Legendary Axe [TG16] Longplay and review [1988]

The Legendary Axe Review

Forget Keith Courage. The Legendary Axe was a good reason to own a TurboGrafx-16.

The TurboGrafx-16 era brought us many titles, but none so memorable as “The Legendary Axe.” It’s 1989, and what we have here is a game that not only looked like a treasure trove with its crisp graphics but played like an epic saga too. Meet Gogan, our barbarian hero, larger than life on your screen, set against a backdrop of rich, exotic locales, each filled with formidable foes from frog men to the colossal Jagu.

Graphics that once dazzled on the TurboGrafx-16 still hold a nostalgic charm today. The sprites are lively, the enemies are imaginative and detailed, and each environment is a vivid painting come to life. The soundtrack is a delight, something any retro game music aficionado would proudly spin.

Gameplay is straightforward: a side-scrolling action where your key strategy is whether to unleash a quick series of blows or wait for the power meter to fill for a devastating attack. This is the essence of “The Legendary Axe” – simple, unadulterated fun. It’s a title that knew its scope and executed it flawlessly, a testament to the design philosophy of its time.

Fast forward to 2024, and “The Legendary Axe” serves as a palate cleanser from the Big Idea games of the era. It’s a reminder of the joys of simplicity in an industry often obsessed with complexity.

Verdict

Even decades later, “The Legendary Axe” remains a must-have for any TurboGrafx-16 collector or retro gaming enthusiast. It’s a piece of gaming history that reminds us how far the action genre has come. Whether you’re revisiting or discovering, “The Legendary Axe” is a slice of gaming purity that stands the test of time.

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