Axe to grind

Axe to grind

 

Konami was responsible for some of the best games of the early 90's, everything from castlevania to super probotector, Konami made some stone cold classic gaming.

 

However as good as all these games were, one stands out in my mind above all the rest, Axelay.

This gem pushed the SNES to breaking point, with both top down and side scrolling levels, amazing mode 7 effects and end of level bosses that take up half the screen.

 

The first level has you viewing your ship, Axelay, from the top down as it soars over the clouds and navigates rock formations and squadrons of enemy fighters. After you get through you are faced with a giant robotic space spider- this huge cyber arachnid needs to be blasted into pieces before you can proceed to the second stage.

 

For me the second stage is the least interesting level but with the best final boss of the game.

After you have traversed the side scrolling second stage you get to face off against a giant ED209 style walker that has a massive laser that burns half the screen while you desperately try to avoid a fiery death.

 

 

The second to last boss of axelay is just spectacular, its the size of an aircraft carrier and is made of larva, because if your going to follow a giant spider or ED209 you have to step it up a notch.

It attacks you with two arms made of magma and the worst case of halitosis ever recorded.

 

 

This boss is so awesome that he makes the front box art over the other awesome boss battles that you face in the game.

 

Axelay stands the test of time and I really hope it gets an update or a retro release on the Wii U or Xbox live some time in the future- however if you can't wait till them there are several good snes roms available online- not that I in anyway encourage you to download the ZSnes emulator  and play game roms on that great bit of software....