Step into the 80s classic Gauntlet — a co-op dungeon crawler that redefined arcades. Discover why this retro gem still captivates gamers today!
The 80s were an era when arcades ruled supreme, and quarters were the currency that every child needed to survive the weekend. And, in every darkened game room across the country, there was the cacophony of 8-bit digital sounds filling the air. Amid all of this electronic chaos, a legend was born. And, that legend was Gauntlet.
It was a game that you could hear long before you ever saw it in the aisle. There is that booming voice announcing to the world that the “Wizard is about to die!” or demanding that you “don’t shoot the food!” It was a sound that became the soundtrack for many weekend gamers who dared to venture out into the labyrinth depths of the local arcade.
But, Gauntlet wasn’t just another arcade game. It was a cultural touchstone. For many, it was the perfect dungeon-crawling co-op revolution that allowed friends to play with friends or even battle their greatest enemies. After all, it was a game that didn’t just require skill, it required teamwork, strategy, and trash talk.
Gauntlet perfectly nailed the 80s obsession with all things fantasy and adventure. It was a time when Dungeons & Dragons finally met the electronic era. After you sprinkle in a bit of neon magic, you get a game that didn’t just eat your quarters, it devoured them all weekend long.
The Basics: What Is Gauntlet?
- Title: Gauntlet
- Developer: Atari Games
- Publisher: Atari Games
- Release Date: 1985
- Genre: Dungeon crawler, action
- Platforms: Arcade, NES, Sega Master System, Atari ST, and many more
The Gameplay: A Maze of Mayhem
There you are, standing in front of a glowing, towering arcade cabinet that is begging you to drop in a quarter or 10. Choose your character wisely, do you want to be a Warrior, Wizard, Valkyrie, or Elf? Then suddenly, you’re plunged into a dungeon that is filled with goblins, ghosts, and a never-ending wave of enemies.
Although it was chaos, it was controlled chaos. Each one of the characters had its own unique strengths. So it was important to choose which character best represented your particular gameplay style.
The Warrior
The Warrior hit hard, but he was extremely slow. He was perfect for pummeling the enemy into submission. But, the enemy was so much faster.
The Wizard
The Wizard had a lot of spells to choose from and could fight off waves of enemies. But, if the ghouls got too close, he would certainly perish because he couldn’t take a punch.
The Valkyrie
The Valkyrie was a perfectly balanced warrior that was perfect for beginners. It could attack, and it was great on defense, and although he was quick, it wasn’t nearly as quick as the Elf. It also had a little bit of magic in its inventory to choose from.
The Elf
The elf was perfect for moving around quickly. In fact, the elves were the fastest on their feet, and they were great for ranged attacks. But, Elves did not do very well with close combat.
And, let’s not forget to talk about the gameplay itself. It was fast, it was frantic, and it was surprisingly strategic for the time. You are not just another mindless entity blasting monsters. You have to manage your health, find keys to open up doors and coordinate with your teammates to beat the final levels. Oh, and of course we can’t forget the food. Health was represented by roast chicken, which always seemed to appear just before your health bar ticked at zero.
Pro Tip
You can accidentally shoot the food, and doing so may kill you or your teammates, so be careful where you are aiming.
Cultural Impact: Why Gauntlet Ruled the Arcade
Gauntlet was one of the first games to nail the co-op multiplayer gameplay. Imagine going to an arcade that had once been filled with solo games. Back in those days, most games only allowed you to play one player at a time. In the early 80s, we began to see two-player game cabinets appearing in arcades across the country. But, Gauntlet was the first that allowed you to play with up to three friends.
That’s right, Gauntlet was the first arcade game for four players. It was a revolutionary idea that grew in popularity spawning future game cabinets like those used by the Ninja Turtles. As a result, gaming wasn’t just a solo affair, it quickly became a group activity. It became a social event where kids from all over the neighborhood could fight together as a team, for the glory of getting the highest score.
The fantasy theme itself was pure gold. You have to remember that this was the era of The Dark Crystal, Dungeons & Dragons, The Legend of Zelda, and so much more. This game allows you to tap into that collective obsession with wizards, warriors, and magical quests. It literally felt like you were stepping into your very own adventure that was filled with treasure chests, secret rooms, and enemies lurking around every corner.
The best part was, that it didn’t matter if you were a seasoned gamer or a first-timer, it was something perfect for everyone. The game itself was undeniably fun, and although it was difficult at times, the controls were simple and the action was constant.
And, we can’t keep forgetting to mention the cabinet itself. It was a beast. A four-player beast. Four joysticks. Four sets of buttons. And, have one of the loudest sound systems imaginable. The game didn’t just draw a crowd, it demanded people to gather around and watch as you take on the world.
Game Background: Behind the Scenes
The game itself was developed by Atari. But, the game was actually inspired by an earlier dungeon crawling game that was developed for 8-bit computer systems entitled Dandy. Designed by Ed Logg, he took the concept and simply ran with it. He created a more polished multiplayer-focused experience, that changed the gaming industry forever.
Of course, the development process wasn’t without its own challenges. It’s important to remember that games at the time were for solo players. So creating something that was designed to support four players at the same time was no small feat. The team had to design a wide array of levels that were both challenging and rewarding. All of this had to be done while balancing the four characters to ensure that the game remained fun even as the difficulty skyrocketed.
Then there was the memorable narrator. There is something about that iconic voice warning players about their low health, or encouraging them to save keys in order to open doors. This added a whole new layer of personality to the game. No longer was it just another dungeon crawler, it was a game with attitude.
Reception and Legacy: The Dungeon Never Closes
Gauntlet was first released back in 1985, and it quickly became a success. Players across the nation loved its multiplayer chaos, and the arcade owners loved how it just kept quarters flowing in. It wasn’t just a game, it was a phenomenon that changed how we played games forever.
Eventually, Gauntlet would be ported to home game consoles, bringing the experience into living rooms across the country. Granted, the graphics took a huge hit when compared to the arcade versions, and some of the multiplayer futures were definitely scaled back. But, the core of the gameplay still remained intact. For many players, Gauntlet was their first introduction to dungeon crawling games. And, it paved the way for future heads like Diablo and Baldur’s Gate
The game itself was such a beloved classic, that it has even been rereleased on modern gaming platforms. One of the biggest reboots occurred in 2014. Published by Warner Bros. and developed by Arrowhead Games, the 2014 reboot was released for Windows and the PlayStation 4.
FAQ: Your Questions About Gauntlet
Can I still play Gauntlet today?
Absolutely! Not only can you find it available through emulators, but you can also play Gauntlet on modern platforms like the PlayStation 4 or Steam.
What’s the best version of Gauntlet?
Without question, the arcade version is the definitive experience. But, they did do a really good job porting it for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Why does the narrator’s voice sound so iconic?
The voice itself added a whole new level of personality and tension to the game. It allowed the games to become more immersive and unforgettable.
Did Gauntlet inspire other games?
Without question, gauntlet inspired countless other games like Diablo and Baldur’s Gate
Why Gauntlet Still Matters
Gauntlet was so much more than just another game. It quickly became a piece of 80s history. It is a constant reminder of the time when arcades were magical, social spaces where friendships were forged and tested. It was a game that dared to do something completely different. And, it managed to seamlessly combine fast-paced action with cooperative gameplay in a way that had never been achieved before.
