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At last, it's here! I've been waiting for Gauntlet for so long I almost began to think that US Gold wouldn't release it.

If you read the preview of Gauntlet in the April issue of Atari User, you know that it is a conversion of the arcade game of the same name.

The first thing to appear when you load the game is the arcade title screen of Thor the Warrior and Thyra the Valkyrie in action. Then you choose between a one or two player game, then which character or characters you are going to use (warrior, valkyrie, elf and wizard). I chose the wizard, for his powers with magic. Then you move into the game itself.

The first few levels are easy, compared with what's to come later on. To start with, you only come across relatively harmless ghosts.

But, as you get deeper into the game, you come across grunts, lobbers, demons and a friendly character known to his pals as Death.

Keys and potions can be found and used in the dungeons, as well as food and drink to replenish your health. But take care what you consume, as some food and drink is poisoned.

The exits are marked with a large E, and transport you to the next level. One of the later levels is a dungeon filled with exits, except for a few pathways littered with food, drink and treasure.

In this, the exits are more of a disadvantage than anything, although in other levels you may not be able to find the exit, so if you leave the joystick alone for about a minute all the walls turn into exits.

That gives you just an idea of what Gauntlet is like. Play is just a bit slow, compared to the other versions, but it's still good fun. The music is a little rough, but you don't find yourself listening to it all that often - you're too engrossed in the action.

The treasure rooms are included, as well as levels where shots stun and hurt other players. The selection screen is impressive, using four colours, and the sprites and scrolling are both extremely fluid.

The game is very addictive. You can find yourself collecting treasure in an otherwise empty room, then be attacked by dozens of monsters all at once.

Overall, Gauntlet is totally wicked. Although you only have a single colour shaded screen, the gameplay more than covers that.

Take my advice: Run the Gauntlet!