Midway’s Gauntlet series has gone through a roller coaster ride of mediocrity, falling far from its arcade roots into a pseudo-3D, pseudo-action, pseudo-playable romp through awkward looking levels. With the exception of the Xbox Live Arcade port of the original title, everything the Gauntlet franchise has touched after 1993 has turned to crap in its hands.

Bringing it back to low-resolution screen could be the best thing to happen to the series, as the ESRB has mistakenly confirmed an Eidos published handheld version of the game. Tentetively titled “Gauntlet DS,” the title is rated T for blood, fantasy violence, and alcohol references.

When asked for comment, a Midway representative told GameSpot, "There is nothing that we can comment on at this time." Representatives from Eidos have not responded to GameSpot's inquiries. The ESRB has also removed the game from its online database, although a representative had not clarified the reasons for the removal as of press time.

I would love to see this game come out. I didn’t hate the last few Gauntlet titles, but the weird camera angles left me wanting a more 2D version. Imagine a nice, classic Gauntlet game with online modes and single cart play. I don’t think there could be a better airplane game then that, well, other then Contra.

Eidos didn't respond immediately with confrmation or denial, but we will keep you updated with any info they give us. With the Game Developers Conference commencing as I write this, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear about the title in the coming days, and we will cover it as it happens.

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