| Gauntlet II | |
|---|---|
 Arcade flyer | |
| Developer(s) | Atari Games |
| Publisher(s) | Atari Games Home computers |
| Designer(s) | Ed Logg |
| Programmer(s) | Ed Logg Bob Flanagan |
| Artist(s) | Sam Comstock Susan G. McBride Alan J. Murphy Will Noble |
| Composer(s) | Hal Canon Brad Fuller Earl Vickers |
| Series | Gauntlet |
| Platform(s) | Arcade,Amiga,Amstrad CPC,Atari ST,Commodore 64,Game Boy,MS-DOS,NES,ZX Spectrum |
| Release | August 1986[1][2] |
| Genre(s) | Hack and slash,dungeon crawl |
| Mode(s) | 1-4 players simultaneously |
| Arcade system | Atari Gauntlet |
Gauntlet II is a 1986arcade game produced byAtari Games that serves as the immediate sequel to the originalGauntlet, which was released the previous year. Like its predecessor,Gauntlet II is afantasy-themed top downdungeon crawler game and was released as a dedicated cabinet, as well as a conversion kit, both available in 2-player and 4-player versions.
Gauntlet II is essentially an expanded version of the originalGauntlet. Like in the original game, there are four character classes to play as, with the choices being Warrior, Valkyrie, Wizard and Elf. The main difference from the original game is that multiple players can now choose to play as the same character class. Because of this each player is now distinguished by the palette of their character, with red and blue being in all versions of the game, while yellow and green are featured in the 4-player version. New voice samples were added inGauntlet II, identifying each player by their color and class (e.g. "Yellow Elf", "Red Wizard").
New level designs were added, including the possibility of encountering them in altered ways by having the play-field turned in steps of 90°. Other new features include the enemy "It", which upon contact made a player "It" and drew all enemies towards them. The only way to release this curse is bytouching another player or entering the exit, turning any level containing "It" into a fantasy filled game of tag. Other notable additions include the ability to ricochet shots off walls by means of a specialpick-up, acid puddles that caused large, predetermined amounts of damage and a large dragon which occupied multiple squares and required multiple hits to destroy.[3]
New level elements were also added, adding more variety to the original game. These included "all walls are invisible", "magic walls" which changed into monsters or items when hit, "stun tiles" which stunned the player, and fake exits.
Another challenge in the game is the possibility to find a "secret room". This can be found by completing specific achievements within the level (e.g., "don't be fooled", means that you must find the real exit first). The secret room contains items such as food and magic potions (extra shot power, extra shot speed, extra magic power, extra speed, extra armor and extra fight power).
Shortly after the release of the originalGauntlet, until March 31, 1986, Atari Games held a contest where players submitted level designs, game ideas, and other suggestions for a potentialGauntlet sequel.[4][5] The winners of the contest were announced in the April 1986 issue of Atari Games' newsletter,[6] and the developers implemented some of those submissions inGauntlet II. During the release ofGauntlet II, Atari Games held a second contest where players were tasked to find the secret rooms in the game itself. After fulfilling a certain task, the players were given a code, which they submitted to Atari Games via an entry form; the grand prize was a U.S. government saving bond valued at $5000, and the first 500 entries received a t-shirt. The contest was held until December 19.[1][7]
Gauntlet II was ported to theZX Spectrum,Amstrad CPC,Commodore 64,Amiga,Atari ST andMS-DOS in 1987. These versions of the game were released in North America byMindscape and in Europe byU.S. Gold. Most versions only supported two players, but the Atari ST version supported an adaptor that allowed two further joysticks (totalling four) to be connected via that machine'sparallel port. Mindscape later ported the game to theNintendo Entertainment System in 1990 and theGame Boy in 1991. The NES version ofGauntlet II was one of the earliest games for the console that supported up to four players, being compatible with either theNES Four Score orNES Satellite adapters.[8] Unlike the NES version of the firstGauntlet,Gauntlet II was a more direct conversion of the arcade original, lacking any sort of storyline or ending.
Gauntlet II is also included in the compilationsMidway Arcade Treasures 2 (released forPlayStation 2,Xbox andGameCube in 2004) andMidway Arcade Origins (released forPlayStation 3 andXbox 360 in 2012).[9] A stand-alone port of the game was also released bySony Online Entertainment for thePlayStation 3 on May 3, 2007 as a downloadable game on thePlayStation Store, but has since been delisted.
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Crash | 65%[11] |
| Computer and Video Games | 32/40[10] |
| Sinclair User |  [12] |
| Your Sinclair | 8/10[13] |
| ACE | 820/1000[14][15] |
| Amiga Action | 84%[16] |
| Atari ST User | 9/10[17] |
| Amiga User International | 8/10[18] |
| Commodore User | C64: 7/10[19] Amiga: 94%[20] |
| The Games Machine | 93%[21] |
| Play Time | GB: 74% GB[22] |
| ST Action | 88%[23] |
| Your Amiga | 70%[24] |
| Zzap!64 | 81%[25] |
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| Sinclair User | SU Classic[26] |
The Game Boy version was praised by the GermanPlay Time magazine for its technical implementation (including 8-directional scrolling), faithful recreation of graphics, and for evoking nostalgic feelings with similar sound effects; however, this version was criticized for difficult-to-recognize sprites and its technically weak theme music.[22]
The Spectrum version of the game was well received,Sinclair User said it was "a corker. Fast action and superb gameplay makeGauntlet II probably the first sequel worth the cash".Your Sinclair said it was "a 'must have' for all of you who asked for Gauntlet on your Desert Island Disks". BothYS andCrash gave the main weaknesses as the sound and the over-similarity to the original.
In 1997Electronic Gaming Monthly listedGauntlet II as the 3rd best arcade game of all time.[27]
