Reviewed
05.12.2019
Publisher
Sega
Developer
AM1
Format
System
32
Origin
Import/Domestic
Available
September
1992
(Japan)
1992
(USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
n/a
Dimensions
2D
View
Side
Genre
Beat'em
up
Players
1-4
co-op
Options
Standard
Cabinet |
| Intro |
|
> In the late 80s and early 90s, beat'em up games were very popular, and
Sega
helped gamers everywhere enjoy this exciting genre with games like Alien
Storm, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage.
Although the Sega Genesis has a game titled,
Golden
Axe II, it is vastly different than Golden Axe: The Revenge
of Death Adder (GATRODA), which is the sequel to the original arcade
Golden
Axe. Despite decent popularity in the arcades (and my complete
disbelief), GATRODA was never ported to home consoles.
> Nowadays, video game companies are re-releasing all their old arcade
games -- even ones that never saw a console port. Now, whenever I bring
this up about a Sega game, the nay-sayers immediately point
to the reports of Sega having lost most of, if not all their
90s coding. I say, irrelevant. First of all, the compiled ROM exists all
over the internet, and I believe it should be technically possible to reverse
engineer the code. Second, there's simple emulation as an option. Lastly,
Sega
isn't required to use the original code; they can just reprogram the game
with modern graphics, add a few levels and features, then you have a new
game that deserves to be on current consoles. |
| Graphics |
|
> Sega was the first company to release 32 bit arcade games, and GATRODA
uses their System 32 arcade board. For 1992, the graphics are very good,
feature tons of sprites, and characters are smoothly animated. AM1 even
threw in some scaling for good measure. Of course, the main event is watching
the player unleash the powerful magic of Golden Axe! I especially
enjoy watching a close-up of the enemy burning to a crisp, as enormous
flames sweep through the screen. |
| Control |
|
> Gameplay is what makes retrogaming so desirable these days. GATRODA uses
an 8-way joystick and three buttons for attack, jump, and magic. Beat'em
up is a repetitive genre to begin with, so having simple, repetitive controls
makes sense. The best feature AM1 retained is the ability
to knock enemies off their mounts, then use that mount with its special
attack. Love it! Multiplayer co-op wrestling moves are available as well.
Anyway, GATRODA does everything right in the control department. |
| Sound |
|
> The background music is just what one would expect from an 80s arcade
game -- nothing more or less. The sound effects include slashing, moaning,
laughing, lightning cracks, blowing flames, and more. It's all in the tradition
of Golden Axe, and it's done right. |
| Fun |
|
> Either single player or multiple players must band together to defeat
Death Adder. Choose from four new characters: Stern (barbarian), Trix (elf
with pitch fork), Goah (giant carrying Gilius Thunderhead), and Dora (female
centaur). Battle through 5 levels featuring two, three-way forks in the
road. Greatness lies ahead -- non-stop hack 'n' slash action, gathering
magic vials, mounting beasts, and wielding ultimate magic! |
| Bottom
Line |
|
> Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder is a tour de force
in the world of beat'em ups. It is beyond my ability to explain how this
gem has remained locked away in a virtual cyber vault for over 25 years.
Sega,
we don't need another Puyo Puyo or Sonic game
-- we need the real Golden Axe 2! Anyway, if retrogamers
want to play an excellent game in this genre, then look no further. Emulation
is probably the only real choice, as I highly doubt an arcade exists with
this game today (unless they have a multi-emu-board). |
| Ratings |
| Overall: 8.8 | Graphics:
9.0 | Control: 9.0 | Sound: 7.5 | Fun: 9.5 |
~ Shinobi
~
|
