Joust

Joust is a video game in the action genre developed by Williams Electronics, Inc. and published by Atarisoft originally released in 1983. It is currently playable on DOS, Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, Lynx, Mac.

In the early 1980s, the world of gaming was forever changed with the release of Joust, a classic arcade game developed and published by Atari. Originally released for the Atari 2600 in 1983, Joust quickly became a hit and was eventually ported to other popular platforms including Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit, DOS, and even the Macintosh. This game, with its unique and engaging gameplay, helped pave the way for future platformers and has become a beloved part of gaming history.

Joust is a two-player game where each player controls a knight riding on a flying ostrich, armed with a lance to joust against enemy knights also riding on various flying creatures. The objective of the game is to defeat all the enemy knights on the screen while avoiding hazards such as lava pits and obstacles. What made Joust stand out from other games of its time was its innovative gameplay, which allowed players to fly freely and engage in aerial combat, adding an extra layer of challenge and excitement to the experience.

One of the most notable features of Joust was its use of unconventional controls. Unlike most games at the time that used a joystick or buttons to control the player's character, Joust used a single button for flapping the ostrich's wings to control movement and elevation. This control scheme was intuitive and unique, making the game easy to pick up but difficult to master. It also added to the immersive experience of flying and jousting in a medieval fantasy world.

Another noteworthy aspect of Joust was its graphics and sound. While simplistic by today's standards, the vibrant colors and detailed sprites were visually appealing and added to the overall charm of the game. The iconic sound effects, such as the fluttering of wings and the clashing of lances, were instantly recognizable and added to the immersive gameplay experience.

Joust was not only successful in the arcade but also in its home console and computer ports. The Atari 2600 version, in particular, was a faithful adaptation of the arcade version and helped bring this beloved game to a wider audience. The Atari 7800 and 8-bit versions also received critical acclaim and were praised for their graphics and gameplay. The DOS version, while lacking in graphics compared to other versions, still captured the essence of the game and was well-received by PC gamers.

In 1983, Joust was also released for the Macintosh, making it one of the first arcade games to be ported to this platform. This version of the game was visually impressive for its time, with improved graphics and sound compared to its predecessors. It also utilized the Mac's mouse control, offering a different but equally enjoyable experience for players.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.