About Joust
Joust is a legendary arcade game released by Williams Electronics in 1982. You control a knight riding a flying ostrich (or stork in 2-player mode), engaging in aerial combat against waves of enemy knights. The unique physics-based flying mechanic and competitive/cooperative multiplayer made it a standout hit of the golden age of arcade games.
How to Play Joust
The core mechanic is simple but deep: the knight with the higher lance wins. Use the flap button to gain altitude and position yourself above enemies before colliding. When you defeat an enemy, they turn into an egg - collect it quickly before it hatches into a stronger enemy!
Enemy Types
- Bounder (Red): Basic enemies worth 500 points. Slow and predictable.
- Hunter (Gray): Medium difficulty worth 750 points. More aggressive pursuit.
- Shadow Lord (Blue): Toughest enemies worth 1500 points. Fast and relentless.
- Pterodactyl: Appears if you take too long. Nearly invincible - avoid or hit its mouth!
Platform Hazards
- Lava: The bottom of the screen is deadly lava. A lava troll will grab you if you fly too low!
- Wrap-around: Flying off one side of the screen wraps to the other side.
- Platforms: Land on platforms to rest, but don't get cornered!
Joust History
Joust was designed by John Newcomer and released in July 1982. It was one of the first games to feature cooperative two-player gameplay where both players appear on screen simultaneously. The game's unique flying physics, created by rapidly pressing the flap button, influenced countless games that followed. Joust was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2022.
Strategy Guide
Master Joust with these pro strategies:
- Height advantage: Always try to be above your opponent when jousting
- Collect eggs fast: Uncollected eggs hatch into stronger enemies
- Use wrap-around: Escape danger by flying off the screen edge
- Platform camping: Land on high platforms and swoop down on enemies
- Pterodactyl timing: If it appears, hit it in the mouth or avoid until the wave ends
- Survival waves: On egg waves, focus on collecting rather than fighting
Two-Player Mode
Joust's two-player mode is legendary. Player 1 rides a yellow ostrich, Player 2 rides a blue stork. You can cooperate to clear waves faster, or compete by jousting each other! Defeating the other player awards bonus points, but be careful - you both share the same pool of lives in some versions.