Gauntlet DS
Encyclopedia
Gauntlet is an unreleased Nintendo DS
hack and slash
video game, based on the 1985 arcade game by the same title (see Gauntlet
). The game was originally announced in April 2008 by publisher Eidos Interactive
to be developed by Backbone Entertainment
, and was scheduled to be released later that year, however as of 2011, it is still unavailable and may have been canceled.
. The four original classes from the series, Warrior
, Valkyrie
, Elf and Wizard
, return, along with a number of "fan favourite" enemies. Also included are newly recorded versions of the series' trademark speech samples, whereby a narrator announces events occurring in-game with statements such as "Red Warrior shot the food" and "Wizard is about to die!"
The game features play spanning both screens, using an entirely new 3D graphical engine, with local wireless as well as online four-player mode, 40 maps, and voice chat capabilities. Gauntlets multiplayer modes were said to include ranked deathmatch
, team deathmatch, and capture the flag
styles of play. Its Wi-Fi
features were said to use a dedicated server rather than the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
and its Friend Code system, featuring all of the same multiplayer modes available locally. Players are able to use their single-player characters in multiplayer modes, and retain experience earned in multiplayer games for solo play.
The game was featured in a playable state at the Penny Arcade Expo
in August 2008, with both single-player and multiplayer modes available. At this time, the game was still expected to meet its October release date. Additionally, a demo of the game was made available to the public in the United States via the DS Download Station
service during the summer of 2008.
By late 2008, the still-unreleased game had received several reviews in the gaming press, from magazines such as Nintendo Power
, Official Nintendo Magazine, and Retro Gamer
. In February 2009, however, rumors began circulating that Gauntlet had been canceled by Eidos, though no official statements were made by the involved parties.
In June 2009, Gauntlet was found to have been rated Teen on the ESRB web site under a new publisher, Majesco Entertainment
, implying that a release may still be a possibility.
Despite the game itself being unreleased, its engine was reused by Backbone for the Nintendo DS version of the film tie-in
game G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
, (released August 4, 2009 in the United States) itself a Gauntlet-style hack and slash. The game was not well received, garnering a 49.62% on GameRankings, and a similar 49 on Metacritic, signalling "generally unfavourable reviews".
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
hack and slash
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
video game, based on the 1985 arcade game by the same title (see Gauntlet
Gauntlet (arcade game)
Gauntlet is a fantasy-themed hack and slash 1985 arcade game by Atari Games. It is noted as the first class-based multiplayer game. Released during the emergence of popularity of other role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, the game was a sensation, being one of the first true dungeon crawl...
). The game was originally announced in April 2008 by publisher Eidos Interactive
Eidos Interactive
Eidos Interactive Ltd. is a British video game publisher and is a label of Square Enix Europe. As an independent company Eidos plc was headquartered in the Wimbledon Bridge House in Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton....
to be developed by Backbone Entertainment
Backbone Entertainment
Backbone Entertainment is an independent video game development company located in Emeryville, California.Backbone Entertainment is the result of a 2003 merger between Digital Eclipse Software and ImaginEngine...
, and was scheduled to be released later that year, however as of 2011, it is still unavailable and may have been canceled.
Gameplay
Press releases and previews of the game characterize it as "retro", with gameplay based on the first two titles in the Gauntlet series, with some additions such as the character leveling system introduced in Gauntlet LegendsGauntlet Legends
Gauntlet Legends is an arcade game released in 1998 by Atari Games. It is a fantasy themed hack and slash game, a sequel to 1985's popular Gauntlet and 1986's Gauntlet II and marks the final game in the series to be produced by Atari Games...
. The four original classes from the series, Warrior
Warrior (character class)
Warrior is a character class found in many role-playing games. This class may also be referred to as Fighter, as in Dungeons & Dragons. The class is sometimes also referred to as a Knight, although in some games this is a separate class with a more chivalric aspect...
, Valkyrie
Valkyrie
In Norse mythology, a valkyrie is one of a host of female figures who decides who dies in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle , the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin...
, Elf and Wizard
Wizard (character class)
The Wizard is a type of magical character class in certain role-playing games and computer role-playing games. Wizards are considered to be spellcasters who wield powerful spells, but are often physically weak as a trade-off. Wizards are commonly confused with similar offensive spellcasting...
, return, along with a number of "fan favourite" enemies. Also included are newly recorded versions of the series' trademark speech samples, whereby a narrator announces events occurring in-game with statements such as "Red Warrior shot the food" and "Wizard is about to die!"
The game features play spanning both screens, using an entirely new 3D graphical engine, with local wireless as well as online four-player mode, 40 maps, and voice chat capabilities. Gauntlets multiplayer modes were said to include ranked deathmatch
Deathmatch (gaming)
Deathmatch or Player vs All is a widely-used gameplay mode integrated into many shooter and real-time strategy computer games...
, team deathmatch, and capture the flag
Capture the flag
Capture the Flag is a traditional outdoor sport generally played by children, where two teams each have a flag and the objective is to capture the other team's flag, located at the team's "base," and bring it safely back to their own base...
styles of play. Its Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
features were said to use a dedicated server rather than the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
and its Friend Code system, featuring all of the same multiplayer modes available locally. Players are able to use their single-player characters in multiplayer modes, and retain experience earned in multiplayer games for solo play.
History
The possibility of a Nintendo DS Gauntlet title was first revealed by an ESRB listing in February, 2008, which was later removed. The intended publisher, Eidos Interactive, officially announced the game on April 7, 2008, with a projected release in "summer 2008". This estimate was refined to a more specific June release date, which was later amended to October.The game was featured in a playable state at the Penny Arcade Expo
Penny Arcade Expo
The Penny Arcade Expo is a semi-annual gamer festival held in Seattle and Boston. PAX was created by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, the authors of the Penny Arcade webcomic, because they wanted to attend a show that gave equal attention to console gamers, computer gamers, and tabletop...
in August 2008, with both single-player and multiplayer modes available. At this time, the game was still expected to meet its October release date. Additionally, a demo of the game was made available to the public in the United States via the DS Download Station
DS Download Station
DS Download Station is an in-store demo service launched by Nintendo in early 2006. As the name implies, these are stations that can be used to download game demos and trailers to a Nintendo DS. The range of a Nintendo DS Download Station is approximately 65 feet...
service during the summer of 2008.
By late 2008, the still-unreleased game had received several reviews in the gaming press, from magazines such as Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
, Official Nintendo Magazine, and Retro Gamer
Retro Gamer
Retro Gamer is a British magazine, published worldwide, covering retro video games. It was the first commercial magazine to be devoted entirely to the subject. Although launched as a quarterly publication, Retro Gamers soon became a monthly...
. In February 2009, however, rumors began circulating that Gauntlet had been canceled by Eidos, though no official statements were made by the involved parties.
In June 2009, Gauntlet was found to have been rated Teen on the ESRB web site under a new publisher, Majesco Entertainment
Majesco Entertainment
Majesco Entertainment is a video game publisher founded in 1986.-History:Majesco first made a name as a reissuer of old titles that had been abandoned by their original publisher. By cutting the prices dramatically and, eventually, arranging the rights to self-manufacture games for both Nintendo...
, implying that a release may still be a possibility.
Despite the game itself being unreleased, its engine was reused by Backbone for the Nintendo DS version of the film tie-in
Tie-in
A tie-in is an authorized product based on a media property a company is releasing, such as a movie or video/DVD, computer game, video game, television program/television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property...
game G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (video game)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is the title of a video game adaption of the film of the same name. The game takes place after the film. The 360 and PS3 versions are based on the same code, while the DS is an entirely different game unto itself, and the Wii, PS2, and PSP version are also based on...
, (released August 4, 2009 in the United States) itself a Gauntlet-style hack and slash. The game was not well received, garnering a 49.62% on GameRankings, and a similar 49 on Metacritic, signalling "generally unfavourable reviews".