The Axe (オノ Ono), also known as Hatchet and Big Axe, misnamed as Scythe (大鎌) in the PC Engine manual, is a weapon from the series that is mostly thrown in a 45 degree angle.
Ghosts 'n Goblins[]
Ghouls 'n Ghosts[]
The normal Axe is able to penetrate through objects, but only one at once can be thrown. It goes slighty diagonally and up, not straight forward like lance, daggers, etc.
With the Golden Armor, Arthur can use the Exploding Magic (爆裂の魔法). It causes explosions all around his position and burns up enemies in one fierce swoop. However, it's range is really short.
Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts[]
The normal Axe is a loop to loop forward like weapon. Confusing to use at first, but strong.
With the Bronze Armor or Golden Armor, it is upgraded into the Hefty Axe (両断のオノ, "Bisected Axe"), and Arthur will launch a sonic-boom like weapon, which goes a little up Arthur, to hit enemyes slighty above Arthur, then it goes forward, in the same way of normal Axe. Normal Axe and Hefty Axe can be thrown one per time, so be assured you hit the enemy.
With the Golden Armor Arthur can also use the Beam Magic (雷光の魔法). It releases eight energy beams in diagonal directions, but none of them will go up/down/left/right.
Makaimura for WonderSwan[]
Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights[]
The axe is a strong weapon that can pass by obstacles, but it has a short range and is slow, Arthur being able to thrown only one at a time and Lancelot two at a time. They can use its magic with the powerful armor.