While Sega was around making games during the life of the Atari 2600, their more iconic franchises were still a few years away. Such as Sonic, and the title that is the subject of this article – Golden Axe. When Sega entered the brawler market in 1989 with this fantasy game, the Atari 2600 was barely in stores like Montgomery Ward with Atari pushing their “Legend of Zelda competitor” Secret Quest and re-releasing classics like Pac-Man and such. Atari was not burning up the gaming world around this time is what I am trying to say here. That is not stopping Brazilian game developer, alfredtdk, from porting the Sega Master System version over.
Homage of Homages of the Fantasy Kind
According to Time Extension, this version of Golden Axe is based on the Sega Master System. I mean, if you squint really hard, you still won’t see that correlation but I am not familiar with the SMS version. There could be some major differences in that version that are replicated on the classic Atari console.
On the AtariAge forums, we find out a few details about the inspiration involved.
From Brazil with Love
Currently this port is very early. There is a demo available, the first post will have the latest revision so please check there first.
The developer shows a couple of screens from the Sega Master System version and the recreation on the Atari 2600. Obviously the classic Atari console cannot compete graphically but it can definitely compete on vibes and aura. Essentially that is always what Atari 2600 games thrived on beyond early arcade ports like Asteroids.
I am not knocking the 2600, I loved it when I was growing up, I still fire up Asteroids or Missile Command when I find a unit in the wild and hooked up. This happens more often than many might think. Thrift shops, and used game stores, here set up these consoles for play and testing cartridges and such.
Who is ready to slash through the world of Golden Axe on the Atari 2600? What other games do you want to see ported? I am interested in seeing Altered Beast, and even Shinobi ported. I think both of those would look great in the minimalist style of the 2600.
These types of ports never cease to amaze me
Me neither. They are impressive and often come out better than I could have ever thought they would.
#hive #posh
Thank you!