Retro Review: Golden Axe (Mega Drive)

Golden Axe is one of those games that instantly takes you back to a different era. The moment the title screen loads, with its bold fantasy artwork and pounding music, you know you’re in for something straightforward and satisfying. It was one of the early reasons to own a Mega Drive, and even now it still has that rough charm that defined Sega’s arcade hits.

For me, it’s tied to the earliest days of getting our Mega Drive. We had it on a three in one cartridge, and me and my brother must have played it for hours. I always picked the sword man, Ax Battler, while he went straight for Gilius the dwarf. Most of our time wasn’t spent taking down Death Adder, though. It was spent arguing over who got the food, who grabbed the potions, and mostly, who accidentally smacked who in the back. We never got very far because of that, but honestly, that chaos is part of why the game stuck with us.

Golden Axe itself is classic side scrolling action. Attacks are chunky, movement is stiff in that old arcade way, and enemies love to gang up on you. But that’s part of its identity. The thrill comes from timing your strikes, tossing enemies around, and collecting magic to unleash flashy spells that clear the screen. Tyris Flare in particular can tear through whole waves with her fire attacks.

The world is simple but memorable. One minute you’re fighting in a village under siege, the next you’re riding on the back of a giant turtle or an eagle. It has that old school fantasy feel where everything is bold, direct, and just a little weird in the best way.

Golden Axe really shines in two player mode. Even when you’re supposed to be working together, the game almost encourages a bit of friendly sabotage. That mix of cooperation and rivalry is exactly what made it so much fun back then, and it still brings a smile now.

Looking back, Golden Axe isn’t deep, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a fast, fantasy themed beat ’em up with big hits, big magic, and memories baked into every level. For many Mega Drive owners, including me and my brother, it was one of those defining early games that made the console feel special.