Golden Axe III is that classic Sega Genesis beat 'em up where you hack through waves of enemies with swords, axes, and some seriously flashy magic. The first thing you’ll notice is the roster—four new characters, including a panther guy who moves way faster than the others (though I still default to the barbarian, old habits die hard).

It’s got that same side-scrolling chaos as the first two games, but with smoother animations and a few tweaks, like branching paths that actually change up the levels. The dragon summons are still ridiculous in the best way—nothing like roasting a dozen goblins at once when you’re in a tight spot. And yeah, the co-op is just as fun as you remember, even if your friend always hogs the magic potions.

It’s not the deepest game in the series, but if you’re craving that old-school arcade vibe with a bit more polish, this one’s a solid pick. Just don’t expect the final boss to go down easy.