- Golden Axe cheats covered here work with the Genesis version's Arcade Mode inputs
- Stage Select lets you access a stage-selection screen from character select
- Nine Credits provides nine credits or continues after the input is accepted
- Combined setup allows both shortcuts to be used during the same session
- Timing tip: Hold the required directions and buttons before pressing the final input
Golden Axe Cheats: Genesis Arcade Mode Overview
Golden Axe cheats on Genesis are entered through controller combinations rather than a traditional password screen. The documented shortcuts apply to Arcade Mode, and the two most useful inputs are Stage Select and Nine Credits. Both are entered at the character-selection screen before the run begins.
The inputs rely on holding a diagonal direction while pressing buttons. Because the sequence is timing-sensitive, set the controller position first, keep the required buttons held, and then press the final direction or Start command. If the shortcut does not register, return to the character screen and try again without releasing the held inputs too early.
Video Highlights:
- The Stage Select input is demonstrated from the character-selection screen.
- The Nine Credits input is entered in Arcade Mode with A, C, and Start.
- Both shortcuts can be used during the same Arcade Mode session.
- The selected stage number appears in the upper-left portion of the screen.
The reference material identifies the Genesis cheat list as including 2 players, Level Select, and 9 Continues. The practical inputs detailed here focus on the two code-based shortcuts with enough information to reproduce them.
| Cheat | Mode | Starting screen | Main benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage Select | Arcade Mode | Character select | Opens stage selection |
| Nine Credits | Arcade Mode | Character select | Sets the credit or continue count to nine |
| Combined use | Arcade Mode | Character select | Uses both shortcuts in one session |
| 2 Players | Genesis feature | Mode-dependent | Supports cooperative play when available |
Use a standard Genesis controller layout when possible. The inputs are easiest to perform when the diagonal direction and button holds are deliberate rather than tapped quickly.
Stage Select Code and Input Timing
The Stage Select shortcut is the fastest way to practice a particular part of Golden Axe without progressing through every earlier stage. Start in Arcade Mode and wait for the character-selection screen. The input uses the down-left diagonal direction, the B button, and Up.
The documented sequence is:
| Step | Input | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hold Down and Left diagonally | Keeps the directional requirement active |
| 2 | Continue holding the diagonal and hold B | Prepares the shortcut |
| 3 | Press Up while the inputs remain held | Activates the stage-selection function |
| 4 | Watch the upper-left display | A stage number appears |
| 5 | Choose the desired stage | Begins the run at the selected stage |
Enter Arcade Mode
From the Genesis version's main menu, select Arcade Mode and proceed to the character-selection screen. The shortcut is not described as a general menu code, so enter it only after reaching this screen.
Hold the Diagonal Direction
Hold the D-pad diagonally Down and Left. Keep the direction held while preparing the button input instead of releasing it between actions.
Add B and Press Up
While holding Down and Left, hold B, then press Up. The stage-selection trigger should register from the character screen.
Read the Stage Number
Look at the upper-left area of the display. A stage number should appear, indicating that the stage-selection function has been activated.
Select a Stage
Move through the available stage choices and confirm the stage you want to practice. Start with a familiar stage to verify that the input worked correctly.
The key distinction is that the diagonal direction is held throughout the sequence. Pressing B first and then attempting to recreate the direction may produce no result. If the stage number does not appear, return to character select and repeat the full sequence with slower, cleaner timing.
The Stage Select shortcut is documented for Arcade Mode. Do not assume the same input will work from other modes, menus, or versions of Golden Axe.
Nine Credits and Continues Code
The Nine Credits shortcut gives the run a larger supply of retries than a normal session. It is entered from the Arcade Mode character-selection screen using the same diagonal direction as the Stage Select input, but the button combination changes to A and C, followed by Start.
The documented sequence does not provide a visible confirmation message. Instead, select a character and check the credit display during the run. This makes careful observation important: the code may register even though the character screen does not show a special notification.
| Step | Required input | Confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enter Arcade Mode | Reach character select |
| 2 | Hold Down and Left | Keep the diagonal active |
| 3 | Hold A and C | Maintain both buttons |
| 4 | Press Start | Code is submitted |
| 5 | Begin the game | Check for nine credits or continues |
After the sequence is accepted, the run should display nine credits or continues. Since there may be no immediate confirmation, verify the count after selecting your character.
Nine Credits Verification:
- Select Arcade Mode
- Reach the character-selection screen
- Hold Down and Left together
- Hold A and C before pressing Start
- Check the in-game credit or continue display
Use the shortcut when learning enemy patterns, testing a character, or practicing later sections. The extra attempts are especially useful when you want to study a stage without restarting the entire session after every defeat.
The available documentation uses both “credits” and “continues” when describing this shortcut. For practical purposes, check the number shown by your particular Genesis release or setup rather than relying on terminology alone.
| Feature | Stage Select | Nine Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Down and Left | Down and Left |
| Buttons | B | A and C |
| Final input | Up | Start |
| Visible confirmation | Stage number appears | No immediate confirmation described |
| Main use | Stage practice | Extra retries |
Using Both Golden Axe Shortcuts Together
The two Genesis shortcuts can be combined during the same Arcade Mode session. This gives you a convenient practice setup: choose a later stage with Stage Select, then use the Nine Credits input to provide additional attempts.
For the cleanest setup, enter one shortcut, confirm its result, and then return to the appropriate character-selection screen before attempting the second. The reference demonstration shows that both codes can be used together, but separating the checks makes troubleshooting easier.
Stage Practice
- Stage Select reaches a chosen section faster
- Useful for learning enemy groups
- Reduces repeated early-stage travel
Extra Attempts
- Nine Credits increases available retries
- Helpful for testing unfamiliar stages
- Allows more room for pattern practice
Combined Session
- Use both shortcuts in Arcade Mode
- Confirm the stage number first
- Check the credit display after starting
| Recommended order | Action | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enter Arcade Mode | Establishes the supported mode |
| 2 | Perform Stage Select | Confirms the directional and B input |
| 3 | Verify the stage number | Prevents confusion later |
| 4 | Perform Nine Credits | Adds the retry shortcut |
| 5 | Start the run and check the display | Confirms the final setup |
If the stage selection works but the credit count does not change, repeat only the Nine Credits sequence. If neither shortcut activates, restart from the character-selection screen and focus on holding Down and Left continuously.
Use one shortcut at a time when testing an unfamiliar controller or release. Once each input works independently, combine them for a more efficient practice run.
The IGN Golden Axe Cheats guide is a useful reference for the Genesis cheat categories, including Level Select and 9 Continues. Use the linked guide alongside the input instructions here when comparing terminology across releases.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Cheat inputs in an older action game can fail for several simple reasons: the wrong mode, an interrupted hold, a mistimed final press, or a controller layout that does not match the original Genesis arrangement. Work through the checklist below before assuming the code is unavailable.
| Problem | Likely cause | Recommended fix |
|---|---|---|
| No stage number appears | Wrong mode or incomplete input | Return to Arcade Mode character select and repeat |
| Stage Select fails repeatedly | Direction or B released too early | Hold Down, Left, and B until pressing Up |
| Credit count does not change | A, C, or Start timing was incorrect | Hold A and C, then press Start |
| No confirmation appears | Normal behavior for Nine Credits | Start the run and inspect the credit display |
| Combined setup is unclear | Both inputs were attempted without checking | Verify each shortcut separately |
Q: Do these Golden Axe cheats work in every mode?
The documented Stage Select and Nine Credits inputs are specified for Arcade Mode, beginning at the character-selection screen. They should not be treated as universal codes for every mode or release.
Q: What is the Stage Select input?
Enter Arcade Mode, hold Down and Left diagonally, hold B, and press Up. When accepted, a stage number appears in the upper-left portion of the screen.
Q: What is the Nine Credits input?
At the Arcade Mode character-selection screen, hold Down and Left, hold A and C, and press Start. Check the in-game display because no immediate confirmation is described.
Q: Can I use Stage Select and Nine Credits together?
Yes. The shortcuts can be used during the same Arcade Mode session. Confirm the stage-selection result first, then perform the Nine Credits sequence and verify the displayed count.
A reliable troubleshooting routine is more useful than repeatedly mashing the buttons. Keep the controller still, use the exact diagonal direction, and make the final input distinct. If you are using an emulator, confirm that the mapped Genesis buttons correspond correctly to A, B, C, and Start.
When a code seems inactive, repeat it from the character-selection screen with slower timing. The Nine Credits shortcut may provide no visible confirmation until the run begins.
For quick reference, the two primary shortcuts are summarized below:
| Shortcut | Mode | Hold | Final press | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage Select | Arcade Mode | Down and Left plus B | Up | Stage number and selection access |
| Nine Credits | Arcade Mode | Down and Left plus A and C | Start | Nine credits or continues |
| Both | Arcade Mode | Complete each sequence separately | Verify each result | Stage practice with extra retries |
These inputs turn the Genesis version of Golden Axe into a more flexible practice environment without changing the core combat system. Start with Stage Select when you need to study a location, use Nine Credits when you need more attempts, and combine both only after each shortcut works independently.