Apple II (1986)

Amstrad CPC (1986)

Commodore 64 (1986)

Choose your character and brace yourself for a journey through increasingly perilous dungeon levels teeming with fantastical creatures.

In the 1970s, a drab sea of brown and beige clothing dominated fashion, but by the 1980s, things had brightened considerably. The decade burst to life with vivid colours and eccentric style, as evidenced by shows like MTV, Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, and even Colin Baker's outrageous Doctor Who costume, which perfectly encapsulated the era's flamboyance.

Despite this neon revolution, a dedicated group of role-playing enthusiasts stayed true to their roots, still rolling dice and casting spells in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. This era of swords, sorcery, and imaginative fantasy games paved the way for Gauntlet.

Gameplay involves navigating mazes from a top-down perspective, battling hordes of enemies and hunting for the level exit while managing your ever-dwindling health. The health mechanic adds urgency to every decision, and picking up food is crucial for survival - though beware of the occasional poisoned item that drains your health. The magic potions are especially powerful, wiping out enemies (including Death itself) in a spectacular display.

The character you select at the start has a unique trait to turn the odds in your favour. The Wizard, for example, excels at spellcasting, while the Elf boasts superior speed.

One of the game's standout features in the arcade was its memorable voice lines, like "Warrior needs food, badly!" While the home computer versions lacked this audio, the absence might have saved precious memory and, perhaps, spared players from its repetitiveness.

The game's seemingly endless levels offer a constantly escalating challenge, and the two-player co-op mode adds a thrilling, strategic layer - at least until friendly fire becomes a factor! For retro gaming enthusiasts, Gauntlet remains a timeless classic, full of simple yet addictive gameplay.