Play Golden Axe Online

Golden Axe came out for the Sega Genesis in 1989, developed and published by Sega. It was one of those games that felt right at home on the system, a side scrolling fantasy brawler that you could play with a friend on the same couch. During a time when the Genesis was establishing its library, this was a solid, straightforward action title.

You pick from one of three characters: a barbarian with a broadsword, an amazon with a long blade, or a dwarf who swings a heavy axe. Your goal is to fight through screen after screen of soldiers and monsters to defeat the evil Death Adder and rescue the king and his daughter. The combat is simple but satisfying; you have a basic attack and a jump, but you can also perform a running charge or a special magical attack that uses collected potions. Little gnome like creatures run across the screen, and if you kick them, they drop magic jars. The game moves at a brisk pace, and the difficulty ramps up noticeably, especially when you get surrounded. It feels immediate and physical, a game where you can almost feel the weight of each sword swing.