Golden Axe is a side-scrolling, beat 'em up, arcade game developed and published by Sega. Released in 1989, it became popular for its visceral hack-and-slash gameplay and was subsequently ported to many home consoles, including the Sega Genesis. Players embark on a quest in a fantasy medieval world to defeat the villain Death Adder, who has captured the king and his daughter and threatens the peaceful land with a powerful magical object known as the Golden Axe. Featuring cooperative gameplay, players can choose from three characters, each with unique abilities, to combat various enemies and ride beasts.