SEGA released Golden Axe today on the AppStore. It continues somewhat of a trend for SEGA, with it bringing the Genesis (or Megadrive in Europe) back catalogue to iPhone. First was Sonic and now it’s Golden Axe. I have to admit I loved Golden Axe back in the arcades, and loved it on the console. The game is presented in the same way as iPhone Sonic, with both a full screen view, complete with button overlays… or with a classic view, which puts the game in it’s default resolution with a Genesis style surround and buttons.
After a quick play I can inform you that it plays pretty much exactly like the original… and just like Sonic there is some slowdown. I’m assuming this is either deliberate or just a lazy port. You can play using tilt control but it just feels wrong, so stick with the virtual d-pad which works pretty well. Either view looks good but I prefer the full screen.
I’m not sure the price of $4.99 is quite right, as while it may be similar priced to it’s XBLA and PSN versions, you can get Hero of Sparta for only a dollar more – which is a spiritual successor of sorts and far better. On the other hand if you want a trip down memory lane, then the iPhone isn’t the worse place to get some GA action in.
I won’t be reviewing the game fully, so consider this a review and I’ll give the game 3 stars purely on retro appeal.
