11 Local Multiplayer Gems That Built Gaming Communities

8. Gauntlet: The OG Dungeon Crawl

Long before online gaming took over, Gauntlet ruled the arcades and living rooms as the template for the ultimate co-op dungeon crawl. Its legendary phrase, “Wizard needs food badly!” has echoed in gamer circles for decades—and if you know the reference, you know you’re among friends. Up to four players working in tandem, each as a uniquely skilled hero, meant victory was a true group effort—and the banter (or bickering) was half the fun. Gauntlet magic lies in its balance: anyone could contribute to the team, but everyone was needed to survive the monster waves and snag power-ups. Whether you played in arcades, on consoles, or via later reboots, Gauntlet was often where lifelong LAN connections and inside jokes began. Its spirit still influences every modern co-op crawler to this day.