Gauntlet II Deep cut Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Action
Gauntlet
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Action |
| Developer | Tengen |
| Publisher | Tengen |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Gauntlet |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988, Gauntlet is an action game developed by Tengen.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II.
It is part of the Gauntlet series; on the NES you can also try Gauntlet II. The series also appears on other systems with Gauntlet Legends (N64) and Gauntlet Legends (PS1). Tengen also made Shinobi, Toobin' and Klax for the NES.
Gauntlet supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
What playing Gauntlet is like
Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.
Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.
Gauntlet cheats & codes
80 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Get Over 9000 Life After Passing The Treasure Room | PAPKNE |
|---|---|
| Chests Worth 10 | ZAKAAZPE |
| Chests Worth 50 | ZLKAAZPA |
| Chests Worth 100 | GTKAAZPA |
| Don't Lose Keys When Opening Gates | SLSPKLVI |
| Don't Lose Keys When Opening Locked Boxes | SUXAKGSP |
Gauntlet walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Gauntlet.
If you like Gauntlet, the Matrix also picks…
Arkanoid Classic
Pac-Man Classic
Gauntlet IV Deep cut
Mega Man Classic
Mega Man 2 Classic
Bomberman II Classic
Mega Man 3 Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Gauntlet FAQ
When did Gauntlet come out on the NES?
Gauntlet was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988.
Who made Gauntlet?
It was developed by Tengen.
Is Gauntlet multiplayer?
Yes. Gauntlet supports up to 2 players.
How long does Gauntlet take to play?
As an action game, Gauntlet typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Gauntlet on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.