Was Gladiator (Taito, arcade) ever released for a console?

[Wavelflack]

I had to specify the classic Gladiator, as I'm guessing some "Gladiator" games came out after the recent movie.

Anyway, I had a subscription to Taito's newsletter back in 87 or 88 (when Gladiator was still 'relatively' new), and it showed all of the home versions of their games. Rastan, Bubble Bobble, Sky Shark, Arkanoid, Legend of Kage, etc...a lot of games (some of which were only for Atari ST or other home computers), but no Gladiator. I tracked this for a few years, but to my knowledge, no version ever came out.

I finally solved my problem 5 years ago by purchasing my own Gladiator board and installing it to one of my cabinets. I love the game, and was finally able to beat it (by setting the dip switches correctly..), but I still remain curious about the possibility of a long lost home conversion.

Does anyone know if the game finally made it home in some form? On an obscure system (Marty, for instance), or a foreign release, or a computer game (which I NEVER keep track of).

It seems odd that Taito would release certain games like Sky Shark (how big of a fanbase could that game have?), but not Gladiator. The only reason I could think of would be technological, as all the pieces of armor were individual sprites, animated as a suit.

Anyone know?

[Arcade Antics]

Anyone know?

Unfortunately, it was never released for any of the home consoles. We have a special attachment to the game here, and to the lovely Irene. Irene. Irene. (aka, "EEE-REN") :-D

Wavel - have you played the Street Fighter-ish sequel? It's not as good as the original but it's still a kick to see Gurianos in a different setting.

The dipswitch settings you mentioned - perchance are you referring to the "invincible" setting?

Keep on gladiating. "Vo! Vo! Vo!"

[rbudrick]

Wow! Gladiator has a sequel?!

What's it called?

Thanks!

Yours,
Rob

[Wavelflack]

"The dipswitch settings you mentioned - perchance are you referring to the "invincible" setting?"

But of course. I cannot imagine anyone being able to beat the last boss without it.


Also, what is this Gladiator sequel you're talking about???

[Wavelflack]

WAITAMINIT!! It's not "Star Gladiator", is it?

Is it??!!

[Wavelflack]

I just realized that you're probably referring to Great Swordsman. It would be a prequel, if anything, though. It's from '84, whereas Gladiator is from '86.

Good game anyway.

[Arcade Antics]

I just realized that you're probably referring to Great Swordsman. It would be a prequel, if anything, though. It's from '84, whereas Gladiator is from '86.

Good game anyway.

Nope -- I had to jog my memory for this one, it's been almost a year since I last saw it.

The game I was referring to is called Blandia. Apropos, as it's quite the bland Street Fighter wannabe.

Still, it does include the trademark "flying armor" and Gurianos does still say "Vo!" but all the oddball charm of the original is gone. It's not very playable, but you definitely ought to check it out as a fan of the original. Note that Blandia is not made by Taito. How curious.

"VO!"

[Wavelflack]

Alright!!

*raises right arm twice*

VICTORY!
5000 POINTS

[Wavelflack]

I don't suppose you'd have a rom you could post, do you? Edge emu isn't working, and everything else is a maze of repeating "top 50 sites" votes. Grr...