But, seriously, you used to complain about LA1 every time it was mentioned back in the day (a few years ago). Well, I just don't want folks to think that the game is broken (and, in turn, as frustrating) as you paint it. I still can't believe that you (who actually took the time to appreciate the TG-16 port of Turrican!) are complaining about anything in Legendary Axe!
As a game designer myself, I cannot overlook glaring technical flaws, as I know how to avoid committing these mistakes myself. Technical flaws make otherwise good games quite bad. Legendary Axe, Impossamole, Shape Shifter... great potential ruined by technical flaws that could have been corrected but were not. Give me the source code and I'll fix 'em all. 
These are all games that I have conquered and know that I could have improved upon. And what's up with Turrican? Well, quite simply put, it's not that bad. Arkhan likes to whine about "robot man can't shoot up!" but hey, neither can Mega Man, and that game's beloved the world over. Turrican simply doesn't suffer from any game-breaking technical flaws... despite the fact that the level layouts are boring as shit, the enemies are completely stupid, there's no knock-back effect, and the ending sucks worse than Shadow Of The Beast's ending... there are still no game-breaking technical flaws that hold it back.
(1) Agreement: Impossamole crosses the line, for me, and becomes less enjoyable due to its flaws. BUT, even if you fix the flaws, it remains an average game (at best). I beat this game many times because I was bored when I was a kid. I just wanted to see the giant last boss again.
(2) I have not spent much time with Shapeshifter, but I intend to one of these years
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(3) LA1 soundtrack is a TOP PCE soundtrack. You're so crazy
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I love you, but Legendary Axe is sweetness. I thought folks would complain about some of the enemies that get tricky when two appear on screen (axe-throwing dudes, big club-swinging dudes, bears), but it's just a matter of basic strategy and timing.
Or, I thoughts folks would whine about being thrown back upon being hit by an opponent...this is tricky on small platforms where you can fall to your death.
All standard platforming fare... nothing to complain about with all that. The hit-back thing is just frustrating level design, but it's totally legit. My only other real gripe with LA is that the jumping is a bit wonky, but they can't all get it right. It's not a game-breaker. Of course, the collision issue rears its ugly head when fighting more than one enemy as well... cheap hits abound all because the hit algorithm isn't designed to register more than one hit at once, and the character's a pussy to begin with who can't take many hits. In reality, if you slash a sword through the air and cut through two trees with it, reality doesn't only register the first tree and ignore the second.
Jumping is not a problem in this game. I think the only reason some folks complain is because they narrowly define jumping mechanics. Jumping in LA1, for me, does not detract from my enjoyment in the least. I am actually pretty finicky about jumping (many games fail to "nail it" when it comes to jumping). I think the Shockman/Shububinman series is atrocious in this regard. MegaMan II/DuckTales (NES) are much better.
Anyway, surely you love the sprites for the monkeys? Aren't they the cutest?
We must agree on something 
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I actually really dig the art style in LA. It's a little basic at times, but for the most part, it's nice. We've seen way worse on the PCE. Can't stand the NES-era music, but at least the visuals are up to snuff.
