Golden Axe III Japan^[a] is a side-scrolling beat ’em up video game developed and published by Sega, released for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan on June 25, 1993. A North American version was released only for the Sega Channel.^[1] The game was later re-released a number of times, as part of the Sega Genesis Collection for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, digitally on the Wii Virtual Console, and in the Sega Genesis Classics compilation.

Plot – Golden Axe III Japan

Damud Hellstrike, the Prince of Darkness, has taken away the Golden Axe and put an evil curse over all the warriors. However, one of the heroes has their curse relieved and is sent to set things straight – lift the curse off the others, defeat the villain and return with the Golden Axe.

Gameplay – Golden Axe III Japan

The gameplay has been expanded slightly but is essentially the same hack n’ slash as the previous games. New features to the series include new characters, new moves (special attacks, teamwork attacks and teamwork magic spells) and junction points where the players can choose which path to take.

The five characters include a giant, Proud Cragger (プラウド・クラッガー), a humanoid black panther, Chronos “Evil” Rait (クロノス・”イビル”・レート), along with a swordsman, Kain Grinder (カイン・グリンダー), who resembles Ax Battler, and a swordswoman Sarah Burn (サラ・バーン) who resembles Tyris Flare.^[2] Gilius Thunderhead is the only character who appears from previous games, though he isn’t playable and only appears during cut-scenes. Kain Grinder and Sarah Burn are referred to as Ax Battler and Tyris Flare respectively in the Sega Channel localization of the game.^{[citation needed]}

Boss Theme

Ending ~ Staff Roll

Tender Hamlet (Stage 2B)

Ancient Mound (Stage 2A)

Final Boss