Set in the fantasy world of Tharros, Golden Axe The Duel pits two warriors, Tyris and Gorgar, against each other in a battle to determine who will be the champion. The story follows their journey as they face off against each other, with the fate of their respective realms hanging in the balance.
The gameplay revolves around one-on-one combat, with players able to perform a variety of attacks and special moves using a range of buttons on the controller. The game features a unique "dual-screen" system, where both characters' health bars are displayed side by side, allowing for strategic depth in battle. Players can also use environmental objects such as rocks and crates to gain an advantage over their opponent.