Retro Rumble - Legend of Zelda VS Golden Axe Warrior

There are few games that match up to the majesty of the Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo. Released in 1988 it was an adventure game in which you played an elven boy called Link and adventured to defeat Ganon and save Princess Zelda.

It would be about five years in 1991, where SEGA would create a game known as Golden Axe Warrior for the Master System which some would call a blatant rip off, but is that really the case, or does Golden Axe Warrior get to stand on its own as a contender to the Legend of Zelda?

Unlike Legend of Zelda, which is steeped in high fantasy with elves and fairies, Golden Axe Warrior has a more Conan esq feel to it. You travel through destroyed and devastated villages; you wield both swords and axes to complete your quest of destroying the villain Death Adder. While Zelda relies on magic shields and tunics Golden Axe Warriors relies on Chain Mail and battle axes.

Both have memorable music, anyone that is a Nintendo fan could hum the tune to the legend of Zelda, the thing is although it is unknown the music for Golden Axe warrior is also very good and hummable if you listen to it. Also add in the cameo of the three characters of the arcade beat em up Golden Axe, yup Gillius Thunderhead, Ax Battler and Tyris Flare are NPCs in the game who teach you magic.

Magic amongst both is delivered differently, Legend of Zelda relies on rings and staffs, whereas Golden Axe Warrior relies on scrolls that can be upgraded. Each scroll corresponds to the four elements.

Zelda relies on potion for health, Golden Axe Warrior relies on food like bread and meat. However, Zelda does come up on top with their map layout. Golden Axe Warrior has segments of the world that are to tightly packed and is a lot more linear.

Sword play is better in Zelda, Golden Axe Warrior is a lot more difficult as your character swings to the right as opposed to the centre like in Zelda. You will end up relying on axes too much.

However, in Golden Axe Warrior there is a lot mor to explore as there are two continents. Also, in Golden Axe Warrior the bosses are pallet swaps of each other with extra moves not very original.

But the two questions that need to be answered are: Is it worth playing, and how does it stack up to the granddaddy of all adventure games?

I would say it is indeed worth playing just to see how it stacks up and see how SEGA takes their adventure game in a different direction. However, despite being older The Legend of Zelda just narrowly squeaks out a victory for Nintendo this time. But by all means if you can get a copy of Golden Axe Warrior the verdict is to you play it.