Popeye Classic
Atari 5200 · Platformer / Action
Joust
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Atari 5200 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Platformer, Action |
| Developer | Williams |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 8 |
Joust is a platformer released for the Atari 5200, developed by Williams and published by Atari. It blends platformer and action elements.
Among the 12 5200 platformers in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
Williams also made Defender and Robotron: 2084 for the 5200.
Joust supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the 5200's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
What playing Joust is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Joust walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Joust.
If you like Joust, the Matrix also picks…
Donkey Kong Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic Co-op
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Classic
Donkey Kong Jr. Classic
Super Mario All-Stars Classic
Space Panic Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog Classic
Playing 5200 games today
The 5200 library is small and arcade-focused, so it suits players who enjoy classic coin-op ports. The original non-centering joysticks are famously fragile, which is why many collectors use refurbished or modern replacement controllers.
Joust FAQ
Who made Joust?
It was developed by Williams and published by Atari.
Is Joust multiplayer?
Yes. Joust supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Joust take to play?
As a platformer, Joust typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Joust on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.