Joust (1982)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Joust (1982)

Joust is an arcade game developed by Williams Electronics and released in 1982. It is a platform game that features two-dimensional (2D) graphics. The player uses a button and joystick to control a knight riding a flying ostrich. The object is to progress through levels by defeating groups of enemy knights riding buzzards.

Joust was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the most influential arcade games of all time. It was ported to a number of home computers and consoles, and it has been re-released on several compilation albums.

Gameplay

Joust is a single-player or two-player game. The player controls a knight riding a flying ostrich. The ostrich can fly up and down, and it can flap its wings to gain speed. The knight can use a lance to joust with enemy knights.

The game is played on a series of levels. Each level is a single screen, and it is filled with enemy knights riding buzzards. The player must defeat all of the enemy knights on a level in order to advance to the next level.

The enemy knights will attack the player by flying towards them and trying to joust with them. The player can avoid being jousting by moving out of the way or by using their lance to block the enemy’s lance.

The player can also use their lance to attack the enemy knights. If the player successfully jousts with an enemy knight, the enemy knight will be knocked off of their buzzard and will fall to the ground. The player can then score points by catching the falling knight with their ostrich.

The game becomes more difficult as the player progresses through the levels. The enemy knights become more aggressive, and they begin to use different types of attacks. The player must use all of their skills to defeat the enemy knights and advance to the next level.

Development

Joust was developed by a team led by programmer John Newcomer. Newcomer was inspired to create Joust after playing the arcade game Donkey Kong. He wanted to create a game that was similar to Donkey Kong, but with a unique twist.

Newcomer decided to make the player character a knight riding a flying ostrich. He thought that this would be a fun and unique way to add variety to the gameplay. He also decided to make the enemy characters knights riding buzzards.

Newcomer and his team spent several months developing Joust. They worked hard to create a game that was fun, challenging, and addictive. They also wanted to create a game that looked and sounded great.

Joust was released in arcades in 1982. It was an immediate success, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of the year. Joust was ported to a number of home computers and consoles, and it has been re-released on several compilation albums.

Legacy

Joust is considered to be one of the most influential arcade games of all time. It was one of the first games to feature two-dimensional graphics, and it helped to popularize the platform game genre. Joust has also been praised for its innovative gameplay and its catchy music.

Joust has been referenced in numerous other works of popular culture, including the films “The Goonies” and “Back to the Future.” It has also been featured in several video game compilations, including the “Midway Arcade Treasures” series and the “Williams Arcade Classics” series.

Joust remains a popular game today, and it is still enjoyed by gamers of all ages. It is a challenging and addictive game that offers hours of fun.

Tips for playing Joust

Here are a few tips for playing Joust:

  • Use the joystick to move your ostrich up and down, and flap its wings to gain speed.
  • Use the button to joust with enemy knights.
  • Try to stay in the air as much as possible. This will make it more difficult for the enemy knights to hit you.
  • Use your lance to block the enemy knights’ lances.
  • If you are knocked off of your ostrich, try to catch the falling knight with your ostrich. This will score you points.
  • The game gets more difficult as you progress through the levels. Be patient and don’t give up!

Conclusion

Joust is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. It is a fun, challenging, and addictive game that offers hours of enjoyment. If you are a fan of arcade games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Joust.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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