Golden Axe
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Estimated FPS across quality settings and resolutions
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Golden Axe FPS by GPU
Estimated framerates for 14 reference GPUs · pick a resolution and quality
Full benchmark grid · 14 GPUs × 4 qualities × 3 resolutions
1080p performance
| GPU | low | medium | high | ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 4090 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RX 7900 XTX | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 5080 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 4080 Super | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 4070 Ti | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 4070 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 890 fps |
| RX 7800 XT | 999 fps | 999 fps | 965 fps | 784 fps |
| RTX 3080 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 939 fps | 763 fps |
| RTX 4060 Ti | 999 fps | 999 fps | 887 fps | 721 fps |
| RTX 3070 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 809 fps | 657 fps |
| RTX 4060 | 999 fps | 913 fps | 730 fps | 593 fps |
| RTX 3060 | 978 fps | 783 fps | 626 fps | 509 fps |
| GTX 1660 Super | 709 fps | 567 fps | 454 fps | 369 fps |
1440p performance
| GPU | low | medium | high | ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 4090 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RX 7900 XTX | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 5080 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps |
| RTX 4080 Super | 999 fps | 999 fps | 999 fps | 986 fps |
| RTX 4070 Ti | 999 fps | 999 fps | 959 fps | 779 fps |
| RTX 4070 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 822 fps | 668 fps |
| RX 7800 XT | 999 fps | 905 fps | 724 fps | 588 fps |
| RTX 3080 | 999 fps | 880 fps | 704 fps | 572 fps |
| RTX 4060 Ti | 999 fps | 832 fps | 665 fps | 540 fps |
| RTX 3070 | 948 fps | 758 fps | 607 fps | 493 fps |
| RTX 4060 | 856 fps | 685 fps | 548 fps | 445 fps |
| RTX 3060 | 734 fps | 587 fps | 470 fps | 382 fps |
| GTX 1660 Super | 532 fps | 426 fps | 340 fps | 277 fps |
4K performance
| GPU | low | medium | high | ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 877 fps | 712 fps |
| RTX 4090 | 999 fps | 999 fps | 814 fps | 661 fps |
| RX 7900 XTX | 999 fps | 913 fps | 730 fps | 593 fps |
| RTX 5080 | 999 fps | 861 fps | 689 fps | 560 fps |
| RTX 4080 Super | 999 fps | 809 fps | 647 fps | 526 fps |
| RTX 4070 Ti | 799 fps | 639 fps | 511 fps | 415 fps |
| RTX 4070 | 685 fps | 548 fps | 438 fps | 356 fps |
| RX 7800 XT | 603 fps | 483 fps | 386 fps | 314 fps |
| RTX 3080 | 587 fps | 470 fps | 376 fps | 305 fps |
| RTX 4060 Ti | 554 fps | 443 fps | 355 fps | 288 fps |
| RTX 3070 | 505 fps | 404 fps | 323 fps | 263 fps |
| RTX 4060 | 457 fps | 365 fps | 292 fps | 237 fps |
| RTX 3060 | 391 fps | 313 fps | 250 fps | 203 fps |
| GTX 1660 Super | 284 fps | 227 fps | 182 fps | 148 fps |
Where to buy
Golden Axe
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Genres
About
Golden Axe, released in 1989, is an action-packed beat 'em up game that has garnered a loyal following over the years. Players progress through the game by battling Death Adder's henchmen, including formidable foes like skeleton warriors and knights, using a combination of weapon attacks and powerful magic spells. Its engaging gameplay, characterized by cooperative multiplayer options, sets it apart as a classic in the action genre.
In terms of PC performance, Golden Axe is quite accessible and does not require high-end hardware to achieve smooth gameplay. An entry-level GPU with a minimum benchmark score of around 50 will suffice to run the game effectively, typically achieving an estimated FPS that should satisfy most casual players. Even older or integrated graphics solutions can deliver dependable performance at basic graphics settings, making it a suitable choice for a wide range of systems.
If you're considering whether to play Golden Axe, the game’s rating of 75/100 indicates a solid experience for fans of action and retro gaming. With its nostalgic charm and cooperative gameplay mechanics, it's definitely worth a play, especially for those interested in classic titles that paved the way for modern action games.
Performance profile
Released in January 1989, Golden Axe predates modern GPU acceleration as we know it today. It runs effortlessly on virtually any current hardware, including integrated graphics and entry-level laptops — framerate is limited by the engine, not the GPU.
Action titles like Golden Axe reward high framerates for visual clarity during combat. A mid-range modern GPU at 1440p 60–120 FPS is the practical sweet spot; VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) smooths out drops during heavy effects.
Extremely light — Golden Axe runs at 60 FPS 1080p on any integrated GPU (Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics) or a decade-old discrete card like the GTX 1050. A current-gen RTX 4060 pushes 4K Ultra without effort.
Storyline
The game takes place in the fictional land of Yuria, a Conan the Barbarian-style high fantasy medieval world. An evil entity known as Death Adder has captured the King and his daughter, and holds them captive in their castle. He also finds the Golden Axe, the magical emblem of Yuria, and threatens to destroy both the axe and the royal family unless the people of Yuria accept him as their ruler. Three warriors set out on a quest to rescue Yuria and avenge their losses at the hands of Death Adder. The first is a battle axe-wielding dwarf, Gilius Thunderhead, from the mines of Wolud, whose twin brother was killed by the soldiers of Death Adder. Another is a male barbarian, Ax Battler, wielding a two-handed broadsword, looking for revenge for the murder of his mother. The last is a longsword-wielding Tyris Flare, an amazon, whose parents were both killed by Death Adder. The warriors rescue the inhabitants of the ransacked Turtle Village, which turns out to be situated on the shell of a giant turtle. The turtle takes the characters across the sea, and they then fly to the castle itself on the back of a giant eagle. Once at the castle they defeat Death Adder, who is wielding the Golden Axe, and save the land. In the Mega Drive and PC versions, and also in other ports, the characters also battle Death Adder's mentor, Death Bringer, as the true final boss. After the final battle, the warriors receive a magical golden axe that imbues the player with immortality.
