Difference between revisions of "Golden Axe"

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Revision as of 14:29, 18 September 2012

n/a

GoldenAxe Title.png

Golden Axe
GoldenAxe iOS icon.png
System(s): Sega System 16, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, iPhone, J2ME/BREW, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Network, Tapwave Zodiac, PC Engine CD-ROM², Virtual Console, WonderSwan Color, Xbox Live Arcade, ZX Spectrum, Steam
Publisher: Sega,
Amiga
Atari ST
Amstrad CPC
Commodore 64
IBM PC compatibles
ZX Spectrum
Virgin Games, Template:PCECD Telenet Japan
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Bandai WonderSwan
JP		 2001 ¥? ?
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Golden Axe (ゴールデンアックス) is a beat-'em-up developed by Sega and released in 1989 for Sega System 16 arcade hardware. The development team was headded by Makoto Uchida, who also led the team behind Altered Beast.

The game was the first in the long-running Golden Axe series. It is said to be heavily inspired by the Conan the Barbarian films, and that the game took roughly one year to make.

Story

The game place takes in the fictional land of Yuria, in which an evil entity known as Death Adder has kidnapped Yuria's King and his daughter, holding them captive in his castle. Perhaps more importantly, Death Adder has stolen the "Golden Axe", a magical emblem of Yuria, and is threatening to destroy it if the people of the land do not accept him as their ruler.

It is up to a band of three heroes to venture to Death Adder's castle and stop him, rescuing the captives, avenge their losses and save the land:

Ax Battler, a male barbarian fighting to avenge the murder of his mother. Despite his name he uses a two handed broadsword and carries earth magic. Ax Battler is one of the constants of the series, appearing in most Golden Axe games (including Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe, a game based entirely around him).

Tyris Flare, an amazonian woman whose parents were killed by Death Adder. She also uses a sword but carries fire magic.

Gilius Thunderhead, a dwarf whose brother was murdered by Death Adder. Gilius is the only character to actually carry an axe, as well as thunder magic.

Gameplay

Golden Axe supports a maximum of two players. Any character can be selected but both players cannot play as the same character.

The Golden Axe arcade cabinet assigns one button for attacking, another for jumping and a final button for using magic. Using magic will cause all of the enemies on screen to be damaged and effectively acts as crowd control. Each player carries a limited supply of magic (indicated by a meter at the top of the screen) and will use it all at once when the magic button is pressed. More magic can be collected by attacking the short thieves clothed in blue who appear at certain points throughout the game. Green thieves carry life energy, also represented in the HUD.

Golden Axe is also notable for its ability to allow players to ride "beasts", often giving them an offensive advantage at the expense of speed.

Similar to Altered Beast, the ending is less serious and has characters from the game breaking out of the arcade machine and causing havoc in the real world. Most ports replace this ending.

Sequels and Re-releases

Golden Axe has been ported to a number of systems over the years, though many cuts were made in the process.

The game has enjoyed many years of success on the Sega Mega Drive, and was used in the early days of the console to advertise the system's power over its then-main rival, the Nintendo Entertainment System. Some levels were shortened, but an extra level was added which includes another boss, "Doom Bringer". Also in this version is a "duel" mode, which allows players to fight a succession of enemies one-on-one.

The Mega Drive version of the game has been included in numerous compilations, such as 6-Pak, Mega Games 2, Mega Games 6 and Mega Games 10. The game has also been emulated and sold in the form of Sega Smash Pack Volume 1, Sega Smash Pack, Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection, Sega Archives from USA Vol. 1 and Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection Volume 1, as well as services such as PlaySega and built-in to numerous consoles by AtGames.

This version was so popular that it got direct sequels in the form of Golden Axe II and Golden Axe III. In the arcades, the "true" sequel is Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder. A Sega Mega-Tech version also exists, which is based on the Mega Drive version, as is the version released for the Wii's Virtual Console service.

The Mega Drive Golden Axe was enhanced for the Sega Mega CD and delivered as part of Sega Classics Arcade Collection. This version is single-player only, though offers numerous improvements in terms of audio and some graphical tweaks.

The Sega Master System version is also one-player only, forcing you to play as Ax Battler (named "Tarik"). Similar is the PC Engine CD-ROM² port, which takes a big hit in terms of aesthetics and is only single-player. Home computer ports were handled by Virgin Games and are considered to be respectible versions of the game. The Commodore 64 port was initially released with the final level missing. Copies of this version were recalled by Virgin and replaced with a fixed version. It was also ported to the WonderSwan Color and as part of Sega Smash Pack for the Game Boy Advance.

Golden Axe was also remade as part of Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe, and has been brought to Xbox Live Arcade, the PlayStation Network and is available for iOS and other mobile devices.

Production Credits

Mega Drive Version

Software Design: Takosuke, Moto CBX1000, Ham Tak, Waka
Visual Effects: Kyonsy Kyonsy, Cane, Chisuke, Roco
Sound: Nankyoku, Decky, Imocky
Assistant Programmer: S2, Yang Watt, Vinyl Boy
Producer: Kan
Director: Bros 400
Assistant Director: Opa‑Opa
English Messages: Niya, Tsugu
Arcade Game Design: Team Shinobi
Presented by: Sega

Commodore 64 Version

Music: Joreon Tel
Sound Effects: Charles Deenen
Produced by Probe Software Ltd. 1990
Graphics, design and programming: Visual F.X. - Steve Crow, Mark Kelly
Copyright 1989, 1990 Sega Enterprises Ltd, Virgin Games Ltd, Probe Software Ltd

Manuals

Mega Drive Version

Physical Scans

System 16 Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №93
Arcade
 80
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Golden Axe

Template:ScanflyerTemplate:ScanflyerTemplate:Scanflyer

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
75
95 №101
92
90
94 №1
91
90
93
76
Sega Mega Drive
 88
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[1]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
73
[2]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
68
[3]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
96
[4]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
94
[5]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
94
[6]
Console XS (UK) PAL
73
[7]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[8]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
95
[9]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
73
[10]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[11]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 3 (RU)
70
[12]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
80
[13]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
78
[14]
The Games Machine (UK)
92
[15]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[16]
Joystick (FR)
91
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
86
[18]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
86
[19]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
82
[20]
Mega Action (UK)
85
[21]
MegaTech (UK)
94
[22]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
90
[23]
Mean Machines (UK)
91
[24]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
94
[25]
Player One (FR)
93
[26]
Power Play (DE)
76
[27]
Raze (UK) PAL
92
[28]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
82
[29]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[30]
Sega Pro (UK)
91
[31]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
72
[32]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
66
[33]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
77
[34]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
57
[35]
Zero (UK)
94
[36]
Sega Mega Drive
 81
Based on
36 reviews

Golden Axe

Mega Drive, US
GoldenAxe md us cover.jpg
Cover
GoldenAxe md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, US (Sega Classic)
Goldenaxe md us classic cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, EU
GoldenAxe md eu cover.jpg
Cover
GoldenAxe-PAL-cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
GoldenAxe md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Goldenaxe md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR
GoldenAxe MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, KR

GoldenAxe MD KR cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, CA

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №33
89 №100
80 №32
80 №2/25
85
80
85 №6
Sega Master System
 84
Based on
7 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK) PAL
89
[37]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
70
[38]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
92
[39]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
92
[40]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
92
[41]
Console XS (UK) PAL
80
[42]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
89
[43]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[44]
Game Mania (UK)
92
[45]
The Games Machine (UK)
80
[46]
Joystick (FR)
90
[47]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[48]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
92
[49]
Player One (FR)
85
[50]
Power Play (DE)
41
[51]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
88
[52]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[53]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[54]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
76
[55]
Sega Pro (UK)
81
[56]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
74
[57]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[58]
Software Gids (NL)
88
[59]
Zero (UK)
85
[60]
Sega Master System
 82
Based on
24 reviews

Golden Axe

Master System, US
Golden Axe SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
Golden Axe SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
Golden Axe SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover

Amiga Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №111
Amiga
 89
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amiga
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Golden Axe

Amiga, EU
GoldenAxe Amiga EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Amiga, EU (Tronix)

Amstrad CPC Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
69 №111
Amstrad CPC
 69
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amstrad CPC
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Golden Axe

Amstrad CPC, EU (Disk)

Amstrad CPC, EU
(Cassette) (Tronix)
GoldenAxe CPC EU Box Cassette Tronix.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES
(Cassette) (MCM)

Amstrad CPC, ES
(Disk) (MCM)

Atari ST Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 №110
Atari ST
 91
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Atari ST
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Golden Axe

Atari ST, EU

Atari ST, EU (Tronix)

Commodore 64 Version

Commodore 64, US
GoldenAxe C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, EU
Golden Axe C64 EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngGolden Axe C64 EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Golden Axe C64 EU Cassette.jpg
Cassette
Commodore 64, EU (Tronix)
GoldenAxe C64 EU Box Tronix.jpg
Cover

DOS Version

DOS, US
GoldenAxe DOS US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngGoldenAxe DOS US Box Front.jpg
Cover

PC Engine CD-ROM² Version

PC Engine CD-ROM², JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x80px320x80px
Cover

WonderSwan Color Version

WonderSwan Color, JP
GoldenAxe WSC JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

ZX Spectrum Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
65 №111
ZX Spectrum
 65
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ZX Spectrum
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Golden Axe

ZX Spectrum, EU

ZX Spectrum, EU (Tronix)
GoldenAxe Spectrum EU Box Tronix.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES (MCM)

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. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 89
  2. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1990" (DE; 1990-0x-xx), page 77
  3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1990" (JP; 1990-01-08), page 70
  4. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume Two" (UK; 1990-04-xx), page 100
  5. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 30
  6. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 47
  7. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 130
  8. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 92
  9. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-03-16), page 98
  10. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 22
  11. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 319
  12. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 3, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 80
  13. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 52
  14. ↑ Famitsu, "1990-01-05,19" (JP; 19xx-xx-xx), page 20
  15. ↑ The Games Machine, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-08), page 30
  16. ↑ Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 181
  17. ↑ Joystick, "Mai 1990" (FR; 1990-04-xx), page 58
  18. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 78
  19. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  20. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "December 1990" (JP; 1990-11-08), page 79
  21. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 64
  22. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 78
  23. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1990" (ES; 1990-1x-xx), page 60
  24. ↑ Mean Machines, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 42
  25. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  26. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 38
  27. ↑ Power Play, "4/90" (DE; 1990-03-16), page 120
  28. ↑ Raze, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-11-29), page 62
  29. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-01), page 20
  30. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  31. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 41
  32. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  33. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 59
  34. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  35. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 16
  36. ↑ Zero, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-0x-xx), page 74
  37. ↑ ACE, "June 1990" (UK; 1990-05-xx), page 63
  38. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1990" (DE; 1990-03-30), page 56
  39. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume Two" (UK; 1990-04-xx), page 28
  40. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 98
  41. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 57
  42. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 141
  43. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-16), page 90
  44. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 16
  45. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  46. ↑ The Games Machine, "July 1990" (UK; 1990-06-xx), page 51
  47. ↑ Joystick, "Avril 1990" (FR; 1990-03-20), page 40
  48. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 60
  49. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  50. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 46
  51. ↑ Power Play, "1/90" (DE; 1989-12-15), page 82
  52. ↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-01), page 6
  53. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-07), page 44
  54. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 57
  55. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-10-30), page 40
  56. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 19
  57. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 24
  58. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  59. ↑ Software Gids, "Sept./Okt. 1990" (NL; 1990-09-xx), page 38
  60. ↑ Zero, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-0x-xx), page 75
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