain the powerful axe.
+==Gameplay==
+{{ScreenThumb|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Character Select.png|width=200|Character select}}
+{{ScreenThumb|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Gameplay.png|width=200|Gameplay}}
+In a departure from the beat-'em-up genre of the other ''Golden Axe'' arcade games, ''The Duel'' is a 2D versus fighter modeled after the ''[[:Category:Street Fighter|Street Fighter]]'' series of games. As in those games, two combatants battle each other in a small stage, with the goal of draining the other fighter's health bar or having more health remaining when time runs out. Matches are fought to the best of three rounds. Like the ''[[:Category:Samurai Shodown (franchise)|Samurai Shodown]]'' games, the camera zooms in or out as the fighters move closer or farther apart. There are ten playable characters, all of them new to the game except for long-standing series villain Death Adder.
-Many years have passed since the last war with Death Adder.
+Characters move with {{left}} and {{right}} and crouch with {{down}}. They hop back in retreat with {{left}} {{left}} or run forward with {{right}} {{right}}. They jump with {{up}} and flip back and forth with {{upleft}} and {{upright}}. They crouch with {{down}}. Most characters are armed with weapons, and there are two types of attacks, slashes and kicks, each with three levels of strength. Slashes are done with {{X}} (light), {{Y}} (medium), and {{Z}} (hard) and kicks are done with {{A}} (light), {{B}} (medium), and {{C}} (hard). Harder attacks do more damage, but they are slower and leave the character vulnerable to counterattack for longer.
-But as memories of those dark times begin to fade, another war is beginning. Out of the mists of time, a magical axe is discovered. The legend of the axe is well known throughout the land, for it is told that this axe is the very one which Gillius Thunderhead used to slay Death Adder.
+Opponents can be grabbed or thrown by holding {{left}} or {{right}} while standing next to them, then pressing a hard slash or kick button. Attacks, other than throws moves, can be blocked by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent. Blocking can be done while crouching, and low attacks cannot be blocked while standing. Each character has a selection of special moves that can be performed by pairing specific directional combinations with an attack.
-Over time the powers of the axe have grown. It is said that the artifact can grant it's owner anything his or her heart desires. Young and old, good and evil, many are drawn towards the power of the weapon. Thus begins the war of the Golden Axe...
+As in the beat-'em-up titles of the series, little elven thieves occasionally appear and run across the screen in the middle of the battle. If either player attacks one of these thieves, they drop pieces of treasure. Blue thieves drop magical potions, while green elves drop pieces of meat that partially restore the character's health. Items are collected by walking over them.
-Ten fighters remain from thousands. Select one of them and begin battling your way to claim the axe. You'll need to beat the other nine characters before you can take the prize. Each one is a talented fighter, determined to go all the way and use the axe for his or her own purposes. Better be ready, the first fighter is waiting!
+When a character has gathered five potions, shown in the Magic gauge in a bottom corner of the screen, he or she can "power up" by pressing all three slash or kick buttons simultaneously. The character is invulnerable while powering up. The Magic gauge drains while the effect is active, and the character's attacks are empowered until the gauge is emptied. Each character has a powerful "Super" attack that can only be performed while powered up. These attacks are usually much more elaborate and damaging than the other special moves, and they require landing the first strike (without it being blocked or dodged) for the rest of the move to be performed.
-|US Manual{{fileref|Goldenaxetheduel sat us manual.pdf}}}}
+===Modes===
+There is an arcade mode where a single player faces every other character in the game (including a match against a duplicate of the selected character) in a random order, ending in fights against Death Adder and the final boss, a physical manifestation of the Golden Axe. A second player can enter the game at any point with {{Start}} to fight a match against the other player, with the winner continuing the game. There is also a dedicated two-player mode where both players choose a character and fight.
+There are three difficulty levels for the computer combatants (Easy, Normal, Hard, and Hardest), there are three speed levels (Slow, Normal, and Fast), and each player can choose from three strength settings (Normal, Strong, and Strongest). Players can change the amount of time allowed per round (40, 50, or 60 seconds or unlimited), toggle green elves and their health pick-ups (which are off by default), or change the starting number of potions for each fighter (between 1 and 5).
-==Gameplay==
 ===Characters===
+{{MoveListNote|legend=SamuraiShodown}}
+====Playable====
+Characters have three color schemes depending on whether they are selected with a light, medium, or hard attack button.
 {{InfoTable|imagewidths=150|
 {{InfoRow
 | title=Kain Blade
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Kain.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Kain.png
-| desc= Orphaned by the war and found by a famous warrior, Kain Blade learned the art of swordsmanship from an early age. When his patron died attempting to save another child from fire, Kain could not accept the way his master died. Kain's whole life had been devoted to perfecting his combat skills; death by other than combat was unimaginable.<br>Seen as a samaritan by some, a meddler by others, Kain has taken to wandering the various provinces to help those in need. He seeks the axe in the hopes to unite the provinces of the continent and end the diabolical planes of his enemies, Zoma and Keel. They will try to stop him, but Kain is determined to win.
+| desc=Kain Blade is a barbarian who was orphaned by the war and raised by a famous warrior. After his patron was killed trying to rescue another child, Kain dedicated himself to perfecting his combat skills and wandered the land helping those in need. He seeks the Golden Axe in hopes of uniting the provinces of the continent and foiling the plans of his enemies, Zoma and Keel.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Power Blast | {{QCF}} {{slash}} | Kain shoots a fireball across the screen from his sword.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Fire Edge | {{DPF}} {{slash}} | Kain rises into the air while holding his flaming sword in front of him.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Rushing Kick | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Kain leaps forward with a flying front kick.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Fire Storm | {{DPF}} {{upright}} {{slash}} | Kain rises into the air while holding his flaming sword in front of him, followed by a trail of fire. If he hits his opponent, he plants his sword in the ground when he lands, which summons a pillar of fire around him, then waves of fire sweep the screen.}}
+}}
 }}
 {{InfoRow
 | title=Milan Flare
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Milan.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Milan.png
-| desc= Milan Flare is the princess of the kingdom of Winwood, and descendant of Tyris Flare (Tiris in the manual for some reason), who helped defeat Death Adder long ago. She is also the protector of the kingdom, and relies on wind magic to battle her adversaries. Though a bit young and brash, she takes her role of protector seriously and has won the confidence of her people.<br>The kingdom of Winwood is the most scientifically advanced of all the provinces. It is a prized jewel for many would-be leaders who could use the power of the winds. Should Milan win, the Golden Axe would be used to ensure that Winwood does not fall to foreign invaders.
+| desc=Milan Flare is the princess of the Kingdom of Winwood and a descendant of Tyris Flare. She is the protector of the kingdom and a master of wind magic. She seeks the Golden Axe in order to protect her kingdom, which is the most scientifically advanced of all the provinces, and maintain peace in the land.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Rotor Sword | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{slash}} | Milan charges forward while twirling her sword in front of her like a helicopter blade.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Air Strike | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{kick}} | Milan kicks, which shoots a projectile across the screen.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Gyro Sword | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{up}}+{{slash}} | Milan rises into the air while twirling her sword above her like a helicopter blade.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Bird of Prey | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{up}}+{{kick}}, then {{slash}} or {{down}}+{{slash}} | Milan flies into the air and dives back down. While on her way down, this move can be followed up by the Talon Strike with {{slash}}, where she crosses her fists for an overhead strike, or the Tornado Spin with {{down}}+{{slash}}, where she grabs and spins her opponent into a cyclone. The Tornado Spin can only be done if her opponent is on the ground.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Tempest | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{downright}} {{right}} {{upright}} {{kick}}, then {{down}}+{{slash}} | Milan flies into the air and dives back down. While over her opponent's head (when the opponent is on the ground), she can grab the opponent with {{down}}+{{slash}}. Milan summons a large cyclone that takes her and her opponent high into the air, then they fall back down, with Milan slamming her opponent into the ground.}}
+}}
 }}
 {{InfoRow
 | title=Gillius Rockhead
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Gillius.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Gillius.png
-| desc= Like Milan Flare, Gillius Rockhead comes from a family of distinguished fighters. His great-grandfather, Gillius Thunderhead, is the legendary axeman who with the mystical Golden Axe helped slay Death Adder. It's not easy living in the shadow of such an ancestor, but Gillius, too, has perfected axe-battling and has become a renowned warrior.<br>When news of Death Adder's reappearance reached the town of Gilliam, Gillius Rockhead was the first to prepare for war. The people of his town must not suffer again.
+| desc=Gillius Rockhead is a dwarf who is descended from Gillius Thunderhead. Like his ancestor, he has mastered combat with the axe and become a renowned warrior. He seeks the Golden Axe in order to protect his town and prevent it from being used for evil.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Stone Crash | {{HCF}} {{slash}} | Gillius pounds his axe into the ground, causing a stone to fly out in front of him.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Shoulder Charge | {{QCF}} {{kick}} | Gillius leaps forward while ramming his shoulder.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Miner's Drill | {{QCB}} {{slash}} | Gillius somersaults into the air, then spins downward like a drill. If he hits his opponent on the way down, he spins on an axis, using the horns on his hat to gore his opponent.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Stone Storm | {{right}} {{left}} {{right}} {{HS}} (close) | Gillius performs a rapid series of palm strikes, each firing a stone projectile from his hands.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Kick Fury | {{right}} {{downright}} {{down}} {{HK}} (close) | Gillius performs a rapid series of crouching kicks.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Command normals |
+{{MoveListRow | Rock Roll | {{down}}+{{HS}} in midair | Gillius spins downward diagonally while holding his axe out.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Jawbreak | {{right}} {{downright}} {{down}} {{downleft}} {{upright}} {{slash}} (close) | Gillius pounds his axe into the ground, which creates a burst of dust. If he hits his opponent, a shower of stones fly across the screen, and Gillius increases in size and hits his opponent with a rising knee strike.}}
+}}
 }}
 {{InfoRow
 | title=Zoma
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Zoma.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Zoma.png
-| desc= Only the brave or foolish enter the Southern Plateau, a wasteland where little grows but where evil is said to thrive. This is also the home of Zoma. It is said he uses the life energies of captured travelers to sustain himself in this bleak environment.<br>Zoma served as an advisor to the king of Lustan, a kingdom which bordered the plateau in the ancient days. Zoma's lust for power finally forced the king to banish his former minister to the plateau. Through the centuries, Zoma has been content to live off of the energies of his prisoners. However, the announcement of the Golden Axe has stirred his lust for power once again. Zoma has stated that he will rule the continent "without mercy" when he wins.
+| desc=Zoma is a dark mage who once served as the advisor to the King of Lustan. Because of his hunger for power, he was banished to the Southern Plateau, where he lives off the energy of his prisoners. He seeks the Golden Axe to satisfy his lust for power and rule the continent.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Changeling | {{QCF}} {{slash}} | Zoma rolls a crystal ball that explodes when it touches someone, transforming his opponent into a frog for 5 seconds or until the opponent is hit by an attack. Characters in frog form can still move and perform basic attacks. This move has no effect if the opponent is already a frog.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Quick Staff | {{repeat|{{slash}}}} | Zoma performs a flurry of quick strikes with his staff.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Skull Charge | {{upleft}} {{downright}} {{slash}} | Zoma shoots a skull-shaped projectile diagonally downward in midair.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Levitation | {{DPF}} {{kick}} | Zoma jumps into the air, then hovers in place for 5 seconds, until the player presses {{down}}, or until he is hit by an attack. He jumps a short distance with {{LK}}, a medium distance with {{MK}}, or a far distance with {{HK}}. He is invulnerable while jumping into the air. He can dash and perform the Skull Charge move while levitating.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Command normals |
+{{MoveListRow | Circle of Death | {{down}}+{{HK}} in midair | Zoma spins his staff in a circle.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Dark Carnival | {{QCF}} {{QCF}} {{slash}} | Zoma swings his staff upward. If he hits his opponent, he casts a spell where he levitates and bombards his opponent with magic rays.}}
+}}
 }}
 {{InfoRow
-| title=Doc
+| title=Jamm
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Doc.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Jamm.png
-| desc= The island of Miribar is a unique place: its ports stocked with goods and animals from distant lands, its college healers the best in the provinces. But when the man calling himself "''Doc''" resigned from his position at the school to seek the Golden Axe, the island folk were stunned. A healing man who fights? No one had ever quit the college before.<br>Doc has promised to bring the Golden Axe back to the province. This, to say the least, has caused mixed feelings. Why welcome back a man who broke his vows, even if he returns with the legendary axe?
+| desc=Jamm is a feral girl who was abandoned by her village when it was raided by an enemy army. A wilderness spirit named Degas found her and raised her in the wilderness, and she learned to fight from the beasts of the land. After Degas died, she began wearing his fur and claws. She seeks the Golden Axe in the hope that she can use it to revive Degas. She is always accompanied by her bear companion Corgon.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Beast Blast | {{QCF}} {{slash}} | Jamm shoots a fireball from her hands across the screen. She shoots a larger fireball when {{slash}} is held for longer (up to 3 seconds for the largest fireball).}}
+{{MoveListRow | Thundering Herd | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{slash}} | Jamm charges forward, then headbutts into the air.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Cat's Paw | {{repeat|{{kick}}}} | Jamm performs a rapid series of crouching kicks.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Command normals |
+{{MoveListRow | Snapping Tail | {{right}}+{{MK}} | Jamm kicks her opponent, then follows it up with a tail whip.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Mule Kick | {{right}}+{{HK}} | Jamm spins around and kicks behind her.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Spirit Summon | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{DPF}} {{slash}} | Jamm charges forward. If she hits her opponent, she headbutts into the air, then her animal pelt comes to life and blitzes the ground with a rolling fire wave.}}
+}}
+}}
+{{InfoRow
+| title=Death Adder
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Dethadder.png
+| desc=Death Adder is a mysterious figure who is believed to be an evil spirit. He was believed to have been killed by Gillius Thunderhead generations ago, but he has again appeared to terrorize the land. If he obtains the Golden Axe, it is certain that he will plunge the continent into a new age of darkness.
+He is the recurring antagonist of the series and always appears as the second-to-last opponent of the game.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Dragon Breath | {{HCF}} {{slash}} | The dragon in Death Adder's shield breathes fire in front of him. He cannot use this move if his shield breaks (which can happen by taking too much damage from blocking).}}
+{{MoveListRow | Death Wave | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{slash}} | Death Adder slams his shield into the ground, which causes an energy wave to ripple out along the ground in front of him.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Command normals |
+{{MoveListRow | Falling Sky | {{down}}+{{HK}} in midair | Death Adder falls backward to the ground.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Soul Taker | {{HCB}} + all three {{slash}} simultaneously (close) | Death Adder grabs his opponent. A blast wave explodes out from them, and Death Adder holds his opponent in a beam of explosive power until both are thrown back by it.}}
+}}
 }}
 {{InfoRow
 | title=Keel
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Keel.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Keel.png
-| desc= From the northern province of Crystal comes Keel, an elf warrior determined to destroy all who oppose him. He is known throughout the provinces by many names: "Keel the Mad," "The Lancer," and "Stinging Ice" are among them. Those who travel across the tundra do so only in large numbers, for it is said Keel haunts the roads looking for prey.<br>His own clan has tried unsuccessfully to get rid of him, the last time by encasing him in ice. He should have perished, but after Death Adder's revival, Keel disappeared. Keel has always been ambitious, and several elves remember him vowing to one day become ruler of Crystal. Only now do they fear it's possible.
+| desc=Keel is an elf warrior who lives in the northern province of Crystal. He was encased in ice by his clan, but he was freed from his prison when Death Adder was revived. It is unknown why he seeks the Golden Axe, but it is believed that he has sinister intentions.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Ice Arrow | {{QCF}} {{slash}} | Keel swings his arm, sending an ice shard flying across the screen.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Power Stab | {{QCB}} {{slash}} | Keel charges forward while holding his daggers out.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Ice Slide | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Keel slides forward along the ground with a kick that knocks his opponent over on impact.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Freezing Bolt | {{DPF}} {{slash}} | Keel conjures a ball of cold air, which sends his opponent flying back on impact.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Dematerialization | {{right}} {{downright}} {{down}} {{kick}} | Keel sinks into the ground, reappearing somewhere else. He teleports to the middle of the screen with {{LK}}, in front of his opponent with {{MK}}, or behind his opponent with {{HK}}.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Insanity Winds | {{QCB}} {{QCB}} {{slash}} | Keel thrusts a large ice dagger forward. If he hits his opponent, he sinks into the ground, reappears as a giant ice sculpture, and breathes a flurry of ice shards at his opponent.}}
+}}
 }}
 {{InfoRow
-| title=Jamm
+| title=Doc
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Jamm.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Doc.png
-| desc= The northeastern part of the continent is a collection of small provinces that until recently battled one another. A baby girl, born in this region, was left behind when the villagers fled as enemy troops approached her hamlet. The wilderness spirit Degaas found this baby girl and named her Jamm.<br>The spirit found shelter for Jamm and asked the beasts of the lands to welcome her as one of their own. Though still young and naive, Jamm has learned to survive in the wilderness, even to defend herself when necessary. She has learned a number of fighting styles from the animals, and hopes to keep what's left of the provinces for them.
+| desc=Doc is a healer from the island of Miribar. He abandoned his studies to seek the Golden Axe.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Dashing Strike | {{HCF}} {{HS}} | Doc dashes forward with a horizontal sword swipe.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Scalpel Slash | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{up}}+{{slash}} | Doc jumps high into the air while swinging his sword up.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Roundhouse | {{HCB}} {{slash}} | Doc hops forward while spinning, followed by a downward sword slash. Doc is invulnerable during the hop. If the player continues to hold {{slash}} through the move, Doc follows up with a glowing palm strike.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Roundhouse Feint | {{HCB}} {{kick}} | Doc hops forward while spinning, but he does not perform a sword slash. Doc is invulnerable during the hop.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Triple Kick | {{DPF}} {{kick}} | Doc kicks three times in one rising motion.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Head Shock | {{DPF}} {{slash}} (close) | Doc grabs then jabs his opponent with the hilt of his sword, which glows with energy.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Command normals |
+{{MoveListRow | Surprise Jump | {{right}}+{{kick}} in midair when near the edge of the screen | Doc jumps off the side of the screen, high into the air.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Sliding Knee | {{left}}+{{kick}} in midair when near the edge of the screen | Doc drops diagonally off the side of the screen with a knee strike, sliding on the ground after landing.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Shock Wave | {{HCB}} {{right}} {{slash}} | Doc shoots a projectile forward. If he hits his opponent, he stabs his sword into the ground, unleashing an eruption of energy from the ground under his opponent.}}
 }}
-{{InfoRow
-| title=Panchos
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Panchos.png
-| desc= When the people of the volcano province of Blo think of a guy with a good sense of humor, they think of Panchos. When they think of a guy able to learn anything, they think of Panchos. But when Panchos headed out of town last week dressed in bright armor and loaded with large metal bombs, nobody knew what to think.<br>Panchos' father, an inventor, taught him from a young age the skills of his trade. But Panchos wasn't satisfied with his life, and longed for adventure. When he heard that the axe had resurfaced, he headed off. Finally, life seemed to be getting exciting.
 }}
 {{InfoRow
 | title=Green
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Green.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Green.png
-| desc= Deep in the continent's forest lived a race of giants with awesome strength. This half-human, half-plant race was attacked by Death Adder's army and all but one were killed. The lone survivor is Green, who predicted the return of Death Adder and has been preparing for it for many years.<br>When Green heard of the Golden Axe tale, he knew the chance to meet Death Adder face-to-face was near. Green has not forgotten the lovely Maria, who helped him escape Death Adder's clutches. Sadly, Maria disappeared after freeing Green, though he has heard she is still alive. This half-human giant hopes to defeat Death Adder in the coming battles, and through victory have his name spread far. Perhaps Maria can then find him once again...
+| desc=Green is a half-human, half-plant giant from deep in the continent's forests. He is the last of his kind, after the rest of his kind were exterminated by Death Adder. He escaped Death Adder's clutches with the help of a woman named Maria. He seeks the Golden Axe so he can face Death Adder and find Maria.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Back Breaker | D-Pad in a 360° rotation, then {{kick}} (close) | Green lifts his opponent high into the air, then slams his opponent's back into his knee upon landing.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Attack Feint | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{kick}} | Green dashes forward but does not attack. This move can be followed up by the Giant's Hook with {{down}} {{up}}+{{slash}}, where he bashes his opponent into the air with his fist.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Windmill | Hold all three {{slash}} or {{kick}} for 3 seconds, then release | Green rolls his arms around like a windmill while walking forward. He attacks more times if the buttons are held for longer (up to 8 seconds for 5 strikes). If the player has five potions, holding all three {{slash}} or {{kick}} simultaneously ordinarily powers up the Magic gauge, but this move can be charged instead if the buttons are pressed in the middle of an attack or jump.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Mammoth Slam | {{right}} {{downright}} {{down}} {{HS}} while jumping diagonally | Green holds his hand out, which slams his opponent against the ground if it connects.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Raging Forest | D-Pad in a 360° rotation, then all three {{slash}} simultaneously (close) | Green wraps his opponent in vines, then performs a Back Breaker. The opponent bounces back into the air, then lands on Green's spiked arms.}}
+}}
 }}
 {{InfoRow
-| title=Death Adder
+| title=Panchos
-| image=GoldenAxeDuel_Saturn_JP_SP_Dethadder.png
+| image=GoldenAxeDuel Saturn JP SP Panchos.png
-| desc= To this day, little is known about Death Adder. He was believed dead after battle with Gillius Thunderhead, yet rose again to stalk the land. Twice since then he has "died" only to return again from the other side. It is widely believed now that he is not a man, but an evil spirit.<br>Rumors that he will fight for the axe are causing panic throughout the lands. Should Death Adder gain the Golden Axe, the continent will face an age of horror and despair.
+| desc=Panchos is an explosives expert from the volcanic province of Blo. His father was an inventor who taught him all about bombs. He seeks the Golden Axe for the sake of adventure.
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Mini Bomb | {{QCF}} {{slash}} | Panchos tosses a bomb in an arc in front of him, which explodes and knocks over his opponent on impact.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Mega Bomb | {{QCF}}, then hold and release {{kick}} | Panchos tosses a bomb in an arc in front of him. The bomb does not explode until shortly after the player releases the {{kick}} button.}}
+{{MoveListRow | Dyna Might | {{HCB}} {{kick}} | Panchos jumps into the air with a rising knee strike, followed by a diving knee strike, while glowing with burning energy that knocks his opponent over on impact.}}
+}}
+{{MoveListTable | desc=Super moves |
+{{MoveListRow | Blast Wave | {{HCF}} {{upright}} {{slash}} (close) | Panchos jumps into the air with a rising knee strike, then performs cannonball rolling attack on his opponent that leave behind detonating duplicates of himself.}}
+}}
+}}
 }}
+====Unplayable====
+{{InfoTable|imagewidths=150|
 {{InfoRow
 | title=Golden Axe
-| image=Notavailable.svg
+| sprite={{sprite|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Sprites, Golden Axe.png}}
-| desc= The final boss. A physical manifestation of the Golden Axe itself.
+| desc=A physical manifestation of the Golden Axe itself. He is the final boss of the game.
 }}
 }}
-===Modes===
+===Stages===
-*'''Game Start:'''
+Every character has his or her own stage where matches are hosted, except for Jamm, who fights in her opponent's stage (or Wenpa Harbor when facing herself). Jamm's pet bear, Corgon, appears in the background of any stage when she is fighting.
-:The other fighters are lining up to take you on. Battle them one at a time in your bid to reach the final fight and claim the Golden Axe!
+{{gallery|widths=200|screens=yes|
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Kain Blade.png|Draconian Village|Stage of Kain Blade.}}
-*'''Vs Start:'''
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Milan Flare.png|Windwood Castle|Stage of Milan Flare.}}
-:Friend, or foe? It's you against the most lethal of enemies: another human player. Don't expect any mercy from your friend in this one-match-takes-all mode.
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Gillius Rockhead.png|Guillegun's Cave|Stage of Gillius Rockhead.}}
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Zoma.png|Dark Island|Stage of Zoma.}}
-*'''Option:'''
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Death Adder.png|Death Palace|Stage of Death Adder.}}
-:Change features of the game on the Option Mode Screen.
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Keel.png|Crystal Haven|Stage of Keel.}}
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Doc.png|Wenpa Harbor|Stage of Doc.}}
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Green.png|Urupagu Forest|Stage of Green.}}
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Panchos.png|Iron Lab|Stage of Panchos.}}
+{{ginfo|Golden Axe The Duel Saturn, Stages, Golden Axe.png|Death Palace|Stage of Golden Axe.}}
+}}
 ==Versions==
-*The music was slightly remixed for the Saturn release
+The Saturn version is missing some frames of animation and has slightly remixed music. The English text for the endings has been rewritten.
-*Some animation frames are missing from the Saturn version
 ==Production credits==
-===Sega Titan Video version===
+{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Production credits}}
-{{multicol|
-{{creditstable|
-*'''Programmer:''' A.Toshikawa, [[Hitoshi Shimokawa|H.Shimokawa]], [[Tomoaki Takayanagi|T.Takayanagi]], K.Kataoka
-*'''Graphic Designer:''' S.Makino, Y.Endo, [[Yoshiaki Aoki|Y.Aoki]], [[Yasutada Kawata|Y.Kawata]], [[Tomiko Kusunoki|T.Kusunoki]], [[Naoko Takahashi|N.Takahashi]], [[Sachiko Amano|S.Amano]], [[Takahiro Kudo|T.Kudo]], [[Yuko Isoda|Y.Isoda]], T.Akai
-*'''Composer:''' [[Kazuhiko Nagai|K.Nagai]]
-*'''Voice:''' H.Kawatsu, H.Kiuchi, Y.Nezu
-*'''Game Planner:''' [[Kenichi Imaeda|K.Imaeda]], [[Motoshi Takabe|M.Takabe]]
-*'''Special Thanks:''' [[Koji Ooto|K.Ohto]]
-| source=In-game credits{{ref| 1=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGRA_z29SlQ}}
-| console=STV
-}}
-}}
-===Saturn version===
-{{multicol|
-{{creditstable|
-*'''Programmer:''' A.Toshikawa, [[Hitoshi Shimokawa|H.Shimokawa]], [[Tomoaki Takayanagi|T.Takayanagi]], K.Kataoka
-*'''Graphic Designer:''' S.Makino, Y.Endo, [[Yoshiaki Aoki|Y.Aoki]], [[Yasutada Kawata|Y.Kawata]], [[Tomiko Kusunoki|T.Kusunoki]], [[Naoko Takahashi|N.Takahashi]], [[Sachiko Amano|S.Amano]], [[Takahiro Kudo|T.Kudo]], [[Yuko Isoda|Y.Isoda]], T.Akai
-*'''Composer:''' [[Kazuhiko Nagai|K.Nagai]]
-*'''Voice:''' H.Kawatsu, H.Kiuchi, Y.Nezu, T.Kida
-*'''Game Planner:''' [[Kenichi Imaeda|K.Imaeda]], [[Motoshi Takabe|M.Takabe]]
-*'''Special Thanks:''' [[Koji Ooto|K.Ohto]]
-*'''Consumer Team:''' [[Tomoaki Takayanagi|T.Takayanagi]], [[Kenichi Imaeda|K.Imaeda]], [[Motoshi Takabe|M.Takabe]], [[Makito Nomiya|M.Nomiya]]
-| source=In-game credits
-| pdf=GoldenAD_Saturn_JP_SSEnding.pdf
-| console=SAT
-}}
-{{creditstable|
-*'''Producer:''' [[Erik Wahlberg]]
-*'''Product Manager:''' [[Seth Gerson]]
-*'''Lead Tester:''' [[Marc Dawson]]
-*'''Assistant Lead Testers:''' Kenneth Chan, Alex Berriero, George Kemmerex, Jeremy Caine
-*'''Manual:''' [[Marc Sherrod]]
-*'''Packaging Design:''' Three 8 Design Group
-*'''Packaging Art Director:''' [[Eric Smith]]
-*'''Product Specialist:''' [[Clint Dyer]]
-| source=US manual
-| console=SAT
-| pdf=Goldenaxetheduel sat us manual.pdf
-| pdfpage=21
-}}
-}}
 ==Magazine articles==
@@ Line 172: / Line 277: @@
 {{gallery
 |{{gitem|GAtD Arcade JP Flyer.jpg|ST-V JP flyer}}
-|{{galleryPrintAd|SSM_JP_19951001_1995-10.pdf|ssmjp|10|4-5}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd|ssmjp|1995-10|4-5}}
 }}
 ==Physical scans==
 ===Sega Titan Video version===
+{{ratings|STV}}
 {{ScanArcade
 | type=upright
 | console=Sega Titan Video
 | region=JP
+| instructionslong=Notavailable.svg
+| instructionslong2=Notavailable.svg
+| instructioncard1=Notavailable.svg
+| instructioncard2=Notavailable.svg
+| cart=GoldenAxeTheDuel STV JP Cart.jpg
 }}
 ===Saturn version===
-{{ratings
+{{ratings|SAT}}
-| icon=SAT
-| cdconsoles=52
-| cdconsoles_source={{magref|cdconsoles|11|132|printpage=132-133}}
-| consolesnews=88
-| consolesnews_source={{magref|consolesnews|2|92}}
-| consolesplus=89
-| consolesplus_source={{magref|consolesplus|48|100|printpage=100-101}}
-| cvg=82
-| cvg_source={{magref|cvg|169|56|printpage=56-57}}
-<!--| gamesmastertv=80-->
-<!--| gamesmastertv_source={{num|89}}-->
-| maniac=67
-| maximum=60
-| maximum_source={{magref|maximum|2|146}}
-| mms=85
-| mms_source={{magref|mms|39|71|printpage=70-72}}
-| mms_1=84
-| mms_source_1={{magref|mms|40|91}}
-| nextlevel=70
-| playerone=82
-| playerone_source={{num|64|page=112}}
-| segapower=70
-| segapower_source={{num|74|page=59}}
-| segapro=84
-| segapro_source={{num|52|page=42-43}}
-| ssm=85
-| ssm_source={{magref|ssm|2|80|printpage=80/81}}
-| ssmjp=70
-| ssmjp_source={{magref|ssmjp|1995-10|177|printpage=175}}
-| ssmjp_r=70
-| ssmjp_r_source={{magref|ssmjp_r|final|15|printpage=13}}
-| ultimageneracion=72
-| ultimageneracion_source={{magref|ultimageneracion|9|95|printpage=94/95}}
-}}
 {{Scanbox
+| console=Saturn
+| region=JP
+| front=GAtD Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
+| back=GAtD Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
+| square=yes
+| spinecard=GoldenAxeTheDuel Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
+| disc=GAtD Saturn JP Disc.jpg
+}}{{Scanbox
 | console=Saturn
 | region=US
@@ Line 229: / Line 314: @@
 | console=Saturn
 | region=EU
+| cover=GATD Sat EU cover.jpg
+| disc=
+}}{{Scanbox
+| console=Saturn
+| region=DE
 | cover=GoldenAxeTheDuel Saturn EU Box.jpg
 | disc=
 }}{{Scanbox
 | console=Saturn
-| region=JP
+| region=PT
-| front=GAtD Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
+| front=GoldenAxeTheDuel Saturn PT cover.jpg
-| back=GAtD Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
+| back=GoldenAxeTheDuel Saturn PT back.jpg
-| square=yes
+| spinemissing=yes
-| spinecard=GoldenAxeTheDuel Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
+| disc=
-| disc=GAtD Saturn JP Disc.jpg
+}}{{Scanbox
+| console=Saturn
+| region=AU
+| cover=
+| disc=
 }}{{Scanbox
 | console=Saturn
@@ Line 246: / Line 340: @@
 ==Technical information==
-===ROM dump status===
+{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
-{{romtable|
-{{rom|SAT|sha1= |md5= |crc32= |size=545,791,008|date= |source=CD-ROM (EU)|comments=MK81045-50 V1.000|quality=good|prototype=}}
-{{rom|SAT|sha1= |md5= |crc32= |size=545,781,600|date=1995-07-14|source=CD-ROM (JP)|comments=GS-9041 V1.000|quality=good|prototype=}}
-}}
-===Track list===
-{{multicol|
-{{tracklist|
-{{track|[data track]}}
-{{track|Title|time=01:07}}
-{{track|Character Selection|time=00:40}}
-{{track|Kain Blade|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Keel|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Milan Flare|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Zoma|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Panchos|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Doc|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Jamm|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Gillius Rockhead|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Green|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Death Adder|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Golden Axe|time=03:12}}
-{{track|Ending 1|time=01:09}}
-{{track|Ending 2|time=01:06}}
-{{track|Ending 3|time=01:34}}
-{{track|VS Screen|time=00:06}}
-{{track|Intrusion|time=00:06}}
-{{track|Win|time=00:07}}
-{{track|Name Entry|time=00:38}}
-{{track|Game Over|time=00:08}}
-{{track|Continue|time=00:36}}
-{{track|Staff Roll|time=03:49}}
-{{track|Unknown (Zoma Arrange)|time=03:08}}
-}}
-}}
 ==External links==
-*Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese): [https://web.archive.org/web/19970129031807/http://sega.highway.or.jp:80/sega/saturn/action/gld_duel/gs_9041.html Sega Saturn]
+* Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese): [https://web.archive.org/web/19970129031807/http://sega.highway.or.jp:80/sega/saturn/action/gld_duel/gs_9041.html Saturn]
 ==References==