Description

"Gauntlet" for the Nintendo NES, developed by Tengen in 1987, is an unlicensed port of the classic arcade game originally created by Atari Games. This top-down dungeon crawler allows players to traverse through numerous mazes while combating a variety of monsters including ghosts, grunts, demons, and sorcerers. The game stands out for its cooperative multiplayer mode, where up to two players can choose from four character classes - Warrior, Valkyrie, Wizard, and Elf - each with unique strengths and weaknesses. The primary objective is to navigate through the levels, managing limited health and collecting treasure, keys, and magical potions. The game is remembered for its frantic gameplay and the distinctive voice announcements, like the famous “Wizard needs food badly!”

The NES version of "Gauntlet," because it was not officially licensed by Nintendo, faced controversy leading to its rarity and unique distribution methods. Tengen, an offshoot of Atari, initially tried to get an official license from Nintendo but eventually decided to produce and release cartridges using their proprietary technology after bypassing Nintendo’s lock-out mechanism. This unlicensed status adds to the game’s appeal among collectors. The version itself is a technically impressive adaptation of the arcade game, maintaining much of the original's gameplay and spirit despite the hardware limitations of the NES. This edition of "Gauntlet" remains a sought-after collectible and a notable example in the history of third-party game development challenges.