The beloved arcade classic, Golden Axe (1989), has officially been ported to the Neo-Geo platform by developer h0ffman. This new version comes hot on the heels of another successful port, the arcade game Shinobi (1988), also transitioned to Neo-Geo just weeks prior. Enthusiasts can now download Golden Axe for free from h0ffman’s itch.io page, where it is compatible with the Neo-Geo AES, MVS, and CD hardware.
Additional Features of the Neo-Geo Port
Unlike the Shinobi port, Golden Axe includes several unique features that enhance the gaming experience. Below are some standout aspects of this new release:
- Complete support for MVS/AES and Neo Geo CD systems
- Retained original arcade difficulty settings for authenticity
- Select customizable game regions (World/JP) with selectable FBI warnings
- A new soundtrack for Neo Geo CD by composer Richard Douglas
- Full MVS support, enabling multi-slot game switching and credits management
- SoftDIP settings accessible from the title menu on AES and NeoGeo CD
- Configuration files provided for compatibility with flash carts, real hardware, and emulators
Audio Enhancements
In a nod to nostalgic gaming, h0ffman sourced various audio samples from iconic 1980s films such as First Blood and Conan the Barbarian. This effort was made to deliver superior sound quality compared to the original System-16 game.
Download Information
Interested players can access the game at h0ffman’s itch.io page, which also contains further insights into the development process and the meticulous work behind the port.
Community Reactions
What are your thoughts on this Golden Axe port? Are you a fan of classic arcade games or of the Neo-Geo system? For those who have tried the port, share your own experiences below!
