# Gauntlet IV > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gauntlet_IV > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gauntlet_IV.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_IV > Source revision: 1339143911 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1994 video game 1993 video game Gauntlet IV Developer M2 Publisher Tengen Designer Masatoshi Kawasaki Programmer Tetsuya Abe Artists Masatoshi Kawasaki Makoto Asao Naoki Horii Writer Gorou Sumiyoshi Composers Hitoshi Sakimoto Masaharu Iwata Platform Sega Genesis Release JP: September 17, 1993[2] NA: September 1993[1] EU: November 1993[3] Genre Action Modes Single-player, multiplayer ***Gauntlet IV***[a] is a 1993 [action video game](/source/Action_video_game) developed by [M2](/source/M2_(game_developer)) and published by [Tengen](/source/Tengen_(company)) for the [Sega Genesis](/source/Sega_Genesis). It includes a four player port of the original [*Gauntlet*](/source/Gauntlet_(1985_video_game)), as well other exclusive modes such as a new RPG Quest Mode and head to head battle mode, it was well received by critics. ## Gameplay *Gauntlet IV* features four different modes with different game play styles: "Arcade mode", a port of the original arcade game, which has up to four players exploring a sequence of dungeons shooting at masses of enemies with projectile weapons, collecting keys to open locked doors and finding potions that wipe out all enemies onscreen. The players health decreases constantly as the game progresses and has to be replenished by collecting food items and each stage often has multiple exits which send you to different levels. "Quest mode", which is the main feature of the game, and is set in all new dungeons with new bosses to fight against and which combines the game play of the original game with new RPG elements such as character-leveling and item purchasing as well as featuring the ability to save game progress. "Battle mode", a [deathmatch](/source/Deathmatch_(video_games)) game, which has the players fighting against each other in arenas. The arenas include hidden power-ups that increase the players' attributes for that match and within this mode the projectile weapons bounce around the screen and can be used to force opponents into the exits to cause a "ring out" And "Record mode", a single-player only variant of arcade mode in which progress is kept track via a password. ## Development and release *Gauntlet IV* began as a port of the original *[Gauntlet](/source/Gauntlet_(1985_video_game))* for the [X68000](/source/X68000) as a project by a group of friends in Japan who would later form the development studio [M2](/source/M2_(game_developer)). It was picked up by [Atari Games](/source/Atari_Games), the makers of the original game, and used instead as the basis for a sequel for the Genesis published by Tengen, their home-publishing imprint.[4] The game's soundtrack was composed by [Hitoshi Sakimoto](/source/Hitoshi_Sakimoto) and [Masaharu Iwata](/source/Masaharu_Iwata). ## Reception Reception Review scores Publication Score Mean Machines 94%[5] Mega 90%[6] MegaTech 94%[7] Upon the game's release in 1993, *[MegaTech](/source/MegaTech)* said that "the action is flawless" and had stood the test of time well. They continued that it was "a brilliant game, and one that warrants immediate attention". *[Mega](/source/Mega_(video_game_magazine))* praised the longevity of the game, saying it was "huge fun and a must-buy" and placing the game at No. 19 in their list of the best Mega Drive games of all time.[8] ## Notes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Known in Japan as ***Gauntlet*** ([Japanese](/source/Japanese_language): ガントレット, [Hepburn](/source/Hepburn_romanization): *Gantoretto*) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Fact File: Gauntlet IV"](https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-51-october-1993/page/162/mode/2up). *[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)*. No. 51. October 1993. pp. 162–163. Retrieved January 10, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3rd_party_titles_-_Sega_JP_2-0)** ["Software List (Software Licensee Release)"](https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html). *Sega Hardware Encyclopedia* (in Japanese). [Sega Corporation](/source/Sega). Retrieved May 15, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Game Review: Gauntlet 4"](https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/fa1ec58b-247f-4827-90be-86437426f330). *[Mega](/source/Mega_(video_game_magazine))*. [Future plc](/source/Future_plc). October 1993. pp. 32–33. Retrieved 24 September 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-M2Gauntlet_5-0)** ["Corporate Profile"](https://www.mtwo.co.jp/en/corp-profile/). [M2](/source/M2_(game_developer)). 20 December 2013. Retrieved 2019-09-14. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["*Gauntlet 4* review"](https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-13/MMSega_13_Nov_1993#page/n49/mode/2up). *[Mean Machines](/source/Mean_Machines)* (13). [EMAP](/source/EMAP): 50–53. November 1993. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** "Mega review". *[Mega](/source/Mega_(video_game_magazine))* (13). [Future Publishing](/source/Future_Publishing): 32. October 1993. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** "*Gauntlet 4* review". *[MegaTech](/source/MegaTech)* (22). [EMAP](/source/EMAP): 76. October 1993. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Mega Top 100 feature](https://archive.org/details/mega14_202004/page/n85/mode/2up), [Future Publishing](/source/Future_Publishing), issue 14, page 87, November 1993 v t e Gauntlet video games Original series Gauntlet Gauntlet II Gauntlet: The Third Encounter Gauntlet III: The Final Quest Gauntlet IV Legends series Gauntlet Legends Dark Legacy Seven Sorrows Modern games Gauntlet (cancelled) Gauntlet (2014) Compilations Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2 Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Midway Arcade Treasures Origins Extended Play Deluxe Edition Related Ed Logg Dandy --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gauntlet IV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_IV) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_IV?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.