đšī¸ Cheats & Hidden Secrets
Golden Axe 2 has a couple of handy tricks that can make your adventure a little easier - or just more fun to experiment with. From unlocking a level select to giving yourself extra credits, these cheats are perfect for players who want to explore the game in new ways.
Level Select
To unlock the Level Select option in Golden Axe 2, follow these steps:
- Move the cursor to the Options sign on the title screen.
- Press and hold L+K+Space.
- Once inside the options screen, release only K and Space, while still holding L.
- Adjust the game settings if you like.
- From this point on, use K to confirm selections until you reach the warrior selection screen.
This trick lets you start the adventure from any stage, making it easier to practice tough levels or jump straight to your favorite part of the game.
8 credits
To boost your chances in Golden Axe 2, you can unlock 8 credits instead of the standard amount:
- Move the cursor to the Options sign on the title screen.
- Press and hold L+K+Space.
- Once inside the options screen, release only L, while still holding K+Space.
- Adjust the game settings if you want.
- From this point on, use Enter to confirm selections until you reach the warrior selection screen.
This cheat gives you more continues, making it much easier to fight your way through the later, more difficult stages.
âī¸ Gameplay Improvements
Golden Axe 2 doesn't just repeat the formula of the first game - it sharpens and expands it in ways that make the whole experience feel more polished. From combat mechanics to how magic works, almost every part of the gameplay received some kind of upgrade.
The first thing players notice is how much smoother the fighting feels. Attacks connect with better precision, combos chain together more naturally, and controlling your character in the middle of a crowded battle is less clunky than before. Each warrior also has an expanded set of moves. The addition of the back attack is a small but powerful change, letting you strike enemies approaching from behind without needing to turn around. There's also a dash move and running attack, which add speed and variety to combat, making encounters more dynamic.
Another major improvement lies in the magic system. In the first Golden Axe, the strength of a spell depended on how many magic bottles you collected - holding onto them meant saving for a huge, screen-clearing attack. In Golden Axe 2, the developers rebalanced this mechanic: each spell always deals the same damage, but the number of bottles you carry affects how many times you can cast it. This change encourages players to use magic more freely and strategically, instead of hoarding it for the final boss. Tyris Flare's firestorm, Gilius Thunderhead's mighty earthquake, and Ax Battler's explosive wind attacks all feel more accessible and satisfying as a result.
The game also gives more attention to beast riding, one of the series' most unique features. Mounts like the dragon that breathes fire or the lizard that swings its tail feel more responsive, and keeping control of them in the chaos of battle is easier than in the first game. These creatures add a tactical layer - stealing one from an enemy or using it to scatter a group can turn the tide of a fight.
Even the enemies themselves show improvement. Their attack patterns are a little smarter, they block more often, and they come at you in larger groups. This forces players to mix defense with offense instead of just button-mashing their way through. The pacing between levels is also refined, with smoother transitions and a stronger sense of progression.
Altogether, these adjustments give Golden Axe 2 an identity of its own. It's not just a continuation - it's the version where the mechanics finally click, turning a good beat 'em up into a great one.
đ Enemies & Bosses
A big part of what makes Golden Axe 2 so memorable is the variety of enemies standing in your way. Right from the start, you're thrown into battles against aggressive foot soldiers and sinister skeletons, but the game quickly expands the roster with tougher and more imaginative foes.
Skeletons remain one of the most iconic enemies in the series - fast, relentless, and always appearing in groups that can overwhelm even experienced players. New enemy types like shielded knights and powerful barbarians bring heavier attacks and force you to use defensive moves more carefully. There are also sorcerers who pelt you with long-range magic, creating chaos in the middle of crowded fights.
And of course, Golden Axe 2 wouldn't be complete without its beast riders. Enemies often show up mounted on creatures such as tail-swinging lizards or fire-breathing dragons. Knocking them off and stealing their mount never gets old - it's both satisfying and strategically useful, especially when you turn their own beasts against them.
The bosses deserve special mention. Each stage ends with a larger-than-life showdown, testing your skills in different ways. From heavily armored warriors that absorb damage to groups of mini-bosses attacking together, these encounters break up the flow of regular combat and deliver that arcade thrill of facing something much stronger than the usual crowd. While Death Adder was the centerpiece of the first game, Golden Axe 2 introduces new leaders of darkness who are equally intimidating, keeping the story fresh while staying true to the series' tone.
By mixing familiar foes with new and challenging adversaries, the game ensures no two battles feel exactly the same. Every level brings its own rhythm of enemies, mounts, and climactic bosses, making the journey through Golden Axe 2 just as exciting today as it was when it first hit the Genesis/Mega Drive.
đ Between Golden Axe I and III
Golden Axe 2 sits right in the middle of the trilogy on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive, and it shows how the series was evolving. The first Golden Axe introduced players to the fantasy world of Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead, setting the tone with its mix of swordplay, magic, and beast riding. It was simple but groundbreaking at the time, instantly becoming a favorite among arcade and console players.
With Golden Axe 2, SEGA built upon that foundation, refining the combat, expanding the moveset, and adjusting the magic system. It felt like the developers were listening to fans and trying to polish every part of the gameplay. Many players still see it as the "perfect balance" of the series - not as raw as the original, but not as experimental as what came after.
Then came Golden Axe 3, which pushed the series in a new direction. It introduced new characters, branching paths, and more complex mechanics. However, it was released only in Japan on the Mega Drive and didn't get the same global recognition at the time. Because of this, many Western fans see Golden Axe 2 as the true sequel they grew up with - the game that best carried the spirit of the original while still feeling fresh.
By standing between a groundbreaking first chapter and an ambitious but less widespread third entry, Golden Axe 2 carved out its place as the most accessible and polished experience of the trilogy.
đ Final Thoughts
Golden Axe 2 remains one of the shining examples of SEGA's beat 'em up legacy. It took the foundation of the first game and polished it into a smoother, more dynamic experience, with refined combat, smarter enemies, and a reworked magic system that gave battles extra depth. The fantasy world is just as captivating now as it was in the early '90s, and the thrill of charging into battle with a friend hasn't faded with time.
The adventure still delivers the same mix of challenge and fun that has kept this game a fan favorite for decades. Jump back into the action, choose your hero, and experience Golden Axe 2 online the way it was meant to be played - with all the excitement of a true SEGA classic.