Golden Axe II

From Sega Retro

n/a

GoldenAxe2 Title.png

Golden Axe II
GoldenAxe2 iOS icon.png
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, iOS, Steam
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800
iOS
JP ▼
iOS
US ▼ 		$2.992.99
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Golden Axe II (ゴールデンアックスII) is a 1991 beat-em-up and the direct sequel to the critically acclaimed Golden Axe. Unlike that game, Golden Axe II is a Sega Mega Drive exclusive, though it has since been re-released as part of numerous Mega Drive compilations. The game features Ax-Battler, Tyris-Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead once again, as they face the new foe "Dark Guld".

It is extremely similar to the previous game, with various changes. For this reason, Golden Axe II has received mixed reviews from critics; many claim the game is merely a re-hash of the previous entry in the series, and that very little is added to the core gameplay. Though some have praised the graphics and music, others have criticised the game's sound effects which are said to detract from the atmosphere of the game. Presumably, many of these concerns were addressed in the next sequel, Golden Axe III.

Emulated versions of the game were released for the Wii Virtual Console, Steam and iOS. The iOS version was removed from sale on iTunes in 2015. [2]

Gameplay

B is used for attacking and C for jumping, just like in the prequel. Pushing B+C together is now used to perform an all-around-attack rather than a backwards focused attack. Double tapping a direction makes the character run, pushing B while running results in a charge attack. A is used to cast magic. This consumes magic books (replacing potions from the prequel) which have to be collected first. Magic books are dropped by wizards. The strength of the magic attack is determined by the time the A button is held down, but this can be changed in the options screen. Various game balance related changes have been made. Enemies could be trapped in endless charge attacks loops in the prequel. This is not possible anymore as two consecutive charge attacks trigger a short invincibility window. The previously exploitable jumping attacks have also been tone down in strength, certain enemy types such as lizardmen and claw weilding enemies can also effectively defend against these attacks.

When playing on the lowest difficulty setting, the game ends prematurely. The final boss can only be faced when playing on normal or above. The highest difficulty setting adds new enemies to increase challenge.

At the end of the game, score and a rank is awarded based on the number of enemies defeated and lives lost.

The Duel mode from Golden Axe makes a return. Predetermined enemies have to be defeated in an arena.

Version differences

All versions are identical. The ROM contains no region specific data and can be played on any system

Trivia

  • This game behaves strangely when played with the 6 button controller: Movements are mapped to X,Y,Z and  MODE . Holding down  MODE  while the game is starting removes this problem

Production Credits

Planner: Fuzzy
Character Design: Hiro.K, Rew
Background Design: Toyo.Ozaki, Sant
Programmer: Takubon, K.Koba
Sound Effect: Hatabaw
Messages: Marsh, Kakuka
Checkers: Kyamura, Mu, Dehehe, Ax, Taka O, Sunset
Special Thanks: U, Gas Ges Gos
Presented by: Sega

Artwork

  • GoldenAxe2 Artwork.jpg

Promotional Material

  • GoldenAxeII MD US PrintAdvert.jpg

    US print advert

  • JP TV advert

  • GoldenAxeII MD ES PrintAdvert.jpg

    ES print advert

Digital manuals

  • Steam manual

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
78 №54, p67[3]
78 №121, p48/49/50
80 №37
90
78
82 №22, p160/161
65 №3, p79
92 №9, p20
90 №1, p64
69 №15, p142-144[4]
86 №16, p56/57
74
81 №27, p28/29
76 №4, p51/52[5]
78 №13, p22/23
75 №18, p65
84 №2, p68/69[6]
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
17 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[7]
ACE (UK) NTSC
78
[3]
Ação Games (BR)
75
[8]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
68
[9]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
73
[10]
Console XS (UK) PAL
75
[11]
Cool Gamer (RU)
50
[12]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
78
[13]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
73
[14]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[15]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 9 (RU)
80
[16]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
61
[17]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[18]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[19]
Gamers (DE)
67
[20]
Games-X (UK)
80
[21]
Génération 4 (FR)
86
[22]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[23]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[24]
Joypad (FR)
78
[25]
Joystick (FR)
82
[26]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
65
[27]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
65
[28]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
77
[29]
Mega (UK) PAL
92
[30]
Mega (UK) PAL
62
[31]
Mega Action (UK)
90
[32]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
80
[33]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
58
[34]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
70
[35]
Mean Machines (UK)
69
[4]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
69
[36]
Player One (FR)
86
[37]
Play Time (DE)
93
[38]
Power Play (DE)
74
[39]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
81
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
76
[41]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
78
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
75
[43]
Sega Force Mega (UK)
88
[44]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
84
[45]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
70
[46]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
72
[47]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
55
[48]
User (GR) PAL
87
[49]
Video Games (DE)
74
[50]
Sega Mega Drive
 74
Based on
46 reviews

Golden Axe II

Mega Drive, US
GoldenAxe2 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Goldenaxeii md us cart.jpg
Cart
Goldenaxe2 md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
GoldenAxe2 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
GoldenAxeII MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
GoldenAxe2 MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
GoldenAxeII MD JP CartTop.jpg
GoldenAxe2 MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Goldenaxe2 md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, AU (Sega Gold Collection)
GoldenAxe2 MD AU Box Gold.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Goldenaxeii md br cover.jpg
Cover
Goldenaxeii md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR
GoldenAxe2 MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
GoldenAxeII MD KR cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)
GoldenAxeII MD SE Box Rental.jpg
Cover

Mega Play Version

Mega Play,
GoldenAxeII MegaPlay Box.jpg
Cover

External Links



Gilius Thunder Head punching sprite Golden Axe series of games
Arcade
 Golden Axe (1989) | Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder (1992) | Golden Axe: The Duel (1994) | Golden Axe (slot machine) (2010)
Sega Mega Drive
 Golden Axe (1989) | Golden Axe II (1991) | Golden Axe III (1993)
Sega Master System
 Golden Axe (1989) | Golden Axe Warrior (1991)
Windows PC
 Golden Axe (1990)
LCD handheld game
 Electronic Golden Axe (1990)
Sega Game Gear
 Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe (1991)
Sega Saturn
 Golden Axe: The Duel (1995)
Sony PlayStation 2
 Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe (2003)
Xbox 360
Sony PlayStation 3
 Golden Axe: Beast Rider (2008)
iOS
Google Android OS
 Golden Axe (2009) | Golden Axe (2017)
Xbox Live Arcade
 Sega Vintage Collection: Golden Axe (2012)
Steam
 Golden Axed: A Cancelled Prototype (2020)
Golden Axe related media
Music
 Golden Axe I & II (2016)
Book
 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)
  1. ↑ http://www.4gamer.net/games/049/G004989/20110422074/
  2. ↑ http://www.polygon.com/2015/5/18/8622645/sega-pulls-games-from-itunes-app-store-google-play
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:ACE UK 54.pdf, page 67 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 54.pdf_p67" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:MeanMachines UK 15.pdf, page 144 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 15.pdf_p144" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ File:Segapro_UK_04.pdf, page 51
  6. ↑ File:SegaForce02UK.pdf, page 68
  7. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 90
  8. ↑ Ação Games, "Fevereiro 1992" (BR; 1992-02-xx), page 30
  9. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1992" (DE; 1992-02-14), page 115
  10. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-07), page 82
  11. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 130
  12. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 93
  13. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-15), page 48
  14. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  15. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 319
  16. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 9, "" (RU; 2002-xx-xx), page 132
  17. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 53
  18. ↑ Famitsu, "1992-01-03" (JP; 1991-12-20), page 43
  19. ↑ GamePro, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 56
  20. ↑ Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
  21. ↑ Games-X, "9th-15th January 1992" (UK; 1992-01-09), page 26
  22. ↑ Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 134
  23. ↑ Hippon Super, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-04), page 90
  24. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 46
  25. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 78
  26. ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 160
  27. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 79
  28. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  29. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "March 1992" (JP; 1992-02-08), page 83
  30. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 20
  31. ↑ Mega, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-17), page 34
  32. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 64
  33. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 88
  34. ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  35. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 36
  36. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  37. ↑ Player One, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 56
  38. ↑ Play Time, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-05), page 86
  39. ↑ Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 132
  40. ↑ Sega Power, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-02), page 28
  41. ↑ Sega Pro, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-16), page 52
  42. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 22
  43. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  44. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 89
  45. ↑ Sega Force, "Februrary 1992" (UK; 1992-01-23), page 68
  46. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 61
  47. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  48. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 16
  49. ↑ User, "Máios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 84
  50. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 31
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