Retroist Joust Podcast
In the pantheon of video game classics, Joust stands as a testament to innovation and simplicity, capturing the hearts of gamers with its unique gameplay and imaginative design. Released by Williams Electronics in 1982, Joust broke the mold with its two-player cooperative play, pitting knights riding flying giant birds against enemy knights on buzzards in a fantastical medieval jousting tournament. What sets it apart? Perhaps it's the game's simplicity, combined with its challenging gameplay, that has captivated players for decades. Or maybe it's the camaraderie and competition fostered by its cooperative and versus modes.
Joust transcends the typical arcade game classification by marrying straightforward controls with complex strategic depth. This ingenious blend of easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master gameplay, along with its distinctive setting, elevates Joust from mere entertainment to a cultural touchstone of the early 80s arcade era, resonating with players beyond its original release.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the legacy of Joust. Beyond my nostalgic recollections and the impact it had on the arcade scene, we'll explore the elements that make Joust a game worth revisiting. I'll examine the creative vision of its developers, how they crafted a game that stood out in a sea of space shooters and maze chases, and the enduring appeal of its gameplay mechanics.
The development team behind Joust brought a novel concept to life with a mix of creativity and technical prowess. The game's designer, John Newcomer, aimed to create a game that emphasized cooperative play, a rarity at the time. This vision resulted in a game that was not only innovative but also ahead of its time in promoting multiplayer engagement.
Moreover, the iconic art and sound effects contributed to Joust's immersive experience, creating a game environment that was both fantastical and inviting. The challenge of balancing on a flying ostrich, knocking opponents off their mounts, and navigating the dynamic levels offered an unforgettable arcade experience.
So, whether you're a veteran who spent countless quarters mastering Joust's jousting mechanics or a newcomer curious about the classics that paved the way for today's video games, this episode promises to delve into the rich history and enduring legacy of Joust. Tune in as we take flight on a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of arcades.
Listen and download the Joust Podcast
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Production Notes
This is the 315th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 17 of this season.
Fourth episode of 2024. You might notice this wasn’t supposed to come out anytime soon, but I got Joust fever recently and decided to finally tackle it.
This show was released late. I apologize for the delay.
I have looked at Joust a lot and never realized that in the arcade game, player 1 and 2 weren’t both ostriches. A stork??!
The laser disc video game craze was so overblown. Amazing how much money disappeared on that tech.
The flap mechanic seems like it should be cumbersome, but on Joust I find it really intuitive. They really got the flap to life ratio right.
I am very pro Buzzard outside this game.
I cut out a section about how colorful this game is and compared it favorably to Centipede in art style. Joust has a solid and bright color pallet.
I played this at the store near me, but in the same year, two of the other three places in my town that had arcade games got a Joust machine. We were Joust saturated.
I think they could give this game an update with a large screen like Killer Queen. Maybe bring it up to 4 or more players?
If you have the opportunity to play a working version of Joust pinball, do it. But be gentle, it’s rare.
I will post the clipping I mention over on Patreon soon.
With this big Joust score busting marathon, they must have kept the arcade open overnight for this young kid. I wonder if people were allowed to be in the arcade all night while he was playing? All-night arcade was a dream of mine as a kid.
Keeping this up here. I have been having issues with YouTube lately. Until that had been worked out, I will not be posting episodes of the show there. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy.
Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend.
I’ve got the episode queued on my podcast player. Joust is a great topic and an underrated game! And I’m glad you mentioned Killer Queen, which I think is similarly well-designed and underrated.