Its unusual features for an arcade game included passwords and characters that could be saved, enabling players to play over the course of a long period.

The player(s) must defeat the end bosses of each of the four kingdoms to obtain the four keys which allow access to the desecrated temple and be able to banish Skorne to the Underworld.

The players must find three rune stones on each kingdom in order to defeat Skorne in the Underworld (in the arcades only), and one from the battle grounds (home versions only).

The initial arcade version had a contest by which the first 500 players to complete the game and send in the supplied validation code would win a free Gauntlet Legends shirt.

The stock fantasy characters from the original Gauntlet return for Legends; as before, each has greater starting ability in a single attribute than their fellows.

"[35] Vicious Sid of GamePro said of the N64 version in one review, "Gauntlet Legends is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it's an impressive port of a polished arcade game that manages to cram in some extra playability to boot.

"[40][d] In another GamePro review, Ash said, "Die-hard fans of Gauntlet will especially want to own this game, but it's also a great one for gamers who love the idea of intense multiplayer action.

"[42][f] Dan Elektro said in one GamePro review, "With all the hidden stuff and the reworked sections, Gauntlet Legends on the Dreamcast feels as fresh as a newly minted quarter.