Remember the days of pumping quarters into arcade cabinets or plugging in your Sega Genesis for some side-scrolling beat 'em up action? The Golden Axe series was a staple of that era, delivering fantasy brawls with barbarians, amazons, dwarves, and dragons. While the first two Genesis entries are well-loved, the third installment, Golden Axe III, often gets a mixed reaction or is simply forgotten.
Released in Japan in 1993 and later exclusively via the Sega Channel in North America in 1995, Golden Axe III arrived late in the Genesis's life cycle. It tried to evolve the formula, but did it succeed? Let's dust off this pixelated relic and see how it holds up today.
What Made Golden Axe III Different?
Sega clearly aimed to iterate on the formula with Golden Axe III. Instead of just rehashing the original trio of heroes (Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, Gilius Thunderhead), the game introduced a fresh cast, though Gilius does return as a non-playable character.
The new blood included:
- Kain Grinder: A barbarian fighter.
- Sarah Burn: An agile amazon.
- Proud Cragger: A hulking giant with powerful throws.
- Chronos "Evil" Rait: A panther-like humanoid with speed.
These new characters brought slightly varied playstyles, a welcome change. But the biggest mechanical shake-up was the expanded move set. Golden Axe III added new techniques like:
- Blocking
- Sweep attacks
- Enhanced throws
- Unique special jumps
This pushed the gameplay closer to other contemporary beat 'em ups, moving slightly away from the more simplistic combat of the earlier Golden Axe titles.
Another notable addition was the branching path system. After certain stages, you'd get a choice of which route to take, leading to different levels and bosses, adding a layer of replayability not seen in the previous games.
The Good, The Bad, and The... Dated?
Golden Axe III definitely had ambitions, but execution was a mixed bag.
The Good:
- Expanded Combat: The new moves like blocking and sweeps added depth to the fighting system. Being able to throw enemies in multiple directions felt good.
- New Characters: While maybe not as iconic as the original trio, the new fighters, especially the unique Proud Cragger and Chronos Rait, were interesting additions.
- Branching Paths: This was a genuine innovation for the series, encouraging multiple playthroughs to see all the levels.
The Bad:
- Pacing Issues: The game can feel like a slog at times, with combat encounters dragging on.
- Repetitive Enemies: A common criticism is the lack of enemy variety, with bosses often being recycled as regular foes later in the game.
- Regressed Magic System: The magic system, a hallmark of Golden Axe, felt less impactful and satisfying compared to the screen-clearing spells of the first game.
- Dated Presentation: Even for 1993/1995, the graphics felt a bit bland and uninspired compared to other Genesis powerhouses or even the arcade sequel Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder (which sadly never got a proper Genesis port). Environments lacked detail, despite larger character sprites.
Many fans also felt the overall atmosphere and music didn't capture the same gritty fantasy charm as the original.
Why Was Golden Axe III Overlooked?
Part of the reason Golden Axe III isn't as widely remembered is its limited release. Being a Sega Channel exclusive in North America meant many gamers simply never had access to it "back in the day." This distribution method often signaled that Sega didn't have full confidence in the title compared to a standard cartridge release.
Furthermore, by the time it hit the Sega Channel in 1995, the 16-bit era was winding down, and attention was shifting to the next generation of consoles. Games like Streets of Rage 2 had also significantly raised the bar for beat 'em ups on the Genesis, making Golden Axe III's flaws more apparent by comparison.
Is Golden Axe III Worth Playing Today?
Despite its criticisms, Golden Axe III isn't a terrible game. It's mechanically competent, and the expanded move set offers a different feel from its predecessors. If you're a die-hard Golden Axe fan or a retro beat 'em up enthusiast, it's worth checking out to see the series' evolution (or lack thereof, depending on your perspective).
You can often find Golden Axe III included in modern Sega Genesis/Mega Drive collections on platforms like Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, or via emulation. Going back to it with modern eyes, acknowledging its historical context and flaws, allows for a more balanced appreciation. It's a fascinating, if imperfect, footnote in the history of a classic series.
Golden Axe III FAQ
Was Golden Axe III released on cartridge in North America?
No, Golden Axe III was only released on cartridge in Japan. In North America, it was exclusively available via the Sega Channel subscription service.
Who are the playable characters in Golden Axe III?
The playable characters are Kain Grinder, Sarah Burn, Proud Cragger, and Chronos Rait. Gilius Thunderhead appears but is not playable.
How does Golden Axe III compare to Golden Axe II?
Golden Axe III introduced more complex combat mechanics and branching paths, whereas Golden Axe II was largely seen as a refinement of the original game with updated graphics and magic. Many fans prefer the simpler, more focused design of GAII or the original.
Can I play Golden Axe III on modern consoles?
Yes, Golden Axe III is often included in official Sega Genesis/Mega Drive collections available on modern platforms like PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
