Joust 7800 box art

Atari 7800 · Platformer / Action

Joust

Co-op

SystemAtari 7800
GenrePlatformer, Action
DeveloperWilliams
PublisherAtari
Players1–2 players (co-op)
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 7

Released for the Atari 7800, Joust is a platformer developed by Williams and published by Atari. This 7800 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1982. It blends platformer and action elements.

Among the 8 7800 platformers in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.

Williams also made Robotron: 2084 for the 7800.

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

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 gameplay screenshot on 7800
In-game screenshot (7800)

Joust walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Joust.

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Playing 7800 games today

The 7800 has a compact library with a handful of standout arcade ports and a lively homebrew scene. The Atari 2600+ and 7800+ reissues play original 7800 cartridges over HDMI.

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.

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