Gauntlet Legends

Download Gauntlet Legends and delve into the world of dungeon crawling and monster slaying! Choose your hero, battle hordes of enemies, and discover hidden treasures. Embark on a legendary quest and play now!
a game by Midway, and Atari Co.
Genres: Action, Adventure/RPG
Platforms: Dreamcast, Nintendo 64Nintendo 64, Playstation
Editor Rating: 6.8/10, based on 6 reviews
User Rating: 7.7/10 - 6 votes
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See also: Gauntlet Games

If you've always wanted to play the arcade version of Gauntlet Legends but couldn't muster up enough energy to get up off your couch, you'll be happy to know it's coming home to the Nintendo 64 by way of Atari Games and Midway.

Legends is a modem 3D take on the classic '80s arcade series--same basic feel, same basic gameplay. There are still keys and chests filled with magic and food to discover, monsters and monster generators to destroy and multiple exits to find. There's also that familiar booming voice from the heavens that tells you when you need some food or when you're about to die. And there are the same four classes of characters to choose from: warrior, valkyrie, magician and archer.

Of course, there's a lot about the game that's different from the original, too. Most obvious, the graphics and level designs are completely 3D, with loads of lighting effects for magic and in the environments. According to Scot Amos, producer for Atari Games, the N64 version can handle four players on screen and as many enemies, objects and magical effects they can throw at it without a problem. In fact, the most recent version features the four main players and more than 25 enemies, and still runs at 30 fps.

In addition to visuals, gameplay has been upgraded a bit. Besides the usual hack and slash-type moves, characters now have special moves which can be used once his/her power bar has built up. For example, one character sends a fiery phoenix toward the enemy while another uses a BFG (the gun from Doom). On top of the action, some levels have a puzzle-esque the-e-mostly a "hit this switch here to reveal a sv. itch here, which in turn opens a door over there" type of thing.

The game is made ip of four main worlds (themed mountain, castle, forest and pyramid), and two endgame boss levels. Eac world is composed of five to six levels (some of v.-ich are console-exclusive) and a couple of secret levels, all of which can be accessed through four world hubs.

So does this console port feature enhancements to the arcade version of Gauntlet Legends? You bet your sweet axe it does. There are new player characters, secret characters, new enemies and bosses. In addition, a deathmatch mode allows players to go up against each other for points, treasure and gear. Consequently, the N64 edition has one- to four-player support for all game modes.

Like the arcade version, players can save characters in order to build up experience, items and gold. But with this home game, you can save your player on your Controller Pak, so you can take it to a friend's house and use it there.

  • MANUFACTURER - Atari Games
  • THEME - ACTION
  • NUMBER OF PLAYERS - 1-4

Download Gauntlet Legends

Dreamcast

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Nintendo 64

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

People say:

7

When I first played Gauntlet Legends in the arcade, I didn't like it. The whole concept of your life meter ticking away with the seconds no matter what you do just seemed really cheap to me. Luckily that idea is completely out the window in the DC version. Legends makes a much better home game than an arcade game. Graphically, it's excellent--super vibrant colors, no slowdown (even with four players), huge levels and hard bosses. Don't think that it's hack and slash all the way through, either, because you've got to build your character up by collecting gold to buy strength and through fighting experience. If you don't build up your character correctly, you could find yourself stuck on a boss character and have to redo previous levels in order to rack up health and experience. Unlike most arcade games these days, Legends has a huge amount of levels, each with its own challenges and enemies--some of which are the most annoying little bastards I've ever seen. They've packed every conceivable environment into this game as they could. The only problem I have is that it's not always clear when you've missed anything in the levels. Midway has captured the old-school gameplay of Gauntlet in 36 perfectly, and made the necessary changes and improvements to the game to make it a fantastic home game. If hack-'n'-slash dungeon action with a dash of action RPG gameplay is your thing, this is your game.

6

Go figure: I really didn't enjoy this game very much in arcades because of its slow, methodical pace, but it is exactly that characteristic that makes it a much better home video game. Gauntlet Legend's slowpaced action is a nice change-up to what I'm used to--it's something you can really relax and play. The best thing about the game (college kids pay attention now) is that it's four-player capability lends itself perfectly to a few friends lounging around while downing a few beers--I could even think of a few decent drinking games (while one guy drinks, the other three protect him.) Those bad habits aside, it's worth your time to check this one out.

5

Although it's an excellent port of the arcade game, it's hard for me to get excited about Legends. Yes multiplayer is fun for a bit--with so many different power-ups and items there are lots of opportunities for teamwork or screwing over your friends, and building up your character's abilities RPG-style is cool. But ultimately there just isn't enough technique or skill involved, so the game boils down to a pretty straightforward hack-and-slash action game. That'd be fine if it was fast-paced and exciting, but alt the backtracking and getting lost trying to find switches grinds the game to a halt way too often. Rent it with friends if you liked it in the arcade.

Midway isn't wasting any time bringing Atari's latest quarter-muncher to the home arena. When the medieval role-playing action of Gauntlet Legends hits the Nintendo 64 and the PlayStation, you can expect everything you loved about the arcade hit plus more, more, more! There's hardly an element of the arcade version that won't be enhanced.

For starters, the game's original four characters will be joined by three new ones. Four players can battle their way through the N64 dungeons together, while two can team up to tackle the PlayStation. Not that catacombs are all you'll each are planned for plenty of long-term questing. Midways also adding more enemies and new bosses as well as a 3D map to help you out. Most intriguing is the Gauntlet Death-match where players duke it out with each other for both glory and gold. But does this classic action-oriented franchise have a sharp enough blade to cut through the RPG-laden home market? Watch for a future Hands-On preview for more information.

Midway, known for sweeping nostalgic gamers off their feet with remakes of classics (like Rampage), is now focusing on the '80s coin-eater. Gauntlet Gamers who've seen Gauntlet Legends in the arcades already know that Midway has built a 3D engine around the original game and given it a 3/4-overhead isometric view. You can still play as the warrior, wizard, archer, or valkyrie while you run around and hack a bunch of ghouls, scorpions, and other miscreants--but Legends is better looking than its mid-80s inspiration thanks to enhanced 3D graphics. The game also supports four players in deathmatch and cooperative modes.

Although ported from the arcade, Gauntlet Legends for the Nintendo 64 will have some significant changes, including multiple paths, secret characters, and three new levels. In the preview version we played, the graphics needed a little jump start, and there were draw-in and fogging nuances that needed to be corrected. The gameplay was fine, however, and fans of intense exploration tides such as Pitfall 3D or Mega Man will find there's much ado about Gaundet.

Here is a very early look at Gauntlet Legends. The screens you're looking at are from a pre-alpha version of the game which is less than 40 percent complete, but as you can tell, it's already shaping up to look like a clean translation from the arcade version. The N64 version will, of course, support four-player simultaneous play and will include all the features from the coin-op game, like the ability to level up and save your characters. Gauntlet Legends is due out in May from Midway and Atari Games.

First things first Gauntlet Legends is best enjoyed in the company of friends. If you're lucky enough to possess two or three chums willing to sit down and obliterate hordes of ores with you, then you're in for a treat. On its own, however, it's, well, a bit dull.

Ostensibly a port of the arcade Gauntlet Legends, the game mechanics are till pretty much the same as the original's (which came out in 1984, fact fans). Namely, a simple, button-bashing slog through hundreds of green-skinned enemies, with the usual picking up of keys, opening of chests and using of potions. As such, it only really comes alive with two, three or four players sitting around and working co-operatively. "Send the warrior in firstl", "I'll cover you with my archer!" and "Use the wizards' potion!" are all cries that N64's neighbouring magazines have become familiar with. Formulating strategies, slaughtering beasts, destroying the monster-spawning generators - doing your best to keep each other alive. Ifs simple and nostalgic, but great fun all the same.

The single player game, though, is a lonely and repetitive experience, quickly becoming a bit of a chore. The relentless waves of enemies are tiring and there's none of the thrill you get as you're about to be overwhelmed, just as a friend unleashes a life-saving magical attack. Ifs simply a bit bonng.

Like Mario Party, Gauntlet Legends is designed for four human beings huddled around a TV, shouting, helping each other out, and generally having a whale of a time. We've had a great time in the office with it, and if you're fortunate enough to have some friends then prepare your controllers for some serious wear and tear.

Snapshots and Media

Dreamcast Screenshots

Playstation Screenshots

Nintendo 64/N64 Screenshots

See Also

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