Golden Axe III

Overview

Golden Axe III is the third game in the Golden Axe series of fantasy-themed brawlers and was first released on the Sega Genesis. Originally, it was Japan exclusive but eventually saw a digital-only western release via the Sega Channel service. Years later, it was added to the Wii's Virtual Console as well as part of the line-up for the Sega Genesis Collection compilation and its successors Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection and Sega Genesis Classics. It can also be purchased on its own via Steam.

The game, set years after the previous two, has the original heroes Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead cursed by the new wielder of the Golden Axe, the demon Damud Hellstrike. Gilius, though unable to fight, is able to recruit new heroes to take the fight to Hellstrike and recover the Golden Axe: the human heroes Kain Grinder (who greatly resembles Ax Battler) and Sarah Burn (who similarly resembles Tyris Flare), the beastman Chronos "Evil" Rait, the giant Proud Cragger, and the versus mode exclusive birdperson Eve. Also new to the series are junction points, where the player can choose between branching paths that lead to different levels. If the player does well enough, they can even fight an alternative final boss.