Play Athena Online

Summary

Athena on the NES drops you into a strikingly bold premise: a nearly‑naked princess lands on a hostile world armed only with her kicks. The platform‑action gameplay quickly expands as you harvest weapons from fallen foes—hammers, spears, even mythic gear like Mercury’s sandals that grant massive jumps. Each of the eight treacherous realms culminates in a towering boss, and the only way to survive is to piece together armor, shields, and headgear that protect you only until they wear out. The game’s subtle role‑playing touches—collecting items that unlock new attacks or allow you to smash stone blocks—feel surprisingly deep for a 1980s side‑scroller. Micronics’ North‑American conversion preserves the arcade’s frantic pacing while adding that nostalgic NES charm, making Athena a memorable blend of skill‑based platforming and strategic equipment management.

Storyline

Athena, the head‑strong princess of the heavenly Kingdom of Victory, grows tired of palace life and seeks excitement. One day she forces open the infamous "Door Which Shouldn't Be Opened" hidden in Castle Victory’s basement, only to be hurled through the sky into a realm called Fantasy World, ruled by the evil Emperor Dante. Stripped of her flowing dress during the fall, she lands in a wilderness teeming with beast‑like warriors and must arm herself for survival. Determined, she battles through countless dangers to confront Dante and reclaim her kingdom.

The adventure continues in the sequel, Athena: Full Throttle, where the bored princess again ignores her maid Helene’s warning and opens the "Door Which Shouldn't Be Opened B." This time the portal drops them into Elysium World, setting the stage for a new series of confrontations with fresh villains.