Athena (1987-)
Developer: Micronics
Publisher: SNK
Genre: Platform
Designer: Koji Obata
Athena for the NES was developed by SNK and released in 1987. It was published by SNK in Japan and by other publishers internationally. The game originally started as an arcade title before being ported to the NES and several other home systems. Athena is known for blending platforming with action-adventure elements, featuring a mythological theme inspired by ancient Greek and Japanese folklore. It followed a trend in the 1980s of games that combined fantasy settings with side-scrolling gameplay.
In Athena, players control Princess Athena as she embarks on a quest through various stages filled with enemies, traps, and puzzles. The gameplay features platform jumping, combat with weapons and magical items, and exploration of interconnected areas. Players can collect power-ups and armor upgrades that change Athena’s appearance and abilities, providing strategic depth to the game. Its mix of action and puzzle-solving was likely inspired by earlier adventure platformers and mythologically themed media.
The soundtrack of Athena features upbeat and engaging music that complements the adventurous tone of the game. The compositions balance energetic tracks during combat sequences with more atmospheric tunes for exploration, helping to immerse players in the diverse environments. While not widely celebrated on its own, the music played an important role in supporting the pacing and mood of the gameplay.
Athena did not have a direct prequel but was followed by a few sequels and spin-offs, including titles like “Psycho Soldier,” which featured Athena as a character and introduced new gameplay mechanics. Promotion for Athena emphasized its fantasy setting and strong female protagonist, which was somewhat unusual for the time. The game received mixed to positive reviews, with praise for its graphics and imaginative design but some criticism of its controls and difficulty. Despite this, Athena remains a memorable early NES title with a unique blend of action and mythology.
Images from MobyGames
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