Play Joust Online

Joust came out on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, a home version of the Williams Electronics arcade game. It was a time when simple, direct concepts ruled, and this was a straightforward port that tried to capture the feel of the coin-op cabinet.

You control a knight riding a flying ostrich. Your goal is to defeat the enemy knights riding buzzards by colliding with them from a higher position; if you are lower during impact, you die. The game progresses screen by screen, with waves of enemies that become faster and more numerous. You collect eggs left by defeated foes before they hatch into new enemies, adding a layer of urgency to the combat. The pacing is relentless, and the difficulty escalates quickly, demanding quick reflexes and careful positioning. It feels like a constant, frantic duel in the air.