# Golden Axe

> 1989 beat 'em up video game

**Wikidata**: [Q1046574](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1046574)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Axe_(video_game))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/golden-axe-q1046574

## Summary
Golden Axe is a 1989 beat 'em up video game originally developed for arcade video game machines and later ported to numerous home systems including the Sega Genesis, Commodore Amiga, and modern platforms like Linux and iOS. Designed by Makoto Uchida and published by Virgin Interactive, the title serves as the inaugural entry in the Golden Axe video game series. It supports both single-player and co-op modes, utilizing gamepad or touchscreen inputs depending on the specific hardware platform.

## Key Facts
*   **Release Date:** The game was first released on January 27, 1989, with specific ports like the Amstrad CPC version following in 1990.
*   **Genre:** It is classified strictly as a beat 'em up video game.
*   **Developer:** The game was designed by Makoto Uchida, a Japanese engineer and programmer born in 1964.
*   **Publisher:** Virgin Interactive (also known as Virgin Mastertronic and Virgin Games) published the title.
*   **Platforms:** The game runs on a vast array of systems including arcade video game machines, Sega Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, DOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable.
*   **Game Modes:** It features single-player video game and co-op mode capabilities.
*   **Input Devices:** Players use a gamepad on most systems, while the iOS version specifically supports touchscreen input.
*   **Ratings:** The game holds an ESRB rating of "Everyone" and a PEGI rating of "12".
*   **Series:** It is the first part of the Golden Axe video game series.
*   **Country of Origin:** The game originates from Japan.
*   **Distribution:** It is distributed via digital distribution and digital download formats through services like Steam, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and PlayStation Now.
*   **Steam ID:** The Steam application ID is 34276, supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux.
*   **App Store ID:** The iOS version has the App Store ID 319600514.
*   **MAME ROM Name:** The arcade version is identified in MAME as "goldnaxe".
*   **IMDb ID:** The title is listed on IMDb with the ID tt0345344.
*   **Aliases:** The game is known by various names including "Gooruden Akkusu," "ゴールデンアックス," "金斧," "戰斧（遊戲）," "قولدن اكس," and "황금도끼."
*   **Languages:** The work is available in English, with Wikipedia articles existing in 26 languages including Japanese, German, French, and Russian.
*   **Database Identifiers:** It holds unique IDs across numerous databases, including MobyGames (199), GameFAQs (multiple per platform), GOG (golden-axe), and the Media Arts Database (multiple entries for different console versions).

## FAQs
**What platforms can I play Golden Axe on today?**
The game is available on a wide variety of modern and legacy hardware, including Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable. It was originally released on arcade machines, the Sega Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, and various 8-bit and 16-bit home computers like the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.

**Who created Golden Axe and who published it?**
The game was designed by Makoto Uchida, a Japanese video game developer and programmer born in 1964. It was published by Virgin Interactive, a former British video game publisher that also operated under the names Virgin Mastertronic and Virgin Games.

**What type of game is Golden Axe and how is it played?**
Golden Axe is a beat 'em up video game that supports both single-player and co-op modes. Players typically control characters using a gamepad, though the iOS version allows for touchscreen controls.

**When was Golden Axe released and where did it originate?**
The original arcade version was released on January 27, 1989, in Japan. While the initial release was in 1989, specific home computer ports, such as the Amstrad CPC version, were released in 1990.

**How is the game distributed and rated?**
The title is distributed digitally through platforms like Steam, Nintendo eShop, and PlayStation Store. It carries an ESRB rating of "Everyone" and a PEGI rating of "12," indicating it is suitable for a general audience with some age restrictions in certain regions.

## Why It Matters
Golden Axe holds a significant place in video game history as a defining title of the late 1980s beat 'em up genre. Its release in 1989 helped establish the template for side-scrolling action games that would dominate arcades and home consoles for the next decade. The game's extensive porting history demonstrates its technical adaptability, having been successfully translated from powerful arcade hardware to diverse systems ranging from the 8-bit Commodore 64 to modern 64-bit operating systems like Linux and macOS. As the founding entry of the Golden Axe series, it created a franchise that expanded into multiple sequels and media, cementing its legacy in gaming culture. The game's availability on modern digital storefronts ensures its preservation and continued accessibility for new generations of players.

## Notable For
*   **Extensive Porting:** It is one of the most widely ported games of its era, appearing on over a dozen distinct hardware platforms including the ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, and TurboGrafx-16.
*   **Cross-Platform Longevity:** The game remains playable on modern operating systems (Linux, macOS, Windows) and mobile devices (iOS) decades after its original 1989 release.
*   **Series Origin:** It serves as the inaugural title for the Golden Axe video game series, establishing the characters and setting for future entries.
*   **Multi-Format Distribution:** It is available through diverse digital channels including Steam, PlayStation Now, Nintendo eShop, and the Apple App Store.
*   **Design Legacy:** Designed by Makoto Uchida, it represents a key work in the career of a notable Japanese developer and engineer.
*   **Database Richness:** The title is meticulously cataloged across dozens of specialized video game databases, including MobyGames, GameFAQs, and the Media Arts Database, with unique identifiers for almost every version.

## Body

### Origins and Development
Golden Axe was released on January 27, 1989, originating from Japan. The game was designed by Makoto Uchida, a Japanese video game developer born in 1964 who worked as an engineer and programmer. Uchida's citizenship is Japan, and his work on this title is a primary reference in his professional history. The game was published by Virgin Interactive, a former British video game publisher founded in 1983. Virgin Interactive operated with headquarters in London and the United States, and the game was also released under the imprints Virgin Mastertronic and Virgin Games. The country of origin for the work is Japan, reflecting the development team's location and the initial market focus.

### Gameplay and Mechanics
The title is classified as a beat 'em up video game, a genre characterized by side-scrolling combat against multiple enemies. It supports two primary game modes: single-player video game and co-op mode, allowing for collaborative play. Input methods vary by platform; most versions utilize a gamepad, while the iOS version specifically supports touchscreen input. The game is rated "Everyone" by the ESRB and "PEGI 12" by the Pan European Game Information system. It is part of the Golden Axe video game series, serving as the foundational entry for the franchise.

### Platform Availability and Technical Details
Golden Axe boasts an exceptionally wide range of platform support. The original release was on an arcade video game machine, with the MAME ROM name identified as "goldnaxe". It was subsequently ported to the Sega Genesis (also known as the Mega Drive), TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, and Amstrad CPC. The game also runs on DOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Modern and handheld support includes the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and iOS. Specific technical identifiers include the Steam application ID 34276 for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the App Store ID 319600514 for iOS. The game is distributed via digital distribution and digital download formats.

### Release History and Versions
The initial release date is recorded as January 27, 1989. Specific regional and platform variations have distinct dates; for instance, the Amstrad CPC version was released in 1990. The Media Arts Database lists specific release dates for various console versions, including the Sega Genesis version on December 23, 1989, and the TurboGrafx-16 version on March 16, 1990. Later re-releases include the Wii version on December 2, 2006, and the PlayStation 3 version on July 28, 2011. The game has been delisted from certain stores, with a record indicating a delisting date of January 7, 2026, for specific digital versions.

### Distribution and Digital Presence
The game is available through multiple digital storefronts. Steam distributes the title for PC platforms, while the Nintendo eShop hosts it for Nintendo systems. PlayStation Store and PlayStation Now provide access for Sony consoles, with PlayStation Now availability noted as of July 5, 2021. The game is also available on the iOS App Store and the Xbox Games Store (Xbox 360), with the latter having the ID 66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410862. North American PlayStation Store listings include the ID UP0177-NPUB30441_00-SVCGOLDENAXE16XX.

### Identifiers and Database Records
Golden Axe is extensively cataloged across the internet. It holds the IMDb ID tt0345344 and the Freebase ID /m/04bhys. The MobyGames ID is 199, and the GameFAQs database contains multiple entries for different platforms, such as 588074 for the Sega Genesis and 589311 for the TurboGrafx-16. The Media Arts Database contains multiple entries, such as M727319 for the Sega Genesis version and M748214 for the Wii version. Other notable identifiers include the GOG ID (golden-axe), the Internet Archive ID (msdos_Golden_Axe_1990 for DOS), and the Redump.org ID 7610 for the TurboGrafx-16. The game is also listed in the Internet Game Database, The Games Database, and various retro gaming archives like the Home of the Underdogs and the Software Preservation Society.

### Cultural Impact and Language
The game is available in English, with the language of work or name confirmed as English for the Steam version. Wikipedia articles exist in 26 languages, including Japanese (ja), German (de), French (fr), Spanish (es), and Russian (ru). The title has aliases in multiple languages, such as "ゴールデンアックス" in Japanese, "金斧" in Chinese, and "황금도끼" in Korean. It is the subject of numerous fandom articles, including entries on the Sega, Nintendo, and Arcade wikis. The game is also featured in the "Golden Axe" topic category on Wikipedia and has a dedicated page on the PC Gaming Wiki.

### Related Entities and People
The primary human entity associated with the game is Makoto Uchida, the designer. The organization behind the publication is Virgin Interactive. The game is a "thing" in the category of video games and is part of the "Golden Axe" series. It is related to the beat 'em up genre and the broader context of Japanese video game development. The game's existence is supported by a network of references including Wikipedia, Steam, and various academic and archival sources.

## References

1. redump.org
2. Steam
3. MusicBrainz
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [All PS Now games A-Z](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-now/ps-now-games/#all-ps-now-games)
6. PCGamingWiki
7. RAWG
8. [Source](https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C31679)
9. [PCGamingWiki](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Golden_Axe)
10. RetroAchievements
11. Delisted Games