Play Athena (japan) Online

Athena came out for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, published by SNK. It was part of that wave of early NES games where developers were still figuring out what worked on the console, often adapting concepts from the arcade. You play as the title character, Athena, who is trying to escape from a fantasy world.

You control Athena through a series of side scrolling and platforming stages. Your main goal is to fight through monsters and navigate the environment to find your way out. You start with a basic sword, but you can find new weapons like a morning star, a bow, and even a magic wand that shoots fireballs. Armor and shields are scattered throughout the levels; putting them on changes your appearance and boosts your defense. The game is known for its high difficulty, with tricky jumps and enemies that respawn quickly. Exploring each screen feels unpredictable, as you never know what weapon or enemy you will encounter next. Playing Athena is a challenging scramble for better gear just to survive the next encounter.