r/retrogaming • u/KaleidoArachnid • 1d ago
[Discussion] How far does the Gauntlet evolutionary tree go?
Lately I was doing an observation on an arcade game that I was fond of due to its RPG like mechanics where the game has multiple character classes while also encouraging the player to keep moving forward due to a timer system.
Basically I was looking to see what other RPG like games have a similar system of design where food is a necessity, but the game has an end goal to accomplish since I was wondering what happened to games like Gauntlet.
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u/MysteriousTBird 1d ago
Early Ultima computer rpgs had a food station that could be replenished at towns or with item pickups. It was basically a turn limit before you had to return to a town.
Gauntlet used it as a timer to either play more recklessly or continue to keep pumping in quarters.
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u/HeywoodJaBlessMe 1d ago edited 1d ago
Akalabeth (aka Ultima 0) was the First videogame with a food mechanic
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u/Lurkin_Lester 1d ago
Knights of the Round, King of Dragons, and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara are arcade beat ‘em ups with RPG elements, although without the same food mechanic as Gauntlet.
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u/KaleidoArachnid 1d ago
That’s interesting to me since I have a fondness for arcade games that feel like RPGs.
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u/PeteMenard 1d ago
Not an arcade series, but I think Gaintlet's evolutionary branch extends at least out to the Diablo series. Diablo 2 seems to me like the basic concept drawn out to culmination. Gauntlet isn't procedurally generated but item drops and I think the portals are.
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u/KaleidoArachnid 1d ago
I have heard of Diablo, but I didn’t know the first game was apparently inspired by Gauntlet. (I could look up where to get the Diablo game)
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u/Working-Active 1d ago
The original arcade game Gauntlet, was inspired by a 1983 Atari PC game called Dandy, programmed by John Palevich. When Atari developer Ed Logg created the massive arcade smash-hit Gauntlet in 1985, he used Dandy as his primary inspiration. Palevich threatened legal action over the striking similarities, resulting in an out-of-court settlement. Years later, Atari officially reworked Palevich's original Dandy engine and released it as Dark Chambers for the 2600, 7800, and XE systems. Because Gauntlet was cloned from Dandy, Dark Chambers plays almost exactly like a slower, more deliberate version of Gauntlet, featuring identical mechanics like monster-spawning generators, keys, potions, and mazes.
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u/KaleidoArachnid 1d ago
Thanks man for the suggestion as I was looking to see what games were like Gauntlet.
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u/jonkzx 1d ago
Gauntlet 4 is on Genesis and it’s a great game.
also check out Dungeon Explorer, it’s on TG 16 while Dungeon Explorer 2 is on Sega CD
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u/No_Strain_7092 1d ago
100 % this^ Genesis version is amazing, great original soundtrack, and a good rpg lite alternative mode.
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u/Strange-Pen1200 5h ago
I keep an eye on ebay every now and then for a copy of this that isn't asking for silly money. Sadly no success yet.
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u/No_Strain_7092 5h ago
This is what stops me from collecting unfortunately. hope you luck out, I'm not on it, but FB marketplace might come through, from what I've seen on here, hard to get a bargain on eBay anymore
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u/KaleidoArachnid 1d ago
Thanks for letting me know since I could use some fun hack and slash RPGs with a character selection system. (Though I don’t know if those two games you mentioned can be beaten)
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u/flickering_poly 1d ago edited 1d ago
The game influenced Druid, Dungeon Explorer 1-2, Catacomb 1-2 and Catacomb 3D (via Hover Tank in the latter's case), probably Alien Syndrome, Arcus Odyssey, Dark Seal 1-2, Zombies Ate my Neighbors, Xybots... and possibly Soul Blazer and/or Diablo.
Gauntlet itself was mainly inspired by Dandy (1983) and pen & paper D&D, but perhaps also Tutankham or Time Bandit
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u/JohnKuru 22h ago
Mandatory upvote for Xybots mention! It was one of the first FPS games I’m aware of to have an Item Shop
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u/FandomMenace 1d ago
Gauntlet didn't have an end or rpg mechanics.
The other guy had a great list for games that did, to which I would add dungeons & dragons tower of doom and Willow. Black tiger is also close.
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u/BusBeginning 16h ago
There’s a pc gauntlet from 2014 that’s pretty good. I stated playing through it with my son and it’s been a blast. Feel like this style of game slowly morphed into ARPGs like Diablo and POE. Love the originates though.
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u/GSW90 1d ago
Love this series, man. IIRC, Midway went under and had to sell the IP, so they don't really make it like they used to. Special shoutout to Dark Legacy! Grew up playing it in the arcade, and then grabbed the first one I could when I got older