Athena - for NES

Athena is a platform game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Micronics and published by SNK in 1987, based on SNK's arcade game of the same name. Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, has grown weary of her dull life in the castle and pushes her way out into the Fantasy World beyond the walls, where strange and fearsome creatures attack at every turn. Athena is notable for putting a goddess in the lead years before that was common, and for starting her with almost nothing, so everything she fights with has to be found along the way.

Smashing blocks and scenery turns up her arsenal: a ball and chain, a bow and arrow or a mighty sword, along with armor and other gear that changes how she moves and how hard she hits. The Fantasy World rewards exploring in every direction, since wings let Athena take to the sky and mermaid form lets her explore the ocean depths. Timers keep the pressure on, enemies never really stop coming, and losing hard won equipment stings, which is why Athena has such a well earned reputation for difficulty. One player takes the whole journey.

Athena is loved by players who enjoy a game that fights back. Progress comes from learning where the useful items hide and how to keep hold of them, and finishing a world feels like a genuine accomplishment. The heroine herself went on to become a familiar face in SNK's later games, so Athena is also a piece of that company's history on Nintendo hardware. For collectors, Athena is an early SNK release on the NES, it wears its 1987 technology openly, and it stands as one of the console's more unusual and memorable platform games. Well worth a place in a collection.

• Genre: Platformer
• Players: 1
• Region: NTSC
• Release Year: 1987
• Developer: Micronics

Cartridge Only: No Box or Manual
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Condition & Authenticity
This game has been tested and is fully functional. We do not authenticate or certify originality, and listings are intended for players and everyday collectors rather than professional grading or authentication purposes.

Images & Regional Differences
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