Athena

Released by SNK in 1986, this action game follows Princess Athena of the Victory Kingdom, who wanders into the otherworldly "Fantasy World" and must thwart the ambitions of Emperor Dante to return home. A major innovation for an arcade title at the time was the progression system: starting with no equipment, the player must navigate through eight worlds, acquiring and swapping out a wide variety of weapons and armor to strengthen the protagonist along the way. Enjoy this grueling journey, where you must battle monsters under the constraint of a limited time, coupled with the satisfying depth of character growth. Please note that you can enter test mode by holding the 1P Start button during startup.

Bored with her mundane life in the Kingdom of Victory, Princess Athena passes through a forbidden door in the castle and steps into another world known as the "Fantasy World." To thwart the ambitions of Emperor Dante, who rules over this realm, she takes up various weapons and sets out on an adventure. Defeating the powerful enemies that block her path, Athena pushes through diverse worlds as she strives to return to her own.