Golden Axe screenshot

Release year: 1989

Golden Axe

Category: ActionArcadeBeat 'em UpCo-op MultiplayerFantasy

Play Golden Axe online - one of the most iconic side-scrolling beat 'em ups ever released for the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. Originally launched by SEGA in 1989, this legendary title takes place in the high-fantasy world of Yuria, where darkness has fallen under the rule of the evil Death Adder. After seizing control of the kingdom and capturing the royal family, he now threatens to destroy the land unless stopped.

You take on the role of one of three brave warriors, each with their own strengths and magical powers. Ax Battler is a broadsword-wielding barbarian with earth-based magic. Tyris Flare, the fierce Amazon, channels powerful fire spells. And Gilius Thunderhead, a battle-hardened dwarf, brings the thunder with his massive axe and lightning attacks. The unique magic system lets you collect blue potions and charge up devastating spells that can turn the tide of battle.

As you fight through villages, forests, enemy camps, and Death Adder's castle, you'll face hordes of enemies using fast-paced melee combat and area-clearing magic. You can even ride mythical beasts like fire-breathing dragons and tail-whipping lizards, adding variety and chaos to every fight. The cooperative two-player mode allows you to team up with a friend, making the journey even more thrilling with shared strategy and timing.

Play Golden Axe online today and relive the unforgettable adventure that helped define the beat 'em up genre on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. With its blend of action, fantasy, and co-op gameplay, it remains a fan favorite and a true classic of 16-bit gaming.

Start
Start / Pause in game
Joystick
Movement
A
Magic
B
Attack
C
Jump
Save / Restart / Load

🕹ī¸ Cheats and Secrets in Golden Axe

While Golden Axe is best known for its intense action and fantasy setting, the game also includes a few hidden tricks. If you're looking to get an edge or just explore the game more freely, here are two classic cheats that can help: adding extra credits and accessing the level select menu.

Note: You can use WASD instead of when playing on PC.

9 credits cheat activated on the character select screen in Golden Axe

9 Credits

This cheat works only on the arcade mode character select screen. Hold and , then press L+Space+Enter all at once. If done correctly, you'll start with 9 credits instead of the usual limit. Keep in mind - the game won't show any confirmation, so you'll have to test it by playing.

Level select screen showing stage number in Golden Axe on SEGA Genesis

Level Select

To activate the level select, first choose Arcade Mode. On the character selection screen, hold + and K, then press Enter. A small number will appear in the upper-left corner of the screen - this represents your starting level. Use the and to choose the level you want and jump straight into the action.

🧙 Characters Overview

In Golden Axe, you can choose from three distinct heroes, each with their own fighting style, magical abilities, and personality. Picking the right character can make a big difference in how you approach the game - whether you're playing solo or in co-op mode.

🗡ī¸ Ax Battler

  • Weapon: Broadsword
  • Magic Type: Earth
  • Strengths: Balanced stats - good power and range
  • Magic Power: Medium

Ax Battler is a well-rounded warrior, ideal for beginners. He wields a mighty broadsword and commands earth-based magic. His attacks are solid and reliable, and his spells can knock down multiple enemies at once. While his magic isn't the strongest, it's effective when fully charged.

đŸ”Ĩ Tyris Flare

  • Weapon: Long Sword
  • Magic Type: Fire
  • Strengths: Strongest magic in the game
  • Magic Power: High

Tyris is the Amazon warrior of the group. She moves quickly and has slightly weaker physical attacks, but her fire magic more than makes up for it. When her magic bar is full, she unleashes a powerful dragon attack that burns everything on screen. She's perfect for players who prefer spellcasting over brute force.

⚡ Gilius Thunderhead

  • Weapon: Battle Axe
  • Magic Type: Lightning
  • Strengths: Powerful melee attacks
  • Magic Power: Low

Gilius is a fierce dwarf with a giant axe and a bad attitude. He's slower but hits hard, making him ideal for players who like close-range combat. His lightning magic is flashy but limited, with a lower max spell level than the others. Still, his raw strength makes him a solid choice in any fight.

Tip: Each character has a different maximum number of magic bars (Tyris has the most, Gilius the fewest), so your playstyle will affect how often and how powerfully you can use spells.

🧩 Trivia & Fun Facts

Golden Axe isn't just a classic beat 'em up - it's a key piece of SEGA's 16-bit legacy, filled with fantasy tropes, arcade innovations, and memorable design choices that still stand out decades later. Here are some fun facts about the game:

🏹 Inspired by Conan the Barbarian

Golden Axe draws heavy inspiration from the Conan the Barbarian universe. The setting of Yuria, with its dark fantasy aesthetic, evil overlords, and muscular sword-wielding warriors, mirrors the style and tone of the Conan movies from the 1980s. Ax Battler, in particular, is a clear homage to Conan.

🕹ī¸ From Arcades to Genesis

The game was originally released as an arcade cabinet in 1989. It quickly became a hit thanks to its cooperative gameplay and fantasy theme. The SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version, released later the same year, is considered one of the best arcade-to-home ports of its time. It even added an exclusive mode - Duel Mode, where players face one-on-one battles in an arena-style setting.

🐉 Rideable Creatures Have Official Names

The game lets you mount bizarre fantasy creatures that can attack enemies, and they're not just generic monsters:

  • Chicken Leg - the lizard-like beast that attacks with tail whips
  • Blue Dragon - breathes fire in a wide arc
  • Red Dragon - shoots a stream of long-range flames

These creatures first appeared in another SEGA arcade title, Altered Beast (1988), and were reused in Golden Axe.

đŸ“ĸ Voice Samples in the Arcade Version

The original arcade release featured digitized voice lines, which were impressive for the time. Enemies could be heard shouting or taunting players with phrases like "Now you will die!" The SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive port retained some sound effects but removed most of the voice samples due to hardware limitations.

đŸĒ“ The Golden Axe Itself

Despite the game's title, none of the main characters actually use a golden axe. The "Golden Axe" refers to the powerful weapon wielded by Death Adder, the main villain of the game. In the ending, recovering the axe becomes symbolic of restoring peace to the land of Yuria.

🌍 Global Popularity and Legacy

Golden Axe was a major success both in Japan and internationally. Its mix of side-scrolling combat, fantasy elements, and local multiplayer made it a standout hit on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. The game played a big role in popularizing beat 'em ups on home consoles and remains one of the most recognized titles in SEGA's history.

📚 Sequels and Follow-ups

The success of Golden Axe led to multiple sequels and spin-offs. Two direct sequels were released on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive:

🗡ī¸ Golden Axe II (1991)

Set some time after the original, this sequel features the same trio of heroes facing a new threat - the evil sorcerer Dark Guld. The gameplay is refined with smoother combat, new magic animations, and fresh levels. While not as groundbreaking as the original, it's a solid follow-up that remains true to the Golden Axe formula.

⚔ī¸ Golden Axe III (1993, Japan-only release)

Golden Axe III was released exclusively in Japan for the SEGA Mega Drive (though it later became available in North America via the SEGA Channel). It introduced new characters, branching paths, and more complex combat mechanics like blocking and team attacks. Despite mixed reviews, it's a deeper and more experimental entry in the series.

You can play the complete Golden Axe trilogy online on our website - including the original game, Golden Axe II, and the Japan-exclusive Golden Axe III. Whether you're revisiting these SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive classics or discovering them for the first time, all three titles are fully available to enjoy right in your browser.