Joust is a classic arcade action game released in 1982 by Williams Electronics, later ported to the Atari 7800 in 1986. Instead of traditional platforming, you mount a flying ostrich and engage in aerial jousting against waves of buzzard-riding enemy knights over a pool of lava.
How to Play
The core mechanic of Joust is all about altitude. To defeat an enemy, you must collide with them while your lance is higher than theirs. If the enemy is higher, you lose a life. If you collide at the same height, you bounce off each other. Use the emulator controls to maneuver: use the arrow keys to move left and right, and rhythmically press the primary action button (typically Z or X on your keyboard) to flap your ostrich’s wings and gain altitude.
Tips
- Control the high ground: Try to stay near the top platforms as much as possible so you always have an altitude advantage when new enemies spawn.
- Grab the eggs quickly: Defeated enemies drop eggs. Collect them immediately, or they will hatch into faster, more aggressive knights.
- Watch out for the Pterodactyl: If you take too long to clear a wave, an invincible Pterodactyl will appear. The only way to defeat it is to hit it exactly in its open mouth.
- Beware the lava troll: Don’t fly too close to the fire at the bottom of the screen, or the lava troll’s hand will reach out and grab you.
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