data/claims/athena-history.yamlAthena (history and reception)
Game: Athena.
By Akagi Masumi's list of arcade games, SNK released Athena in Japan in July 1986. The list puts its sequel, Psycho Soldier, in March 1987. athena-history/arcade
国内編 (Japan), SNK (OCR text line 1700)86/07 アテナOur translation86/07 AthenaアーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · 国内編 (Japan), SNK (OCR text line 1709)87/03サイコソルジャーOur translation87/03 Psycho SoldierChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text only; the page images haven't been checked. The list gives year and month only and names no source for its dates. Both rows sit under the SNK heading, after 怒 (Ikari Warriors) in February 1986.
Cited by: Athena
SNK announced the Famicom Athena as a Disk Card game. In November 1986 Marukatsu Famicom expected it in late December at ¥3,300; by mid-December Famicom Tsushin and Marukatsu Famicom, and SNK's own advertisement in Family Computer Magazine's issue dated 2 January 1987, put it in late January 1987, its price not yet set. athena-history/famicom-announced
p. 107 (image 107), preview — read on image 107 by the image-check scout, with the price ¥3,300 and the disk marker12月下旬発売Our translationon sale late DecemberMarukatsu Famicom, 28 November 1986 · p. 107 (image 107), preview, release badge — not in the OCR; read on the page image (audit). The badge holding the price and date is a large "D", the magazine's Disk Card marker.¥3,300Famicom Tsushin, no. 13 (12 December 1986) · printed p. 96 (image 98), release schedule — read on image 98 by the image-check scout; the OCR reads エヌ as ヱヌアテナ〈エス・エヌ・ケイ〉Our translationAthena (SNK)Famicom Tsushin, no. 13 (12 December 1986) · printed p. 96 (image 98), release schedule — read on image 98 by the image-check scout; the OCR garbles the line1月下旬/価格未定(ディスクカード)Our translationlate January / price not set (Disk Card)Famicom Tsushin, no. 13 (12 December 1986) · printed p. 93 (image 95), 新着ゲーム通信 preview — read on image 95 by the image-check scout, with "価格未定(ディスクカード)"1月下旬発売予定Our translationplanned for late JanuaryMarukatsu Famicom, 12 December 1986 · p. 58 (image 58), preview — read on image 58 by the image-check scout, with the price not set and the disk marker1月下旬予定Our translationplanned for late JanuaryFamily Computer Magazine, no. 26 (2 January 1987) · p. 54 (image 54), SNK advertisement — read on image 54 by the image-check scout, with "価格未定" and the Disk System logo1月下旬発売予定Our translationplanned for late JanuaryRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The ad is Family Computer Magazine's issue dated 2 January 1987; the ¥3,300 disk price was read by the lead on the Marukatsu page image.The game came out as a cartridge (athena-history/famicom-cartridge); no source read says why.
Cited by: Athena
Family Computer Magazine's new-release calendar still marked the Famicom Athena as a disk game for early March 1987 in its 6 February issue. From April it listed a cartridge at ¥5,500: early May (3 April), mid-May (17 April), and finally 5 June (15 May). SNK's April advertisement gave early May, ¥5,500 and a 1-megabit ROM. athena-history/famicom-schedule
printed p. 150 (image 150), 新作カレンダー — read on image 150 by the image-check scout; ■ marks a disk game in the calendar's key■アテナ ★SNK♥3月上旬♣未定Our translation■ (disk) Athena, SNK, early March, price not setFamily Computer Magazine, 3 April 1987 (1987 no. 7) · printed p. 154 (image 154), 新作カレンダー — read on image 154 by the image-check scout; ● marks a cartridge●アテナ ★SNK♥5月上旬♣5500円Our translation● (cassette) Athena, SNK, early May, ¥5,500Family Computer Magazine, 17 April 1987 (1987 no. 8) · image 146, 新作カレンダー — read on image 146 by the image-check scout●アテナ ★SNK♥5月中旬♣5500円Our translation● (cassette) Athena, SNK, mid-May, ¥5,500Family Computer Magazine, 15 May 1987 (1987 no. 10) · image 145, カレンダー — read on image 145 by the image-check scout, under the calendar's 5 June heading●アテナ ★SNK♥6月5日♣5500円Our translation● (cassette) Athena, SNK, 5 June, ¥5,500Family Computer Magazine, 3 April 1987 (1987 no. 7) · image 111, SNK advertisement — read on image 111 by the image-check scout, with "価格5,500円" and "1メガMロム使用" (uses a 1-megabit ROM)5月初旬発売Our translationon sale early MayChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The calendars give planned dates, so none of them confirms the day the cartridge went on sale.
Cited by: Athena
SNK published the Famicom version on a cartridge, catalog number SFX-AT, its manual carrying a 1987 copyright for SNK Electronics and the address of SNK's Osaka head office. The manual says the game is for one player, and that two can't take turns. athena-history/famicom-cartridge
image 2, opening note — read on image 2 by the image-check scout; the OCR reads "(5SFX-AT)"カセット"アテナ"(SFX-AT)Our translationthe cassette "Athena" (SFX-AT)Athena (Famicom) instruction manual, SNK · back cover (image 16)1987 SNK ELECTRONICS CORP.Athena (Famicom) instruction manual, SNK · back cover (image 16) — the address goes on "丸萬ビル602号" (Maruman Building, room 602), read on image 16 by the image-check scout大阪本社 〒564 大阪府吹田市豊津町14-10号Our translationOsaka head office, 14-10 Toyotsu-chō, Suita, Osaka 564Athena (Famicom) instruction manual, SNK · printed p. 3 (image 4), コントローラーの操作方法 — read on image 4 by the image-check scout; the OCR garbles the lineこのゲームは1プレイヤー用です。(2人で交互にプレイできません。)Our translationThis game is for one player. (Two people can't play in turns.)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The manual names no developer.
Cited by: Athena
Every Famicom Athena came with an original music tape, SNK's April 1987 advertisement said, holding the game's music and the theme and ending of Athena II, Psycho Soldier. athena-history/famicom-tape
image 111, SNK advertisement — read on image 111 by the image-check scout; the OCR reads テープ as テーブファミコンアテナにもれなく付いて来るオリジナル・ミュージックテープOur translationthe original music tape that comes with every Famicom AthenaFamily Computer Magazine, 3 April 1987 (1987 no. 7) · image 111, SNK advertisementアテナII(サイコ・ソルジャー)のテーマ曲・エンディング曲Our translationthe theme and ending tunes of Athena II (Psycho Soldier)Family Computer Magazine, 3 April 1987 (1987 no. 7) · image 111, SNK advertisement株式会社エス・エヌ・ケイOur translationSNK Co., Ltd.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The same text runs in the 17 April issue's advertisement (image 99, read in the OCR only). The Internet Archive item athena-fc-hiresscans holds scans of the tape.
Cited by: Athena
In the Famicom manual Athena is the princess of the Kingdom of Victory. She slips out of her dull life in the castle for the fantasy world where Emperor Dante reigns, and his underlings block her way. athena-history/famicom-story
printed p. 2 (image 3), story — read on image 3 by the image-check scoutビクトリー国の王女、私がアテナOur translationThe princess of the Kingdom of Victory, I am AthenaAthena (Famicom) instruction manual, SNK · printed p. 2 (image 3), story — read on image 3 by the image-check scout; the OCR garbles the lineこっそり、たいくつなお城の生活からぬけ出して、帝王ダンテの君臨する幻想界へ旅立ったの。Our translationI slipped out of my dull life in the castle and set off for the fantasy world where Emperor Dante reigns.Athena (Famicom) instruction manual, SNK · printed p. 2 (image 3), story — read on image 3 by the image-check scout帝王ダンテの手下達が、次々に現われてアテナの行く手をはばんじゃうんだから。Our translationEmperor Dante's underlings appear one after another and block Athena's way.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Athena
Athena came out for the NES in North America in August 1987, with SNK as licensee. athena-history/release-nes
PDF p. 1 — the row gives title, licensee, and month, not a day; the PDF's text layer prints the columns apartAthena SNK August 1987Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Athena
SNK Corporation of America, of Sunnyvale, California, published the NES cartridge (NES-AN-USA). Its manual carries a 1987 copyright for SNK Corp. of America and was printed in Japan. athena-history/nes-makers
front cover (image 1)NES-AN-USAAthena (NES) instruction manual · back cover (image 16) — read on image 16 by the image-check scout; the OCR reads the commas as periodsSNK CORPORATION OF AMERICA 246 SOBRANTE WAY, SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA 94086Athena (NES) instruction manual · back cover (image 16)© 1987 SNK CORP. OF AMERICA PRINTED IN JAPANChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The manual names no programmers or developer.
Cited by: Athena
In the NES manual Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, tells her own story: weary of her dull life in the castle, she sets out into the Fantasy World, where she can find weapons, take to the sky with wings, and become a mermaid to explore the ocean depths. athena-history/nes-story
printed p. 4, The StoryI am ATHENA. They call me the Goddess of Wisdom, but I have grown weary of my dull life in the castle.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4, The StoryI will find weapons along the way: a ball and chain, a bow and arrow, or a mighty sword will be my defense!Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4, The StoryIn the Fantasy World, I can put on wings and take to the sky, or become a mermaid to explore the ocean depths.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4, The StoryThere, the Goddess of Wisdom can become the Princess of Victory!Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the story's line about finding weapons along the way.Cited by: Athena
On the NES, the A button dodges enemies and breaks brick and rock walls, and is used together with the control pad when Athena is underwater or in the sky. B picks up weapons; without one, Athena kicks. Select shows the objects collected so far. The game is for one player only. athena-history/nes-controls
printed p. 5, The Controller — the A buttonPress to dodge enemies or to break brick and rock walls.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 5, The Controller — the A button's second sentenceWhen ATHENA is underwater or in the sky, use this button together with the Control Pad.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 5, The Controller — the B buttonPress to pick up Weapons. At the beginning of the game, ATHENA kicks without any Weapons.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 5, The Controller — the Select buttonPress once to display objects thus far collected.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 5, The ControllerThis game is only for one player. You cannot alternate with another player.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the manual's line that the A button works with the pad underwater or in the sky.The Famicom manual gives the same layout: its A button jumps (ジャンプ), and B uses the weapon Athena holds or kicks when she has none (athena-famicom-manual-jp, image 5, read on the page image by the image-check scout).
Cited by: Athena
The NES screen shows the score, a life gauge that falls with each hit, a timer, Athena's strength (attack) and hit points (defense), and her remaining lives. Athena dies when the life gauge reaches 0 or the timer reaches 00. Destroying enemies and picking up money bags score points. athena-history/nes-screen
printed p. 6, Screen DisplaysScore points by destroying enemies and picking up Money Bags.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 6, Screen DisplaysDecreases each time ATHENA is hit. When it reaches "0", ATHENA dies.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 6, Screen DisplaysCounts down as you play. When it reaches "00", ATHENA dies.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 6, Screen DisplaysShows ATHENA's attacking power.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 6, Screen DisplaysShows ATHENA's defense power.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 6, Screen DisplaysNumber of ATHENAs: Shows how many ATHENAs you have.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the manual's line for the lives count.Cited by: Athena
At a certain stage of the game Life Flowers appear. Smashed by kicking or with a weapon, they release Life Hearts, each adding 1 to the life gauge, and sometimes Crystal Hearts, which add 2. athena-history/nes-life-flowers
printed p. 7, Life FlowersAt a certain stage of the game. Life Flowers appear.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 7, Life FlowersWhenever you find Life Flowers, smash them by kicking or using Weapons. Life Hearts will then appear.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 7, Life FlowersEach Life Heart that you catch adds 1 to your Life Gauge.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 7, Life FlowersSometimes Crystal Hearts appear; catching them will add 2 to your Life Gauge.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Life Flower lines; the stage is "a certain stage", as printed.The Famicom manual says a Crystal Heart extends the gauge's scale itself by two (ライフゲージの目盛自体が2ゲージずつ増), read on image 8 by the image-check scout.
Cited by: Athena
Weapons appear when Athena destroys enemies or breaks rock and brick walls. The NES manual lists a billy club, a sword that turns blue, yellow, then red as its power grows, an iron ball and chain, a bow and arrow, a hammer, a magic stick, a fire sword, a fire arrow, an arrow, a magic scroll, and the magic book, the strongest magic. athena-history/nes-weapons
printed p. 8, WeaponsDestroying enemies or breaking rock and brick walls causes various Weapons to appear.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 8, Weapons — the OCR interleaves the line with the billy-club entry beside itSword changes to … three colors as power … increases.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 8, Weapons — the iron ball and chainUse to destroy enemies at a distance, and to break rock and brick walls with one blow.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 9, WeaponsMagic Book: The strongest Magic Power.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 8, WeaponsBilly Club:Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 8, WeaponsBow and Arrow: Use to destroy enemies at a distance.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 8, WeaponsHammer: Use to destroy enemies, and to break rock and brick walls with one blow.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 8, WeaponsMagic Stick: Fires Magic Power.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 9, WeaponsFire Sword: Fire from this sword expands to destroy enemies and break rock and brick walls at a wide range.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 9, WeaponsFire Arrow: Powerful attack with Flaming Bow and Arrow. Arrow: More powerful than Bow and Arrow.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 9, WeaponsMagic Scroll: Extra-strong Magic Power.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the manual's weapon names.Cited by: Athena
Defense objects come in three grades, green, blue and yellow: helmets that let Athena break rock and brick walls by jumping, armor for three levels of defense, and shields against frontal attack, the yellow Lion's Shield the strongest. athena-history/nes-defense
printed p. 10, Defense ObjectsUse to break rock and brick walls by jumping. Helmets increase in power from green to blue to yellow.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 10, Defense ObjectsFor three levels of defense power.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 10, Defense ObjectsFor strongest protection against frontal attack.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Athena
Breaking walls also reveals treasures: money bags for score, a magic lamp that opens the way to the next world from a hidden room, an hourglass that extends the time, a shell necklace that turns Athena into a mermaid, and a Pegasus wing that lets her fly. Passing through the K-mark slate keeps her weapons and treasures for the next level; destroying it kills her and loses them. athena-history/nes-objects
printed p. 11, Other Objects — the hidden treasuresBreaking rock and brick walls will reveal them.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 11, Other ObjectsMoney Bag: Increases your score.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 11, Other Objects — the magic lampAllows you to enter the next world from the hidden room.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 12, Other Objects — the hourglassExtends your time.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 12, Other Objects — the shell necklaceChanges ATHENA into a mermaid.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 12, Other Objects — the Pegasus wingGives ATHENA flying ability.Athena (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 12, Other ObjectsMove through the K- Mark and ATHENA keeps Weapons and Treasures at next level of play. Destroy the K-Mark and ATHENA dies and loses all that she has gained.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the treasure and money-bag lines.The manual also lists Ciba's Mirror, the Wisdom Crown and the Fighter's Ring, which strengthen defense objects or weapons, and a poison vase and an anti-poison vase it doesn't explain. Its page on enemies (printed p. 13) has no text layer. The Famicom manual says the K item also allows a continue when the game ends (athena-famicom-manual-jp, image 13, read on the page image by the image-check scout).
Cited by: Athena
Computer Entertainer reviewed the NES version in September 1987 as SNK's latest, a long way from the military heroics of Ikari Warriors. It found Athena "a good adventure, though not a great one", and thought young girls would especially appreciate a heroine in place of the usual hero. athena-history/ce-review
p. 10, Athena reviewis the latest from SNK Corp., and it certainly is a long way conceptually from the macho-man military heroics of "Ikari Warriors,"Computer Entertainer, vol. 6, no. 6 (September 1987) · p. 10, Athena reviewWe found ATHENA a good adventure, though not a great one,Computer Entertainer, vol. 6, no. 6 (September 1987) · p. 10, Athena review — the review prints "alter ago"We think that young girls will especially appreciate having a heroine as an alter ago instead of the usual hero.Computer Entertainer, vol. 6, no. 6 (September 1987) · p. 10, Athena review(Solo play; Pause; Continuation feature.)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in a Tesseract OCR of the scan made for this pass (the cached text layer was empty); the page image hasn't been checked. The review ends "MSR $39.95" with no recommendation line.
Cited by: Athena
Computer Entertainer gave the NES version three stars of four for graphics and three for game play. athena-history/ce-score
Value
{
"review": "Computer Entertainer",
"of": 4,
"scores": {
"graphics": 3,
"game play": 3
}
}p. 10, Athena review, heading — read on the p. 10 page image by the image-check scout; the OCR reads the stars as "(xxx/x%xx)"ATHENA (★★★/★★★)Computer Entertainer, vol. 6, no. 6 (September 1987) · p. 2, the rating system — the key's first set of stars rates graphics, the second game play and entertainment value4 STARS = EXCELLENTChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Athena
Athena came out for the 48K and 128K Spectrum at £7.95 on the Imagine label, with Ocean as producer. Crash's October 1987 issue expected it at the end of September. athena-history/spectrum-release
p. 44 (image 44), The Crash SamplerATHENA Ocean. End September £7.95Sinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 46, Athena review, facts boxLabel: ImagineSinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 46, Athena review, facts boxMemory: 48K/128KYour Sinclair, issue 23 (November 1987) · image 93, subscription offerSeven worlds of hyperfast action await you in this Speccy version of the SNK arcade classic. Worth £7.95Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text; the page images haven't been checked. The Crash Sampler item sits in a feature on the issue's cover tape. Your Sinclair's November 1987 subscription offer gave Athena away free, with other Ocean and Imagine games.
Cited by: Athena
Andrew Deakin and Iran Horne wrote the Spectrum version: Sinclair User credits Horne with the graphics and Deakin with the gameplay. athena-history/spectrum-makers
image 46, Athena review, facts box — read on image 46 by the image-check scout, the name as printed; checked again on the page image (audit)Authors: Andrew Deakin, Iran HorneSinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 47, Athena review, Programmers box — not in the OCR; read on the page image (audit). The box adds that both were relatively new to programming professionally, with Labyrinthian (Alligata, 1986) and Megabucks (Firebird, 1987) to their names.For Athena Andrew concentrated on the gameplay and Iran did the graphics.Crash, issue 45 (October 1987) · p. 21 (image 21), Athena review, facts boxAuthor: Andrew DeakinCrash, issue 45 (October 1987) · p. 21 (image 21), Athena review, facts boxProducer: OceanRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted Sinclair User's programmers box, read by the lead on the page image.Crash's box names Deakin alone. No folio is printed on Sinclair User's two review pages.
Cited by: Athena
Crash gave the Spectrum version 75% overall in October 1987. Its three reviewers split: Ben gave it 60%, Ricky 80%, and Nick 86%. athena-history/crash-score
Value
{
"review": "Crash",
"of": 100,
"scores": {
"overall": 75,
"presentation": 85,
"graphics": 80,
"playability": 62,
"addictive qualities": 61
}
}p. 86 (image 86), Psycho Soldier review — the review of the sequel recalls the score(75% Overall In Issue 45)Crash, issue 45 (October 1987) · p. 21 (image 21), Athena review, ratings box — read on image 21 by the image-check scout, with presentation 85%, graphics 80%, playability 62% and addictive qualities 61%, and the reviewers' own marks Ben 60%, Ricky 80% and Nick 86%; the OCR loses the percentagesOVERALL 75%Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Athena
Sinclair User's October 1987 review found Athena "an all-round good game", played over six worlds. Athena begins with only her uppercut and builds up her weapons, and clears blocking rock "in a sort of bizarre varient on Boulderdash". The reviewer liked the two-color graphics' detail and found that "It won't win any awards for great innovations". athena-history/su-review
image 46, Athena reviewlet's hope the same fate doesn't befall Athena it's an all-round good game.Sinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 47, Athena reviewThe game is played over six worlds - forest, sea, sky, ice, fire and hell.Sinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 47, Athena reviewIn a sort of bizarre varient on Boulderdash, Athena often has to clear vast amounts of landscape which block her pathSinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 47, Athena reviewGraphics, though two-colour are pretty good with a fair amount of detail in both the sprites and backgrounds.Sinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 47, Athena reviewIt won't win any awards for great innovations, but definitely take a look at itSinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 46, Athena reviewIn Athena you begin on uppercut power alone, but gradually build upChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text, which is clean on these lines; the page images haven't been checked. The review's list of worlds differs from Imagine's advertisement (athena-history/imagine-ad), and the reviewer says the second level is set in caverns.
Cited by: Athena
Sinclair User described five lives and a time limit on each level, and a continue: with time left after the fifth life is lost, pressing Y within 10 seconds restores five lives. On the 48K Spectrum each world loads from tape. athena-history/su-review-details
image 47, Athena reviewYou get five lives in the usual way but have to complete each level within a time limit.Sinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 47, Athena reviewPress Y within 10 seconds and you're back to five lives again.Sinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · image 47, Athena reviewbecause in 48K you have to load it from tape.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Athena
Sinclair User printed its Athena review by Graham Taylor without its star rating. Answering a reader in December 1987, it said Athena should have had eight stars. athena-history/su-stars
Value
{
"review": "Sinclair User",
"of": 10,
"scores": {
"overall": 8
}
}image 22, letters — a letter from Nick Hackett of Staffordshire, about Athena "reviewed last month"Graham Taylor gave the game a good review, and I haven't seen a game with no stars before.Sinclair User, issue 69 (December 1987) · image 22, lettersif anyone's interested Athena should have got eight stars.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The eight stars are glossed by gauntlet-ii-history/su-score's scale line; displayed as 8 stars.The reply blames the man standing in for the one who "sticks the stars on". The review ran in the October issue (image 46). Read in the OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked.
Cited by: Athena
Zzap!64 reviewed the Commodore 64 version, from Imagine at £8.95 on cassette, joystick only, in November 1987. Its review set the game over six scrolling levels with two exits each, one guarded by a huge sentinel, against a timer. athena-history/zzap-review
p. 17 (image 17), Athena review — read on image 17 by the image-check scout; the OCR reads "Ima^jne, £6.95 cass, jaystjck only"Imagine, £8.95 cass, joystick onlyZzap!64, issue 31 (November 1987) · p. 17 (image 17), Athena reviewThe world is comprised of six different scrolling levelsZzap!64, issue 31 (November 1987) · p. 17 (image 17), Athena reviewEach level is graced by two exitsChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The three reviewers sign with initials only (S.J., J.R. and P.S.).
Cited by: Athena
Zzap!64 rated the Commodore 64 version 76% overall, "A tough, but enjoyable arcade adventure which has its moments". athena-history/zzap-score
Value
{
"review": "Zzap!64",
"of": 100,
"scores": {
"overall": 76,
"presentation": 78,
"graphics": 75,
"sound": 69,
"hookability": 76,
"lastability": 70
}
}p. 17 (image 17), ratings box — read on image 17 by the image-check scout, with presentation 78%, graphics 75%, sound 69%, hookability 76% and lastability 70%; the OCR reads "OVERALL 76\"/!"OVERALL 76%Zzap!64, issue 31 (November 1987) · p. 17 (image 17), ratings box — the OCR reads "A luugh. but enjoyable arcade adventure which has tts moments."A tough, but enjoyable arcade adventure which has its moments.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Athena
Imagine's December 1987 advertisement sold Athena and its sequel Psycho Soldier for the Spectrum at £7.95 and the Commodore and Amstrad at £8.95 each. Its copy sends Athena through the worlds of forest, cavern, sky, sea, labyrinth and hell, each with its own guardian, to the last world and its evil guardian. athena-history/imagine-ad
p. 26 (image 26), advertisement — printed twice, once under each gameSPECTRUM £7.95 COMMODORE £8.95 AMSTRAD£8.95Sinclair User, issue 69 (December 1987) · p. 26 (image 26), advertisementthe last world is seven worlds away on a long and dangerous journey through the worlds of forest, cavern, sky, sea, labyrinth and hell,Sinclair User, issue 69 (December 1987) · p. 26 (image 26), advertisement — the opening of the Psycho Soldier copyAthena isn't finished yetRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The ad names Commodore, not the Commodore 64; checked on the page image.Checked on the page image (audit): the worlds copy runs under the Athena title, the Psycho Soldier copy under its own, and the ad names the machine only as "COMMODORE". The advertisement is the publisher's.
Cited by: Athena
Psycho Soldier, the arcade sequel, reached the Spectrum through Imagine too. Crash reviewed it in February 1988 as the sequel to Imagine's Athena, with Athena again battling through a six-level world. athena-history/psycho-soldier
p. 86 (image 86), Psycho Soldier review — the OCR reads "sequel to imagine'^ AtheftS (75% Overall In Issue 45)"sequel to imagineCrash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 86 (image 86), Psycho Soldier review — the OCR reads the line "the voluptuous Athena is ofxw again baitingi through a dangarai» six- leval world"voluptuous Athena isCrash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 86 (image 86), Psycho Soldier review, facts box — the OCR's reading of ImagineProducer: ImagirveChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked. The facts box credits "Source Ltd" as authors in the OCR.
Cited by: Athena