Gauntlet II

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Gauntlet II

Developer(s)	Atari Games
Publisher(s)	Atari Games
Designer(s)	Ed Logg
Release date(s)	1986
Genre(s)	Hack and slash RPG/Run and gun
Mode(s)	Up to 4 players simultaneously
Platform(s)	Arcade, NES
Input	Joystick (8-way); 2 buttons
Arcade cabinet	Upright
Arcade display	Raster, standard resolution, 19 inch, horizontal

Gauntlet II is the 1986 sequel to the arcade game Gauntlet which was released the previous year.

The biggest difference from the original game is that each player can now choose his class, instead of being limited to a particular one for each joystick. Thus, instead of having a "warrior" or a "wizard" (for instance), in Gauntlet 2 there could be a "red wizard", a "blue wizard" and so on.

In addition to the new class system, new level designs were added, including the possibility of encountering them in altered ways by having the playfield turned in steps of 90°. Other new features included the enemy "It", which upon contact would make a player "It" and draw all enemies towards him/her. The only way to release this curse is by touching another player or entering the exit, turning any level containing "It" into a fantasy filled game of tag.

New level elements were also added such as "all walls are invisible" adding much more variety to the game than the original. A new boss-like enemy was the dragon which upon defeat would leave behind a permanent power-up. This sequel was also the first to feature what is now known as the Gauntlet theme tune, which resembles a simplified Baroque fugue.