高評價的戰斧遊戲主要以SEGA的經典清版動作遊戲系列《戰斧》（Golden Axe）最為知名，其中尤以初代作品（1989）和擁有四人遊玩模式、內容更豐富的《戰斧後傳：死亡復仇》（Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder，1992）最受玩家推崇。這些作品無論是在大型電玩廳還是後來的家用主機平台上，都獲得極高人氣，原因在於它們將奇幻世界觀、爽快打擊感以及協力合作遊玩巧妙融合，即便玩家之間偶爾會因「隊友互擊」而陷入混亂，也增添遊戲的趣味性與挑戰感。

初代《戰斧》於1989年推出，是系列的開山之作，迅速在街機平台上走紅，奠定了整個系列的核心玩法和世界觀。遊戲以三名角色（戰士、矮人和女魔法師）為主，玩家可使用戰斧、魔法攻擊與騎乘魔物來擊敗敵人，並透過豐富的關卡設計和連續打擊帶來爽快感。到1992年推出的《戰斧後傳：死亡復仇》，則在畫面、角色數量和敵人設計上大幅提升，新增四人同時遊玩的功能，讓朋友間的合作和混亂互動達到巔峰。這部作品還以「豬隊友」般的混亂場面、多元的魔物騎乘系統以及挑戰性的關卡設計，被許多玩家視為清版動作遊戲的經典之作。

《戰斧》系列受歡迎的原因有多方面。首先是爽快的戰鬥體驗，在使用戰斧、施放魔法或騎乘魔物攻擊敵人時，能立即感受到強烈的操作回饋與打擊感。其次是協力合作玩法，儘管隊友互擊時可能帶來意外混亂，但也讓玩家間的互動更加豐富有趣。此外，遊戲採用暗黑奇幻風格的背景設定，充滿魔物、巨龍與巫師的世界觀，吸引大量喜愛奇幻題材的玩家。再者，遊戲在操作上多元，除了基本攻擊，還加入了閃避、聯手攻擊、投石器以及魔法連鎖等玩法，使遊戲體驗層次更加豐富。

除了《戰斧》系列，當時其他清版動作遊戲也受到好評，例如《戰鬥原始人（Joe & Mac）》，雖然不是「戰斧」系列，但同樣以類似的動作玩法和趣味設計，深受玩家喜愛。此外，如果談及「戰斧」這個概念本身，例如在《英雄聯盟》中存在的裝備「破船戰斧」，則屬於策略型裝備，雖然也引起討論，但其影響主要在玩法策略層面，與原始《戰斧》遊戲的爽快動作體驗有所不同。

總體而言，《戰斧》系列因其融合奇幻世界、爽快打擊感與多元玩法而成為清版動作遊戲的經典，也成為許多玩家心中不可取代的童年回憶。無論是單人闖關還是多人合作，每一次揮動戰斧擊退敵人的過程，都帶來強烈的成就感與刺激感，這也是它長久以來備受讚譽的原因。

The highly acclaimed Golden Axe games are best known as SEGA’s classic side-scrolling action series, with particular praise for the original 1989 release and the more content-rich Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder (1992), which added four-player co-op gameplay. These games achieved immense popularity both in arcades and later on home consoles, thanks to their combination of a fantasy world setting, satisfying combat, and cooperative gameplay. Even though players could occasionally hit each other in co-op mode, this added an extra layer of fun and chaos, enhancing the overall experience.

The original Golden Axe, released in 1989, was the cornerstone of the series and quickly became a hit in arcades, establishing the core gameplay mechanics and world of the franchise. Players controlled one of three characters—a warrior, a dwarf, or a female magic user—using axes, magic attacks, and riding monsters to defeat enemies, all within richly designed levels that delivered a strong sense of combat satisfaction. In 1992, Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder significantly improved graphics, character variety, and enemy design, while introducing four-player simultaneous gameplay. This installment became a classic among side-scrolling action games for its chaotic “friendly fire” scenarios, diverse monster-riding mechanics, and challenging stage design.

The Golden Axe series owes its enduring popularity to several factors. First is the exhilarating combat experience, where players feel immediate feedback and impact when swinging axes, casting spells, or riding monsters. Second is the cooperative gameplay, where friendly fire may create chaos but also enhances player interaction. The dark fantasy world, populated with monsters, dragons, and wizards, draws in fans of fantasy settings. The series also incorporates diverse mechanics, including dodging, combined attacks, catapult use, and magic chains, adding depth and variety to gameplay.

Aside from the Golden Axe series, other contemporary side-scrolling action games, such as Joe & Mac, also received critical praise. Although not part of the Golden Axe franchise, they shared similar mechanics and fun designs that captivated players. If considering the concept of “battle axes” in other contexts, such as the Decimate Axe item in League of Legends, these have strategic implications in gameplay but differ from the fast-paced, action-oriented experience of the Golden Axe games.

Overall, the Golden Axe series stands out as a classic of side-scrolling action games due to its combination of fantasy world-building, satisfying combat, and diverse gameplay. Whether played solo or in co-op, every swing of the axe against enemies delivers a strong sense of achievement and excitement, cementing its place as a beloved childhood favorite and a benchmark in the genre.