"Magic and mayhem in this Sega piece of history."

I remember playing Golden Axe at the arcade when I was young. It was one of the reasons I so much wanted a Sega Genesis (that and Altered Beast). Golden Axe was one of the very first games released on the Sega Genesis, and it is a piece of Sega history I will never forget.

Graphics: 6/10 - The graphics remained fairly true to the arcade, but look quite outdated compared to most other Genesis games. The overall atmosphere of the game is nice though, and the animations are pretty good.

Sound: 6/10 - Definitely nothing spectacular with the sound in the game, although, for such an early game, the music isn't too bad. Seems like the game needs more sound effects though.

Gameplay: 7/10 - The game is pretty fun to play every once in a while, especially with a friend. I always like the concept in the Golden Axe games of riding on fire breathing dragons and other beats, I remember that is what caught my eye the most at the arcades way back when. Some of the levels have pretty cool concepts such as taking place on the wings of a giant eagle and riding on the back of a giant turtle.

Story: 5/10 - Very simplistic. Rescue the King and Queen from Death Adder, but there is a surprise at the end!

Overall: 6/10 - I still like playing this game every once in a while. I liked this one better than Golden Axe II, although the graphics may not be as well done. I think that if you are a game collector and have a Sega Genesis, you should not miss out on this part of Sega history.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99