Gauntlet

Urban Ranger · October 1, 2000, 01:40

Has anyone played this classic Atari arcade game? Whose your favourite character? What are your tricks and tactics?

Father Beast · October 1, 2000, 17:15

one of the first games that attracted me with its witty comments, spoken out loud.
though I sucked bad enough that the one I heard most often was:
"Blue warrior is about to die"

Zkribbler · October 1, 2000, 23:00

Ack! Quick! Someone give Blue Warrior a quarter!!!

Zkribbler · October 2, 2000, 00:19

I admit it!

I was a big Gauntlet addict. I pumped many quarters into that machine at a time when I had not many to my name.

For those unaware of this, Gauntlet was an D&D-type archade game which up to four people could play at one time. You could choose to be one of four characters: warrior, wizard, valkarie or elf. The incidious part was, once your hit points started getting low, you could buy more by sticking in another quarter. Thus, in the lower levels, you have four people just shoving quarters into the machine.

I had a machismo-type of play, which meant I took a lot of hits. Thus, I couldn't be wizard or elf because neither had armor. I started off playing the warrior, but he couldn't fling his huge axe through cracks in the wall, which often times was crucial. So I took up playing Valkarie, who--no pun intended--was more well rounded.

Elf had the best personality. Still today, when I get slammed at something, I will echo his pitiful "Yow-ow-ow!" or I'll hear the moderator's soft, sarcastic voice murmur, "My, that was a valient effort."

The Mad Monk · October 2, 2000, 00:36

I played it a lot at college, and AFAIK was the first to use the "mercenary" strategy on campus.

I was pumping a LOT of quarters in, but realized that the score was going to be divided by the number of coins I used, so I wasn't going to be in the coveted 'top 10'. You could play alone and get all the food, but get swamped within a few screens, or play with others, but have to share the food.

One day it occured to me that I could give the quarters to other players--I was going to dump 'em in, anyway--in exchange for them NOT taking any of the health or power-ups. I got together some trusted associates, and when we were through, I had an unassailable high score for Warrior and Amazon.

Later on, I played a mercenary for the high scorers in Wizard and Elf...

Urban Ranger · October 2, 2000, 01:12

I like the comment that says "Elf has been eating all the foods lately!"

I usually play the Elf in multiplayer games and go around stealing food

He is good after the Shot Power power-boost. He can out run the monsters if not being surrounded and he has good shot speed.

I also started by pumping in lots of quarters until I watched somebody played solo one day; he played the wizard and he was good. First, he would cold boot the machine by turning it off and on. You will get a special potion on the 8^th level in that very fist game after a reset.

Second, he would drop down to 8^th level from the 4^th level, since the levels in between aren't worth going through.

Third, he remembered the layout of most of the levels, so he could tell where all the monster generators and foods are.

Forth, he used an "off-screen shot" trick. What he would do is to fire a shot at a monster generator just off the edge the screen (not too close or else it would still generate monsters), then he moved his character forward. When timed right the shot would hit the generator before it could make monsters, thus destroying or reducing it. If the generator wasn't destroyed, he would move back, killing off the few weak monsers it created, and repeat.

Two player Gauntlet games were the best, since one player could hold the screen back by standing against it, thus preventing any monster generators from appearing, and the other player would move up and shot at monsters and/or generators through cracks in the walls.

I used to be so good at the game that one quarter could last me an hour or two, depending on luck

Some levels are better (lots of food, straight forward layout) than others (few food, tricky layout).

Bkeela · October 5, 2000, 10:45

My first exposure to this game was on the C64. Although I played Gauntlet II the most, there weren't any drastic differences. I now play the emulated arcade version with Mame.

Bkeela.

Urban Ranger · October 9, 2000, 00:44

Gaunlet II sucks

That's why it didn't sell.

Father Beast · October 9, 2000, 05:45

I just got Mame and gauntlet. Thanks for the suggestion, BKeela. I spend a bit of time nowadays getting around a bit, and listening to those witty comments, like "remember, don't shoot the food!".

Urban Ranger · October 10, 2000, 00:57

What's Mame?

Father Beast · October 10, 2000, 05:32

MAME is an arcade emulator, as BKeela could tell you.

Urban Ranger · October 12, 2000, 02:34

Thanks, but for which platform? I don't mind play a couple of games of Gauntlet now and then

deleted · October 12, 2000, 22:07

Mame is available for most platforms.
http://www.mame.net for windows http://x.mame.net for linux/unix http://macmame.org for macintoshes

If your looking for a different platform check. http://www.mame.net/downports.html

Urban Ranger · October 16, 2000, 02:18

Thanks!

Urban Ranger · October 17, 2000, 01:01

One more question. Where can I find Gauntlet after installing MAME?

Father Beast · October 17, 2000, 05:50

you can get it at http://classicgaming.com/vault/arcaderoms-DG.shtml

there's probably a few others out there if you search.

Urban Ranger · October 19, 2000, 00:59

Thanks!

Mercantile · October 19, 2000, 19:16

Wow gauntlet. Wicked game. I was always the Elf and i too heard the "Elf is about to die" I love the tombstone as well

I will try to download the mame and emulator again. I messed up last time so here it goes. Has anyone seen that 3d gauntlet out now, or is this gauntlet 2?

Urban Ranger · October 19, 2000, 21:27

3D Gauntlet? Wow! No, haven't seen that. Gauntlet 2 isn't so great; the original is the best

[This message has been edited by Urban Ranger (edited October 19, 2000).]

Mercantile · October 20, 2000, 13:51

well Urban Ranger, i still am not sure if its Gauntlet 2 or not, is this game somewhat new or has it been around for like 10 years. The one i see out now looks and acts more like Battle Axe than gauntlet to me so maybe were talking about the same game, if not then this is a new one as well.

Not nearly as good as the origional i must concur

------------------
Do you shovel snow in your birkenstocks?

Mercantile · November 17, 2000, 20:40

dl guantlet from classicgaming and got to the ninth level as the warrior. that damm death wass annoying

Urban Ranger · November 19, 2000, 23:04

If you play solo, don't use the warrior. His shots are too big to fit through cracks. Incidentally, he's the only, hm, big shot, so to speak

Mercantile · November 22, 2000, 15:10

yes i figured that out the hard way. Even though he can fight well through the ghosts and demons, he gets pounded nonetheless and is far too slow. Brought back old memories.

I downloaded track and field as well, what a hoot

Urban Ranger · November 23, 2000, 22:14

Ack! Don't fight the ghosts! Stand back and shoot. Nail the monster generators through cracks before you move to a new area. Don't just keep shooting, watch those perishable foods.

Mercantile · November 29, 2000, 20:49

Urban Ranger thanks for the tips, man that classic gaming is great, i have like 350 roms from old games, who needs an arcade i have them all here, lately its elevator action and track and field although i cant pass or make one high jump yet

ANyone?

Urban Ranger · November 30, 2000, 02:12

That's because you have an arcade at home?

Never played Track and Field so I can't help you out, sorry.

Mercantile · December 1, 2000, 19:01

Urban Ranger, how the hell do i deal with those lobbers, they are driving me nuts and the levels are alot harder, albeit, i don't have three friends helping me play at the same time.

Urban Ranger · December 5, 2000, 23:00

Oh, lobbers. I hate lobbers. There's no other way to deal with them other than try to avoid their shots by moving erratically. You may be able to avoid getting hit by moving directly away from them, but it's not always possible, and you have to watch for monsters on the other side at any rate.

They are very weak when you get them in your sight, though. Fire away! *evil grin* Just remember to neutralize their generators first.