Golden Axe II is that classic Sega Genesis beat 'em up where you hack through skeletons, lizard men, and giant armored goons with swords, axes, or magic. The first thing you’ll notice is how weighty the combat feels—every swing connects with a satisfying crunch, and landing a full combo feels great. I always go for the dwarf because he hits like a truck, even if his magic is kinda weak.

It’s got that same fantasy vibe as the first game—riding weird creatures that breathe fire, chugging potions stolen from little gnome guys, and fighting bosses twice your size. The levels are short but packed with enemies, so you’re always swinging or dodging something. And yeah, the graphics are pure 16-bit nostalgia—chunky pixels, big spell effects, and those weirdly detailed backgrounds full of skulls and torches.

If you played the original, this one doesn’t reinvent much, but it’s still a solid sequel with the same chaotic couch co-op energy. Just don’t expect the AI to go easy on you—those skeleton knights love to gang up.