Golden Axe

Golden Axe brings arcade-style beat-’em-up action straight to your DOS machine. Originally released in 1990 as a port of SEGA’s legendary arcade game, it pits players against the evil Death Adder, a tyrant who has kidnapped the king and his daughter and stolen the mythical Golden Axe. Choose one of three heroes — a barbarian, an amazon, or a battle-hardened dwarf — and fight your way through hordes of enemies on a quest for revenge and justice in a sword-and-sorcery world.

How to play Golden Axe

Character Selection

You can choose from three playable characters, each with their own strengths and magic types:

• Ax Battler: A muscular barbarian with balanced stats and earth-based magic.
• Gilius Thunderhead: A dwarf wielding a massive axe with lightning spells and short stature but high power.
• Tyris Flare: A fierce amazon with the most powerful magic (fire), but lighter on physical strength.

Controls and Compatibility

Golden Axe runs smoothly in-browser via DOS emulation on desktop platforms. Here are the basic controls:

• Arrow keys: Move your character
• Ctrl: Attack
• Alt: Jump
• Spacebar: Use magic (if you have potions)

Note: This DOS version supports 2-player co-op on the same keyboard.

Gameplay Mechanics

Golden Axe follows the classic side-scrolling brawler format. You’ll move from left to right, taking on waves of enemies using a mix of melee attacks, jump kicks, and devastating magic spells. Timing, positioning, and knowing when to unleash magic are key to surviving the increasingly tough stages.

Mounts and Creatures

Enemies sometimes ride beasts — including fire-breathing dragons and tail-whipping monsters. Knock enemies off and you can mount the creature yourself, gaining access to powerful special attacks that vary by mount.

Magic System

Each character has a magic gauge that is filled by collecting blue potions. These are dropped by small blue thieves who appear between levels or after certain encounters. Magic becomes more powerful the more potions you collect — Tyris Flare’s fire magic, for instance, culminates in a screen-clearing dragon attack when fully charged.

Health and Recovery

Green versions of the potion-carrying thieves drop meat instead, restoring health. Watch for them during breaks between stages.

FAQ

What is Golden Axe?

It’s a 1990 DOS arcade-style beat-’em-up where you choose one of three warriors and battle through waves of enemies to defeat the villain Death Adder and recover the Golden Axe.

Can I play with a friend?

Yes. The DOS version supports two-player co-op on the same keyboard. Team up for classic couch co-op fun!

Who is the best character?

Each has strengths: Tyris has the strongest magic, Ax Battler is balanced, and Gilius has powerful melee attacks. Choose based on your play style.

How do I use magic?

Collect blue potions by kicking blue gnome-like creatures and press Spacebar to cast spells. More potions = stronger magic!

Are there boss fights?

Yes. Many levels end in boss fights with oversized knights, skeletons, or dragons. Learn their attack patterns to win.

Can I ride creatures?

Definitely. Knock enemies off their mounts and ride them to gain new attacks like fire blasts or tail spins.

What platforms was Golden Axe released on?

Originally an arcade game, it was ported to MS-DOS, C64, Amiga, Genesis/Mega Drive, and many more systems.

Is the DOS version different from the arcade?

It’s faithful to the arcade version, though with slightly reduced graphics. It still retains co-op, mounts, and magic system.

How long is the game?

The game has 6 main stages, but difficulty increases rapidly. Be prepared to continue — or die trying.

What makes Golden Axe a classic?

It blends swords-and-sorcery lore with cooperative action gameplay, mounts, and satisfying magic — making it a beloved retro favorite.