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Gauntlet IV
Gauntlet IV |
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Also known as: Gauntlet (JP)
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A strangely-titled Genesis port of Gauntlet with a new and strange Quest Mode, which adds RPG elements. It was also the first game developed by M2.
Contents
Debug Mode
To do: Describe the debug mode options |
In Arcade Mode, Battle Mode or Record Mode, while paused, the game jumps to a subroutine at $018C72 (AUG 1993 version) or $018C50 (SEP 1993 version), which is simply an RTS command. This command is probably how the debug menu, which begins at $018C74/$018C52, was disabled in the final version.
To access the menu, enter one of the following codes and pause the game.
AUG 1993 Version | SEP 1993 Version | |
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Action Replay | 018C72:4E71 | 018C50:4E71 |
Game Genie | RGGA-C6XW | RGGA-C6WT |
The change to MAP NO takes effect after using an Exit tile.
Regional Differences
The Japanese version of the game is called simply Gauntlet. It includes both Japanese and English language modes, set by the console region. The international versions also include a Japanese mode, but are region locked to prevent them running on Japanese consoles, short of Game Genie codes (AX7A-CA7C for AUG 1993, AX6A-CA88 for SEP 1993). With these codes enabled, the games will boot up in Japanese and display "Gauntlet" in the main menu. However, the title screen continues to read "Gauntlet 4".
General
Startup Warning
To do: Any way to properly re-enable this in the US/Europe version? |
Japanese | English |
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The Japanese version features a warning about making any changes to the configuration of the Sega Tap (Team Player, outside Japan) before the system has been powered on. When set to a region other than Japan, this even shows up in what approaches English. This warning is entirely absent in the western versions, although the manual does similarly instruct that the Team Player or 4-Way Play (the game supports either) should be set up before powering on the console.
Despite being unused, the warning text is still present in the international version's ROM; an attempt at an improved translation was apparently made before they decided to cut it. The above image is probably how it might have looked in-game.
Title Screen
Japan | US/Europe |
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The game's logo was altered to add a "4" to the international versions. Former Tengen employee Chris Tang recounts:
I wrote a proposal to give it a full-fledged action/RPG mode similar to Dungeon Explorer for the TurboGrafx/PC Engine by doing things like turning score into experience points with upgradable stats, adding shops for equipment and items, and giving the game a storyline with elemental worlds, bosses, and multiple endings. I believed that these were the features that were needed for the game to best fit the expectations of the time.
[...] what was done was such a monumental and significant achievement that we re-branded the game into Gauntlet IV with the "Episode IV: The Castle of Succession" Quest Mode as its standout feature – and it exists as one of Tengen’s very best, critically-acclaimed releases.
Arcade Mode
Japan | US/Europe | US/Europe (Japan mode) |
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Each region displays different copyright information on the title splash and a registered trademark was added to the international version's logo. Oddly, if the region locking is bypassed and the international version is played on a Japanese system, it displays a different set of legal text.
Additionally, the international versions increase the right margin of the HUD player text by eight pixels across all game modes.
Credits
Japan | US/Europe |
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Chris Tang was added to the Special Thanks section.
Quest Mode
English Translation Differences
For whatever reason, every instance of "riddle"/"riddles" in the Japanese version's introduction and endings was replaced with "mystery"/"mysteries". No other text was changed.
Japan | US/Europe |
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There are many riddles and legends in this world. |
There are many mysteries and legends in this world. |
Japan | US/Europe |
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To this day there still exists one riddle that cannot be solved. We call it , 'The riddle protected by the old castle towers.' |
To this day there still exists one mystery that cannot be solved. We call it , 'The mystery protected by the old castle towers.' |
Japan | US/Europe |
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There have been many that have sought to solve the castle's riddle. |
There have been many that have sought to solve the castle's mystery. |
Japan | US/Europe |
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In order to solve the riddle of the castle, more and more adventures try it. But none of them ever return. |
In order to solve the mystery of the castle, more and more adventures try it. But none of them ever return. |
Japan | US/Europe |
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Now, after all these years, yet another riddle has become legend. |
Now, after all these years, yet another mystery has become legend. |
Japan | US/Europe |
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There exists no one to challenge the castle and solve the riddle. |
There exists no one to challenge the castle and solve the mystery. |
Credits
Japan | US/Europe |
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Chris Tang was again added to the Special Thanks section.
The Gauntlet series | |
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Arcade | Gauntlet Legends |
Apple IIGS | Gauntlet |
Atari ST | Gauntlet |
NES | Gauntlet • Gauntlet II |
Genesis | Gauntlet IV |
PlayStation | Gauntlet Legends |
Dreamcast | Gauntlet Legends |
Game Boy Advance | Gauntlet Dark Legacy |
Nintendo DS | Gauntlet |
PlayStation 2 | Gauntlet Dark Legacy |
GameCube | Gauntlet Dark Legacy |
Xbox | Gauntlet Dark Legacy |
Cleanup > To do
Games > Games by content > Games with debugging functions
Games > Games by content > Games with regional differences
Games > Games by developer > Games developed by M2
Games > Games by platform > Genesis games
Games > Games by publisher
Games > Games by publisher > Games published by Warner Bros. Interactive > Games published by Midway Games > Games published by Atari Games > Games published by Tengen
Games > Games by release date > Games released in 1993
Games > Games by series > Gauntlet series