Arcade Throwback 'Battle Axe' Release Date Set for Mid-2020

The Release Date for the Arcade Throwback 'Battle Axe' Has Been Revealed


Published: February 12, 2021 1:44 PM /

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Battle Axe release date cover.

Early last year, an arcade throwback called Battle Axe premiered on Kickstarter. That game will now be arriving in just a few short months — the Battle Axe release date has finally been revealed, although it looks to be slightly delayed.

Developed by Henk Nieborg and Bitmap Bureau, Battle Axe is a game that seeks to revive the spirit of those top-down hack 'n' slash arcade games of yesteryear. It had a successful Kickstarter, raising £73,918 ($102,422) of a £40,000 goal ($55,424) and it's currently in the process of finishing up production. Now we know when the game will be coming out!

Missed out on the original announcement? Check out the Battle Axe segment from a recent Numskull Presents stream!

The land of Mercia is ruled over by the ruthless sorceress Etheldred, a vile woman who kidnaps townfolk for slavery every seven years. The people have had enough and have put out a call to champions to  end her rule. It's up to you to bring her down — and you can bring a friend along for the ride, too!

Players can choose from three characters, each of which has their own unique strengths and weaknesses:

  • Fae the Dark Elf – Fae has powerful and rapid melee attacks along with the ability to quickly dodge out of the way if things get sticky; she's the best choice for players who like to move fast.
  • Rooney the Marauder – Rooney is slow and lumbering, but he's also the most powerful character in the game. This is your guy if you want to be a heavy hitter.
  • Iolo the Wizard – Iolo is a stocky wizard who lands a bit more in the middle ground, destroying enemies with stylish magic attacks. He'll be challenging to play — while he has powerful attacks, he's the slowest and physically weakest character of the three.

Battle Axe is based on the arcade classics of the 80s and 90s. There's a prominent "Credits" listed on the screen, and players can also find or purchase power-ups to improve their gameplay.

We highlighted the game roughly a year ago as part of our Screenshot Saturday feature. The game's Kickstarter campaign said that it was targeting a January 2021 launch, but that obviously didn't happen — now, we have a better idea of when it will arrive.

Battle Axe release date slice

When is the Battle Axe Release Date?

The Battle Axe release date will be sometime in April 2021 as detailed in a press release from Numskull Games. A specific release date has not yet been announced.

Battle Axe is shaping up to be an interesting homage to a great era of arcade gaming. Heck, they even have composer Manami Matsumae (Mega ManFinal Fight) on board! You'll be able to pick up this game in just a few short months; for now, you can check out its official website.

Will you pick up this game on the Battle Axe release date? What's your favorite retro throwback game in recent years? Let us know in the comments below!

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


A photograph of TechRaptor Senior Writer Robert N. Adams.
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One of my earliest memories is playing Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System. I've had a controller in my hand since I was 4 and I… More about Robert N