Atari Games Corporation's 1985 classic — its history, how the press received it, how it plays today, and what a copy costs.
- Released
- 1985 · PC (DOS / Windows)
- Developer
- Atari Games Corporation
- Publisher
- Mindscape
- MobyScore
- ★ 8.14
- Players today
- Very Positive on Steam (80% of 7009)
The history
Developed by Atari Games Corporation and published by Mindscape, Inc., Gauntlet arrived in 1985 as a pioneering force in the arcade scene. It stands as one of the first multiplayer dungeon crawl arcade games, translating the essence of pen-and-paper fantasy into a high-energy digital experience.
The title mattered because it helped pave the way for the success of modern action RPGs. By bringing the theme of dungeon-crawling to the masses via arcade cabinets, it established a blueprint for cooperative combat and maze exploration that would influence the genre for decades.
How it plays
The gameplay loop centers on a relentless battle through 100 levels of mayhem and magic. Players choose from four distinct characters—Thor the Warrior with his bludgeoning axe, Thyra the Valkyrie with a close-range sword, Questor the Elf with a long-range bow, and Merlin the Wizard who fires magical bolts—to fight through hordes of ghosts, goblins, and the life-draining Death.
Strategic movement is key; players must destroy enemy generators to stop the flow of foes and collect keys to unlock doors, some of which lead to bonus items. While treasure increases the player's score, they must utilize magic potions as smart bombs to clear the screen and avoid poison, which drains their energy levels.
How it was received
Gauntlet was a commercial juggernaut. In the US, it topped the RePlay upright arcade chart in December 1985 and the Play Meter charts from January to March 1986, eventually becoming the highest-earning dedicated arcade cabinet of the year according to AMOA. In Japan, it was a massive success for Namco, topping the charts in April 1986. The home computer versions were equally potent, with the Spectrum version becoming the biggest-selling game of 1986 in the UK and selling over 300,000 copies overall by 1987.
Critics were largely enamored. Entertainment Weekly called it an "innovative, fast-playing mix of mazes, monsters, and magic spells," and Computer and Video Games praised the Amstrad version's "perfect playability." While later reviews from the Official UK PlayStation Magazine noted that limitations became apparent by the late 90s, the game's prestige remained high, with GamesMaster ranking it 18th in its "Top 100 Games of All Time." Then and now, the sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, as modern players continue to describe it as an "iconic masterpiece."
In the magazines
The period press.
The game earned high marks across the board: SUser gave it 5/5, Dragon 4/5, and YSinclair 9/10. Other scores included CRASH at 92%, Z64 at 93%, AAction at 93%, and ACE at 859/1000, while TGM provided a 72% and JS a 79%.
What players say today
Modern players on Steam hold a "Very Positive" view of the experience, with 5,621 out of 7,009 positive reviews. Users praise the reboot for giving the classic "new life" with enhanced graphics and quality-of-life improvements, such as items being picked up automatically. Some players highlight the enjoyment of the roughly five-hour campaign when played with friends, though one user noted the need to manually edit config files to fix sound issues.
“Elf needs FOOD!! Fun game that brings back old memories while giving it new life with enhanced graphics and better gameplay. Items automatically pick up if you are near them without needing them so …”
“Absolute banger, fantastic emotes, cant believe they didn't do a helldivers 2 crossover with this iconic masterpiece. Would recommend (w/ friends). Fr tho, good ~5 hour campaign with some friends was …”
“A prime example of an EXCELLENT reboot of a classic arcade game. (the original is from 1985)”
Screenshots
The box & the art
Cover art, and real copies photographed in the wild.
Legacy
Atari Games Corporation's legacy is cemented by this title's influence on the action RPG genre. Gauntlet remains worth seeking out today for those who appreciate the foundations of co-op dungeon crawling and the visceral satisfaction of battling endless hordes with friends.
What it's worth
A second-hand market that moves over time — a loose disc is pocket-money, while sealed or complete-with-manual copies drive the top end. For today's exact listings, check the live search.
See current copies on eBay →Copies in the wild
Real listing photos — the range of condition you'll meet.
Photographed examples from past listings — illustrative of condition, not a live inventory.
How to play it in 2026
Easiest today: Steam or GOG (DRM-free) on modern Windows. Either way the core game is intact.
Verdict
Gauntlet holds up remarkably well, particularly as a cooperative experience. Its core loop of clearing rooms and managing resources is timeless, and the distinct character roles provide a satisfying layer of teamwork.
While the simplicity of its mechanics might feel stark compared to modern RPGs, its status as a "banger" of a game is confirmed by its enduring popularity and the success of its later reboots.
Sources: MobyGames, Steam, and period/web coverage. Prices reflect the second-hand market and change over time.