Here is a neat comparison vid for Golden Axe. It takes you through all the versions! The most striking thing is that the Atari ST, Amiga, and Genesis versions share some of the same exact sound effects! Weird. I grew up with the Genesis version and recognized them immediately. Maybe it's the 68000? Does the Atari ST share the 68000 with the Genny and Amiga???
So, I watched this (and, yes, the person is: playing with an awkward keyboard, sucks at Golden Axe or is victim of poor hit detection...) and I felt compelled to watch...
...by the same fellow. Unfortunately, the PCE versions are not included in the roundup. Even more shocking, though, are the following observations about Altered Beast:
(1) There was an NES version?
(2) THERE WAS A GBA VERSION? (Refer to the 10:00 mark) And not only do the character designs in the GBA version range from mediocre to downright goofy, but our hero transforms into CONKER. Altered Beast? No, just a silly, goofy CONKER (see Conker at 10:30).
(3) I love the badass first boss in Altered Beast, and most versions try to capture his badassery (to varying degrees of success), but the GBA version offers us laughing buffoon from the Roman Legion who tosses shields at Conker (10:40). What were they thinking when they made this GBA version?
I never heard about the GBA version prior to 15 minutes ago, so forgive the fact that I am late to the party.