Gauntlet (NES)/Gameplay

Controls
The controls are the same for both players.
 * : navigate menus, move character
 * : use magic (bomb)
 * : fire weapon
 * : open menu
 * : choose number of players (has no use during gameplay)
 * + : resume game using password

Basics

 * The objective of Gauntlet is to make your way through the floors of a dungeon, fighting enemies and collecting treasures as well as hunting for pieces of the password required to reach Morak's lair. You can move in any direction, but most levels have only a few paths available. Each path will lead to different exit.
 * You are shown a map between levels. Using this you can work out what exits to take to reach treasure rooms (indicated by a $) or pieces of the password (represented by a ?). As a general rule, the outside wall an exit is closest to determines which direction you will move in to reach the next floor.
 * Your health (represented by ♥ ) constantly depletes at the rate of one point per second, so the faster you complete each floor the more health you will have. Physical contact with projectiles and some enemies will deplete it even faster. Eat food items to replenish your health.
 * While each character has a ranged attack (fired with ) you can also attack enemies by bumping into them.
 * You cannot move while firing, but you can turn in any direction while is held. You cannot fire another projectile until the current one is gone.
 * In each level you will find several monster generators. These look like squares (for ghosts) or cubes (for all other enemies). They will produce a steady stream of new enemies any time they are visible on the screen, so be sure to eliminate them when you see them. You can also use magic to weaken or destroy them from afar. See Enemies for more information.
 * Unlike the original Gauntlet, killing enemies does not contribute to your score. Your score is instead boosted by collecting treasure (each counts as one point). When your score reaches certain levels you will receive a bonus to your maximum health.

Exits
These squares take you to other floors in the dungeon. Some will skip you further ahead, while others may even take you back to a previous floor.

{|
 * [[Image:Gauntlet NES walls.png|160px|left]]

Walls
Walls vary in color, but all serve the same purpose: blocking your path. Darker-colored walls can be shot and destroyed, while lighter-colored ones can't. Blast your way through the darker ones to find alternate paths. If during your travels you step on pulsating tiles some solid walls may disappear elsewhere in the floor, opening new paths.

Doors
Doors are big bars across openings. They provide alternate routes through floors, but only if you have a key. Touching any part of the door will open up that entire section of door.

Keys
Keys unlock doors. You can only hold three at any one time, so use them wisely.
 * }