Mister-VCS Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Played both versions this weekend - surprise, surprise: 7800 Joust looks and plays much better than 5200/XL Joust! The XL-version is a little bit on the easy side and the "Joust-feeling" is missing in comparison to the 7800- and 2600 (!) version. My fun-ranking: 1. 7800 Joust 2. 2600 Joust 3. 5200/XL Joust comments? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I grew up playing the XL version on my XE. Loved it, was my favorite Atari game. Once I got a 7800, just like you, I was surprised. Looks better, and plays great. Pretty much my favorite 7800 game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thursday83 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Surprised? 7800 rules all versions of Joust. Glad you discovered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Also, just throwing it out there, if you have one of these Genesis controllers: They are great for Joust. You can shift from a normal flap to turbo-flap, just by moving your finger up to the turbo-dedicated button. In the XE version (not sure about 2600) using a turbo will bounce you off the "ceiling" once you are that high and get you killed. In the 7800, you simply maintain max (or close to max) altitude along the ceiling just by holding it. It also means you can gain altitude in a hurry without destroying your thumb. This post brought to you by Cheaty McCheaterson. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Outside of the Arcade (And arguably for some even including the Arcade), the 7800 is the best version overall, inclusive of comparison to the 5200/XL or NES. I absolutely love it and one of the system's top games for me with 'Advanced' setting providing a harder start than the Arcade, but a ramp-up difficulty better matching it than 'Intermediate': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0euJM0bdN00 Two player simultaneous action is always sweet too, and the fact that you can adjust the game's challenge to one or two levels easier from the above, and one level more difficult, provides a starting level of gameplay where many can find a setting they enjoy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Coincidentally, had a blast playing 2600 Joust last night. I've had it since BITD of course, but am still amazed at how well they captured the feel of the arcade in that translation. Agree about the 7800 version being something of a masterpiece though. Pretty much enjoy all versions of Joust and the knockoffs across all platforms. Such a unique gem that never seems to get old. Even TI's Hen Pecked, as flawed as it is, has its charms: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 The 7800 version reigns supreme. Here's my ordering: 7800 Joust NES Joust 2600 Joust Lynx Joust The Lynx orientation I'm not crazy about. 2600 Joust is definitely a very well-made game for the system, and probably my top 20 on the system. If it weren't for the later ports, it'd probably be top 10. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Pretty much enjoy all versions of Joust and the knockoffs across all platforms. Such a unique gem that never seems to get old. Even TI's Hen Pecked, as flawed as it is, has its charms: Interesting to think about the knock offs. I've seen more than one person say Balloon Fight on NES is better, which I totally disagree with. Had never heard of Hen Pecked. There must be others right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectorGamer Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 My son and I just made YouTube vids recently for Joust on various platforms. 8-bit: http://youtu.be/ZTlCxbNG5IM 2600: http://youtu.be/oCunraaFP9w 7800: http://youtu.be/cYsaml4x6R0 NES: http://youtu.be/O0JZhX4FH7U ColecoVision: http://youtu.be/JjLb8geVs84 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg2600 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Joust is just a simple fun game, so it's no surprise nearly all versions are good games. Can't say the same for Joust 2! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Joust is just a simple fun game, so it's no surprise nearly all versions are good games. Can't say the same for Joust 2! Yeah I've tried it on MAME and on the Midway Collection. I don't know if it's the "maps" or the physics, just not right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I don't know if it's the "maps" or the physics, just not right. Flipping to vertical then cutting the area, instead of leaving the horizontal layout was a really bad move too. Combining that with the bigger/bulkier platforms and other objects on the screen, made for one frustrating experience trying to move around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosystemsearch Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 This makes me wonder... How many levels does Joust 7800 have, and what happens when you beat the highest one? Do you get a special end screen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Oberhäuser Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Played the 2600 version to death back in the days, but I have to agree, the 7800 is really awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Forgot about the Game Boy version: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Interesting to think about the knock offs. I've seen more than one person say Balloon Fight on NES is better, which I totally disagree with. Had never heard of Hen Pecked. There must be others right? Oh yeah, Balloon Fight is excellent for what it is. Plays real well too. Might be the best Joust knock-off IMO actually. Been years since I last played it (still have it on one of those NoaC controllers), but remember some interesting gameplay involved as there are a couple of balloons to pop which I think affects the way you maneuver. Will have to give it a try soon in light of the remembrances now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRedPlumber Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Here's my arrangement 7800 Joust NES Joust GB Joust 2600 Joust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiddlepaddle Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Joust is a great two player game. Balloon Fight is very similar, but it includes the Balloon Trip one-player mode (one of only a few games which scroll left instead of right) that is a very "pure" game; very simple controls, yet quite challenging, and addicting with instant restarts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE146 Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 While I agree 7800 Joust is closer, I prefer the gameplay of the 8bit version .. especially with the "bouncy" ceiling where you can flap fast up to bounce off the ceiling and totally scream back down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabertoothRetro Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 1. 7800 2. 2600 3. 5200 I don't have it on 8-bit but imagine its similar to the 5200 version. If we're bringing handhelds into it, the Lynx is my number 2 version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skosh Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 1. 7800 2. NES / Apple ][ 3. 5200 4. 2600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoTonah Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I think the first home version of Joust I played was Buzzard Bait for the TRS-80 Color Computer. Not bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treismac Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I really enjoy Joust on the 2600 (my first taste of the classic), 7800, and NES, and I need to play all three of them next to each other to evaluate them together. With that said, I prefer Balloon Fight with it's smooth play control and cheery graphics. The Gameboy's Balloon Kid is pretty awesome with it's vs. mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg2600 Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Balloon Fight is a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treismac Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Alright, I've played the 2600, 7800, and NES port, on both the original hardware and emulation to eliminate video quality and controller bias, and I think I prefer them in that order. The 2600's graphics, simplistic as they are, look nicer than the 7800's port's, which are rough. The NES has by far the best looking graphics and sound effects, though the 7800 has the extra animations like visibly (as opposed to suddenly) disappearing platforms and orphaned flying ostriches. I think the NES version has superior play control EXCEPT for one major failing: the weight & initial take off of the ostrich rider. Man, it seems so much harder and slower to take off from the ground or gain initial altitude on the NES, to the point of changing the strategy of the how you have to play the game. I didn't notice this before, and, evidently, adapted, but, now playing the three ports side by side, it irks the hell out of me.With all of this said, let me double down on my preference for Balloon Fight, Joust rocks, but the play control of Balloon Fight makes flight so much easier and fun that it is hard to go from it back to Joust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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