Athena (1987). Play online
Game Info
Not rated
- Platform
- NES
- Genres
- Action · Platformer
- Player Perspective
- Side view
- Developer Companies
- SNK
- Publishers
- SNK
- Release date
- 5 June 1987
- Languages
- 🇯🇵 Japanese
Summary
Athena, SNK’s quirky 8‑bit platformer, drops you into a bizarre situation: the heroine arrives on foot, virtually nude and armed only with her kicks. The visual style is oddly charming, and the moment you realize you can strap on equipment you find on fallen foes feels like a cheeky mix of platforming and light RPG. Every strike can reward a sword, club or even a bow, instantly turning a helpless princess into a fully‑kitted warrior.
The game forces you to juggle gear – shields, helmets and armor appear in the heat of battle but wear out after a few hits, keeping the tension high. Hidden among breakable stone blocks, special items like Mercury’s sandals grant massive leaps, while a trusty hammer shatters walls to expose secret rooms. This blend of collectible loot and strategic choices adds depth that surprises the eye.
Across eight hazardous worlds, each culminating in a towering boss, Athena must master these myth‑themed weapons to survive. The NES edition, reworked by Micronics, was released solely for North American home systems, preserving the arcade’s fast‑paced action and oddball humor. It’s a forgotten gem that still thrills me whenever I fire up my old console.
Storyline
In Athena, the headstrong princess of the Kingdom of Victory grows tired of palace life. She impulsively opens the “Door Which Shouldn’t Be Opened” hidden in Castle Victory’s basement, and the portal hurls her into the sky. Athena crashes into the hostile Fantasy World, a realm ruled by the tyrannical Emperor Dante, and even loses her flowing dress during the fall. Stripped of comfort, she must battle beast‑like warriors and countless hazards to survive and eventually confront Dante.
After she finally defeats Dante, the story continues in the sequel Athena: Full Throttle. Bored once more, Athena ignores her maid Helene’s warning and opens the “Door Which Shouldn’t Be Opened B,” sending both into Elysium World. There they encounter new villains and fresh challenges, keeping the princess’s restless spirit alive.
Edited by Maya Carter
