Golden Axe II
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Golden Axe II
The heroes return, the magic is better than ever, and a new evil has seized the Golden Axe. Golden Axe II is Sega's 1991 Genesis sequel — a refined, hard-hitting follow-up that sharpens the hack-and-slash formula fans loved. You can play the full Genesis cartridge right here in your browser — the six-stage quest and the one-on-one Duel mode both — free and with no download. Pick your warrior, hit the Play button, and reclaim the axe. Here's your guide.
What Is Golden Axe II?
Golden Axe II is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash released by Sega in 1991 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive. The home-console sequel to 1989's Golden Axe, it keeps the medieval-fantasy setting and familiar trio of heroes while improving combat, throws, and especially the magic system.
The plot picks up after Death Adder's defeat: peace doesn't last. A new villain, Dark Guld, has taken the Golden Axe and is spreading chaos with his minions. Once again Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead take up arms — through six scrolling levels and a final showdown with Dark Guld — to recover the axe and free the land.
Characters
The same three heroes return, each with a distinct elemental magic:
- Ax Battler — the barbarian with a two-handed sword; now has longer reach and can throw enemies farther, using wind magic.
- Tyris Flare — the amazon and magic specialist, keeping her powerful fire magic with new animations.
- Gilius Thunderhead — the axe-wielding dwarf, now using rock magic in place of the original's lightning.
Two players can fight side by side, and your choice of magic element shapes how you handle crowds and bosses. The reach and throw distances differ between characters too — Ax Battler now out-ranges Tyris and can throw enemies higher and farther, so each hero genuinely plays differently rather than just swapping a spell.
What's New in Golden Axe II
The sequel keeps the core gameplay but adds meaningful refinements:
- A reworked magic system — instead of spending all your potions at once, you can now hold the magic button and release when the meter reaches the level you want, so you control how much power (and how many potions) you spend.
- An improved back attack — the jump+attack move now hits enemies on all sides, a big survivability boost.
- Directional throws — press left or right right after grabbing an enemy to hurl them that way, perfect for knocking foes into each other or off cliffs.
- Two modes — the standard quest, plus "The Duel," a survival mode of escalating one-on-one battles.
How to Play
Getting started is instant. Press the Play button on this page to load Golden Axe II. Then:
- Choose your warrior — Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, or Gilius Thunderhead.
- Hack through six stages of Dark Guld's minions.
- Kick gnomes to stock magic potions and grab food.
- Charge your magic — hold the button and release for the power level you want.
- Throw and back-attack to manage crowds, and defeat Dark Guld to reclaim the axe.
This one is happy on keys or on glass. Connect a USB or Bluetooth controller and it is spotted straight away, laid out in the Genesis button order. That helps more here than in the first game, since the sequel asks you to hold the magic button and release it at a chosen power level, and judging that hold is easier on a physical button.
Controls
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Move | Arrow Keys |
| Attack | X (B) |
| Jump | Z (C) |
| Magic (hold to charge) | S (A) |
| Back Attack | X + Z (B + C) |
| Pause | Enter (Start) |
Grab an enemy by walking into them, then press left or right to throw that direction. A connected gamepad uses the same assignments, and a real button gives you finer control over how far the magic meter climbs before you let go.
Tips for New Players
- Charge your magic deliberately. The new hold-and-release system lets you spend just a little for a quick hit or your whole stock for a screen-clearer — match it to the threat.
- Use the all-sides back attack. When you're surrounded, jump+attack now hits every direction; it's your best escape.
- Throw enemies into each other. Directional throws let you bowl one foe into a group or off a ledge.
- Play Tyris for raw magic. Her fire magic remains the strongest if you want a spell-heavy run.
- Try The Duel for practice. The survival mode is a great way to learn matchups against tougher enemies.
Why Play It in Your Browser?
Golden Axe II is the series at its most polished, and reaching it here costs a click instead of a trip through the secondhand market. This is the cartridge's own code, so the charge-and-release magic, the all-directions back attack, and the directional throws behave exactly as they did in 1991.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Golden Axe II free to play here? Yes. Press Play and the complete Genesis cartridge loads in your browser, with both the main quest and The Duel selectable from the title screen — no cost, no account, no download.
When did Golden Axe II come out? It arrived in 1991 as a Genesis / Mega Drive exclusive, made in-house at Sega rather than converted from an arcade board the way the first game was. That console release is the version here.
How is it different from the first Golden Axe? It refines the magic system (chargeable spells), improves the back attack to hit all sides, adds directional throws, and includes a survival "Duel" mode.
Can I play it on my phone? Absolutely. The on-screen gamepad is modeled on the classic Genesis controller. The part that takes adjusting on touch is the charged spell, since you have to keep a finger planted while you watch the meter fill.
Who are the playable characters? Ax Battler the barbarian, Tyris Flare the amazon, and Gilius Thunderhead the dwarf — each with a different magic element.
Choose your warrior and take back the Golden Axe — press Play to begin.