Joust 2: Survival of the Fittest

Joust 2: Survival of the Fittest
Promotional flyer
Developer(s)	Williams Electronics
Publisher(s)	Williams Electronics
Designer(s)	John Newcomer
Programmer(s)	Joe Hellensen Kristina Donofrio Warren Davis[1]
Artist(s)	John Newcomer Jack Haeger Tim Elliott (cabinet)
Composer(s)	Chris Granner
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release	December 1986
Genre(s)	Action/Platform
Mode(s)	1-2 player simultaneous
Arcade system	Williams Rev. 2 CPU: M6809 (@ 1 MHz) Sound CPU: M6808 (@ 1 MHz), M6809 (@ 2 MHz) Sound Chips: Yamaha YM2151 FM, MC1408 DAC, Harris HC55536 CVSD

Joust 2: Survival of the Fittest is an arcade game developed by Williams Electronics and released in 1986. It is a sequel to Williams' 1982 game Joust. Like its predecessor, Joust 2 is a 2D aerial combat game with platforms to land on. The player uses a button and joystick to control a knight riding a flying ostrich. The object is to progress through levels by defeating groups of enemy knights riding buzzards. Joust 2 features improved audio-visuals and new features such as mutant buzzards created by eggs falling into lava, the ability to transform from an ostrich to a flying horse, and differently themed levels. Waves no longer seamlessly flow into each other; the gameplay is divided into separate screens with transitions between them.

John Newcomer led development again, which began to create a kit allowing arcade owners to convert an existing cabinet into another game. The original Joust used a horizontal monitor, but Williams chose a vertically oriented screen for the kit as a result of the design's popularity at the time.

Released during the waning days of the golden age of arcade games, Joust 2 did not achieve the success that Joust reached. The game was not ported to contemporary home systems, but was later released as part of arcade game compilations.