Gauntlet Arcade Game
ColecoVision to iPhone Games Part 19
In this ongoing look at significant moments in the history of video game design, we have already taken a look at Bungie’s Halo & Halo 2, Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series, Nintendo’s Metroid and several others. The goal of this series is to go beyond simple gaming magazines and iPhone App Reviews, and take a closer look at what defines memorability and quality in game design. In this nineteenth part of the series we will examine some more of those classic moments where video game designers undoubtedly got it right and delivered a memorable, enduring and progressive gaming experience.
Gauntlet (Arcade) – Developed by Atari and unleashed to arcades in 1985, Gauntlet was an absolute revelation. For starters, the game cabinet was absolutely huge, dwarfing the other machines of the day. Upon first glance, Gauntlet was already demanding the player to take notice. Among its many firsts, Gauntlet was the first arcade game to have a class system, as users could choose among a wizard, warrior, elf and valkyrie, each with their own strengths (magic, strength, speed, defense) and weaknesses (poor defense, poor magic, poor hand to hand ability, no true strength). It was also the first game that allowed four player simultaneous play, as teams of players could often be seen loading up the game with quarters before starting their journey. With Gauntlet, unlike any other game to that point and like few since, the players could feed the machine quarters in exchange for more health and magic. This became an actual necessity, as health would drain from players over time. Gauntlet was also one of the first games to feature voices, and certainly the first to feature such a large amount of them. Arcade players will forever remember the game crying out such classics as, “Wizard needs food, badly!” or “Valkyrie is about to die!” Although created with a voice chip and not actually sampled from a human, these sounds were accurate and served to immerse the player even deeper into the experience.
In focusing on Gauntlet, many areas of the game volunteer themselves for a place in this article series. As mentioned, the game offered a very unique arcade experience. The characters were varied, the sounds a leap forward, and the cooperative nature of gameplay upped the ante in several ways. However, since it is the theme of this series to isolate a single component of a game, we will single out the game’s multiplayer component.
In surveying the videogame landscape at the time of Gauntlet’s release, multiplayer games were in no way an anomaly. However, multiplayer games that allowed for simultaneous play were just about non -existent. By allowing players to quest together, the developers not only exponentially increased their potential earnings, they created a sort of digital Dungeons & Dragons experience, with the voice samples serving as a sort of Dungeon Master. Gauntlet machines of the time could often be found with all four joysticks occupied, with over $20 worth of quarters pre-loaded, as the well equipped heroes would set off on their journey to complete the game’s incredibly long and challenging quest. This multiplayer component went far beyond a mere quarter grabbing gimmick, however, as true team work was required in order to proceed through the game’s ever more difficult labyrinths. Giving up food for a teammate in need, casting a spell at just the right time, and creating enemy diversions so a player could make it to an exit point were just some of the ways in which teamwork could be used to the players’ advantage in this epic arcade game.
For making them a group activity, introducing what were – at the time – astounding technical and game design progressions to, and providing a challenge worthy of the most skilled gamer (or four person team of gamers), Gauntlet has forever earned its place alongside the all time greats in arcade game history.
About the Author
Frank Taylor writes on behalf of AppsPatrol. He recommends you visit AppsPatrol for your iPhone App Reviews, iPhone Game Reviews and iPhone Apps.
Gauntlet – Arcade
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Atari GAUNTLET LEGENDS 39″ Video Arcade Game Original Manual $15.95 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET LEGENDS 4 PLAYER ARCADE VIDEO GAME ~~ ~Huge Profits~ $595.00 |
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Gauntlet II 2 w/ Manual PC classic arcade dungeon game! $34.99 |
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GAUNTLET DARK LEGACY sign marquee check picture arcade video game part F7 $24.00 |
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Gauntlet / Rampart (Nintendo Game Boy Advance, 2005) Arcade Classic Hits Rare $4.62 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET 4 player Arcade Video Game OPERATORS MANUAL & SCHEMATICS $19.95 |
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GAUNTLET ATARI original arcade game owners manual $24.00 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET LEGENDS COIN-OP ARCADE GAME-VERY NICE. $649.00 |
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Atari GAUNTLET Video Arcade Game Original Operators & Schematic Manual $19.75 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Gauntlet T-Shirt Video Game Retro Nintendo Arcade Atari Sega $15.99 |
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Working Konami Dark Adventure Arcade Game similar gameplay to Atari Gauntlet $365.00 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET II VIDEO ARCADE GAME FLYER BROCHURE 1986 $44.75 |
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Gauntlet Tiger Electronic Handheld Arcade Game $40.49 |
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1990s TIGER GAUNTLET ELECTRONIC HANDHELD LCD TRAVEL VINTAGE TENGEN ARCADE GAME $35.96 |
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Gauntlet Legends Arcade Adventure 4 player game $1,695.00 |
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Gauntlet (Nintendo, 1987) Classic NES Arcade Game $3.99 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET DARK LEGACY ORIGINAL MINT NOS VIDEO ARCADE GAME SALES FLYER 2000 $8.75 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET LEGENDS ORIGINAL NOS VIDEO ARCADE GAME SALES FLYER BROCHURE 1998 $8.75 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET LEGENDS ORIGINAL NOS VIDEO ARCADE GAME FLYER BROCHURE 1-SIDED ‘98 $9.75 |
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GAUNTLET DARK LEGACY Upright Arcade Game FANTASY WOW! $795.00 |
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GAUNTLET LEGENDS 39″ Upright Arcade Game-JOURNEY THROUGH FOUR FANTASY WORLDS! $995.00 |
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NOS Midway Atari GAUNTLET LEGENDS control panel overlay for video arcade game! $24.99 |
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ATARI GAUNTLET LEGENDS VIDEO ARCADE GAME OPERATION MANUAL ORIGINAL 1988 + UPDATE $14.75 |
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Gauntlet Atari Video Arcade 4-Player Game Cabinet 100% Functional and Working $599.99 |
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Gauntlet Legends $50.00 This is the game Gauntlet Legends for the Nintendo 64. This is cartridge only and is used or preplayed. All of our N64 nintendo games are cleaned tested and guaranteed to work. We stand by our products and offer a 60 day guarantee. If a game does not work within 60 days from the time you receive it we will gladly exchange it for you… |
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Gauntlet: Dark Legacy $19.22 Newly optimized for GameCube, Gauntlet: Dark Legacy is the all-new iteration of the 3-D time-honored hack-’n'-slash arcade classic Gauntlet. The game design allows players to work as a team as they venture through eight worlds. One to four players can select one of eight different characters. Using force of arms and exotic magical powers, players vanquish creatures, search for treasure, evade trap… |
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Gauntlet: Dark Legacy $35.41 Cooperative play is more important than ever as players can now work together to perform devastating special combos. Intricate levels and enchanting characters are all a feast for the eyes. Again, do battle with the dreaded undead legions in the continuation of Gauntlet Legends! Live up to your status as a Legend with Gauntlet Dark Legacy!… |
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Run The Gauntlet: A Driv3r Film Event (Blockbuster Action, High Speed Thrills and Seedy Underworld of Driv3r All Begin Here, With This Official Driv3r Bonus DVD) $18.25 Featuring: Run The Gauntlet, the complete DRIV3R film event. Film commentary by Run The Gauntlet director Sean Mullens and effects supervisor Carl Seibert. Running the Gauntlet, the behind-the-scenes look at the making of Run the Gauntlet. Full length DRIV3R trailer…. |
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Serious Sam 3: BFE [Download] $39.99 … |
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Serious Sam 2 [Download] $9.99 … |
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Serious Sam 3: BFE – 4 Pack [Download] $159.96 … |
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Gauntlet Legends Arcade Game This is the sequel to the original Gauntlet. This game came out in 1999, and has great 3d graphics and sound…. |
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Gauntlet Arcade Game One of the first 4 player arcade games, it was extremely popular in 1986 when it came out. This cabinet is in very good condition…. |
