Golden Axe (video game)

Golden Axe
North American Genesis cover art
Developer(s)Sega
Publisher(s)Sega
Designer(s)Makoto Uchida
Composer(s)Y.T.
Jeroen Tel (C64)
SeriesGolden Axe
Platform(s)Arcade, Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Sega CD, Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, IBM PC, PC-Engine CD, WonderSwan Color, ZX Spectrum
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: January 27, 1989
  • WW: May 1989
Mega Drive/Genesis
  • JP: 23 December 1989
  • NA: 1 February 1990
  • EU: November 1990
PC Engine CD
Master System
  • NA: 1 March 1990
  • EU: 1990
Genre(s)Beat 'em up, hack and slash
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega System 16B

Golden Axe is a 1989 beat 'em up video game developed and published by Sega for arcades, running on the Sega System 16B arcade hardware. Makoto Uchida was the lead designer of the game, and was also responsible for the creation of the previous year's Altered Beast. The game casts players as one of three warriors that must free the fantastical land of Yuria from the tyrannical rule of Death Adder, who wields the titular Golden Axe.

The game was well received at the time of release. Golden Axe was later converted for play on many different home systems, including Sega's own Mega Drive/Genesis and Master System. The game's success spawned an entire franchise consisting of several sequels and various spin-offs.