Ax Battler
A barbarian swordsman who balances attack power and magic.
Documented for this version
D-pad | Move left or right; press Up or Down to move along available paths. |
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B | Attack. |
C | Jump. |
A | Cast magic using the stored potions. |
D-pad Left/RightD-pad Left/Right | Run by tapping the same direction twice, then attack while moving for a running attack. Timing and direction depend on the character's position. |
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How it plays
The game uses a side-on perspective. Players move through linear stages, defeat waves of soldiers and monsters, collect magic potions, and reach a boss at the end of each area.
Ax Battler uses a sword, Tyris Flare uses a broadsword, and Gilius Thunderhead uses an axe. Each hero has a different maximum magic level. Potions increase available magic, while mounted creatures provide stronger attacks. One or two players can complete the main route together.
Plan your run
Learn enemy attack timing rather than attacking continuously. Short combinations of normal attacks, jumps, and repositioning are safer than standing in the middle of a crowd.
Save potions for difficult groups and bosses, especially when playing as a character with weaker physical reach. Mounted creatures can control space effectively, but dismount or reposition when enemies surround you.
Meet the cast
A barbarian swordsman who balances attack power and magic.
An amazon warrior with the strongest magic capacity.
A dwarf warrior whose axe attacks are powerful and whose magic capacity is lower.
The tyrant and final antagonist who has conquered the kingdom.
Before you begin
Use the screen edges to separate enemies before committing to an attack.
Collect potions consistently so magic is available for bosses.
In two-player mode, avoid striking through your partner when enemies are crowded.
Golden Axe is a side-scrolling fantasy beat 'em up developed by Sega AM7 and published by Sega for the Genesis. Players choose one of three heroes—Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, or Gilius Thunderhead—and fight through a kingdom conquered by the warlord Death Adder. The game combines close-range combat, magic attacks, mounted creatures, and cooperative play. Its arcade-oriented structure favors short, replayable sessions rather than a long narrative campaign. The Genesis version was widely regarded as a strong home adaptation of Sega's arcade hit, retaining its distinctive fantasy presentation and two-player action while making the game accessible without an arcade cabinet.
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