Golden Axe (1989)

He has kidnapped the king and princess, seized the legendary Golden Axe, and threatens to destroy them unless his rule is accepted.

Three warriors, each with their own personal vendetta, set out to defeat Death Adder and free the kingdom: Ax Battler, a barbarian whose mother was slain, Tyris Flare, an amazon avenging the murder of her family, and Gilius Thunderhead, a dwarf seeking retribution for his brother.

The heroes travel across villages, wilderness, and fortresses on a journey toward Death Adder’s castle.

Gameplay unfolds as players move horizontally through side-view stages, defeating waves of enemies with melee combat.

Each character wields a different weapon and fighting style: Ax Battler uses a broad sword with balanced reach, Tyris Flare carries a long sword with fast slashes, and Gilius Thunderhead swings a short-handled axe with wide strikes.

Players can attack, jump, or perform a running charge, and enemies often appear in groups, requiring careful positioning and crowd control.

In addition to standard attacks, each character commands unique magical powers fueled by potions.

Potions are obtained by striking small blue thieves that appear between or during stages.

Magic grows stronger as more potions are collected: Ax Battler conjures earth-based spells, Gilius Thunderhead unleashes lightning, and Tyris Flare calls upon fire, with her spells being the most powerful at full charge.

Magic is limited, however, and must be used strategically.

Mounted combat is another feature.

Certain enemies ride beasts such as fire-breathing dragons or tail-whipping creatures.

Defeating their riders allows players to mount the creatures themselves, adding temporary advantages in range and power.

Food items, dropped by green thieves, restore health, and lives are limite

Golden Axe (1989) for Sega Genesis is currently worth €43.15 loose, €57.97 complete in box, and €131.98 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.

Golden Axe (1989) has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Sega Genesis titles.

Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Golden Axe (1989), loose is €43.15 and CIB is €57.97 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.

The PAL version of Golden Axe (1989) is currently worth €43.15 loose, versus €34.12 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.