"Possibly the best arcade game ever created"

This is a classic side scrolling fighter. The first time that I have ever played or saw this game was when I went to my local arcade. To this day I will still see this game in the bigger arcades. This is a classic and its probably going to be with the gamers that lived through the Genesis era. Like most of the good arcade games that are out there you can choose different character but there are only 3. They all have cool powers and they all have their own strengths and their weakness so its your job to decide you you want to play as and who you think is good enough to beat the game with.

Graphics 9/10
The graphics for this game are really really good. You can notice the backgrounds that it looks like they put some time into. In some stages you will be shocked on how well this game was put together in the graphics department. Another good part is the magic. When you are getting you behind kicked just hit the magic button and BAM watch everyone be killed or come very very close to dieing. There are monsters throughout this game that they did a very good job on also...I'm basically talking about the bosses here.

Sound 9/10
The sound in this game is awesome! While you are playing you actually get the sense that you are in the game. The music is sort of a mystical type. So as you are playing you here the cool music that is going along with the game. A lot of games these days for lets say Ps2 and Xbox the music sucks so much you don't even want to listen to them. But when you are playing this game you actually want to listen to it. They did a excellent job on this.

Story 10/10
Here is where things actually get interesting. This guy named Death Adder has taken something called the Golden Axe. While he was at it he thought that he might as well take the Kings with him just for fun. Anyway...its your job to destroy him and take back the Golden Axe and get the kings back to saftey. Along the way you are going to have to kill monsters and bosses and use your magic to get to Golden Adder. A very good storyline. One of the best for a side scrolling fighter IMO.

Gameplay 10/10
Another very good part of the game is this part right here. You have to kill monster in a side scrolling fighter...(this is kind of getting repetitive isn't it?) Anyway you have COOL magic and you are able to choose between a couple of characters. You are able to use a Fighter, Dwarf, and Huntress (a girl wizard.) There are a couple of different game plays. There is also a couple of different difficulties. You will love this game if your a fan of side scrolling fighters.

Replayablility 10/10
This is the best part of the game. You will be popping this game in many times even after you beat it. There are 3 difficulties and there is also the 2 player mode. So with all this I don't think you will be putting this game down for a long time.

Rent or Buy?
If you can find it then buy it. If you can't then go to your local arcade store then just keep popping in quarters cause this is a great game.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/11/05