An epic action-platformer with a giant axe and imposing bosses. Polished visuals for NES, committed fantasy atmosphere. Not the most refined but generous, spectacular and enjoyable.
Your verdict
Category
Action1 player12+
Description
Action platformer in which a fantasy warrior battles monsters in a medieval world. Published by Jaleco, released in Europe in 1990. Warrior in side-scrolling view with sword and magic, castle and forest levels and imposing bosses. European version of Jaleco's Astyanax action-platformer.
The European edition of Astyanax adapts Jaleco's action platformer, reaching PAL territories in 1990. Its loose cartridge stays very affordable, yet the boxed value climbs sharply, a sign of poor survival of complete PAL copies rather than intense gameplay demand. The pronounced loose-to-CIB gap is the real angle here, typical of Jaleco's European editions, less widely distributed than their North American counterparts.
Is Astyanax still worth playing in 2026?
An action platformer from Jaleco, Astyanax sends a fantasy warrior armed with a magic axe to face monsters in a medieval world, with a power gauge that modulates the strength of blows and unlockable spells. The narrative cutscenes, ambitious for their time, and the owned heaviness of the combat give a particular character to a demanding action. The handling and difficulty stay rough. For a retro action platforming fan, someone curious about Jaleco productions or a collector, the title keeps a heroic fantasy mood and a substantial challenge.
