Joust

Overview

Joust had no fire button. Victory came from being higher than your opponent when lances collided. Players controlled knights riding flying ostriches, flapping to gain altitude and jousting enemies across floating platforms. Two-player simultaneous play added cooperation and betrayal in equal measure.

Fast facts

Developer: Williams Electronics.
Designer: John Newcomer.
Release: 1982.
Innovation: No shooting, altitude combat.

Unique mechanics

Element	Design
Flight	Flap button for altitude
Combat	Higher lance wins
Gravity	Constant pull
Platforms	Landing spots

The flap mechanic

Action	Result
Single flap	Small lift
Rapid flapping	Sustained flight
Stop flapping	Gravity takes over

Mastering flight rhythm was essential.

Combat system

Situation	Outcome
You higher	Enemy defeated
Enemy higher	You lose life
Same height	Bounce off

Simple but deep positioning game.

Enemy types

Enemy	Behaviour
Bounder	Basic, green
Hunter	Faster, grey
Shadow Lord	Aggressive, red

Defeated enemies became eggs—collect or they hatch stronger.

Two-player dynamics

Simultaneous cooperative/competitive:

Work together against enemies
Compete for eggs
Can joust each other
Trust and betrayal

Stage hazards

Hazard	Danger
Lava	Bottom of screen
Lava troll	Grabs low fliers
Pterodactyl	Unbeatable, wave timer

The pterodactyl

Appears if wave takes too long:

Cannot be defeated normally
Must be avoided
Punishes slow play
Creates urgency

Platform layout

Floating platforms:

Different elevations
Strategic positions
Landing needed to stop
Environmental tactics

Legacy

Joust influenced:

Non-shooting combat
Flapping flight games
Competitive co-op design
Original game concepts

Home versions

Platform	Quality
Atari 7800	Excellent
NES	Good adaptation
Atari 2600	Simplified

Competitive flying