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Joshua & the Battle of Jericho

Sega Genesis

Sega Genesis

In this game the player controls Joshua, the leader of the Jewish people after the death of Moses. Joshua must lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Canaan), but there are many puzzles and obstacles that stand in his way - falling rocks, hostile soldiers and other things. Using his horn and...

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Developer
Wisdom Tree

Released on
1994

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Sega Genesis

Requirements
Sega Genesis

Downloads
Education

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

In this game the player controls Joshua, the leader of the Jewish people after the death of Moses. Joshua must lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Canaan), but there are many puzzles and obstacles that stand in his way – falling rocks, hostile soldiers and other things. Using his horn and other special weapons to defeat enemies, Joshua will face some of the nations mentioned in the Bible, such as the Hitties, the Amorites, the Gibeonites, and the Gezerites.

Joshua & the Battle of Jericho

Overview & History

Released in 1992 by Wisdom Tree, Joshua & the Battle of Jericho is a rare and culturally significant title for the Sega Genesis, specifically notable as one of the few unlicensed, faith-based games developed for the 16-bit console. Sidestepping Sega's official licensing seal, Wisdom Tree carved out a distinct niche by adapting biblical narratives into traditional platforming experiences. In this historical-religious journey, players step into the sandals of Joshua, successor to Moses, tasked by God with leading the Israelites across the Jordan River and conquering the heavily fortified Canaanite city of Jericho. The game is celebrated among retro collectors not only for its unique thematic approach, which incorporates trivia questions from Exodus and Joshua before advancing stages, but also for its surprisingly robust engine that pushed through the Genesis hardware despite lacking official developer kits.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard action platformers of the era where characters wield swords or blasters, Joshua relies entirely on the power of faith and specialized instruments. Gameplay spans diverse environments including the arid desert and the perimeter of Jericho, blending side-scrolling exploration with puzzle-solving. Joshua’s primary offensive capability is blowing his ram's horn (shofar), which projects a sonic wave capable of stunning or destroying enemies such as hostile soldiers, desert wildlife, and roaming guards. Additionally, Joshua can collect oil flasks to light torches, push heavy stone blocks to solve pathway obstructions, and gather sacred artifacts. Movement mechanics require precise timing over disappearing platforms and treacherous chasms. Health is represented by a heart meter, and players must navigate checkpoint-free stages that demand memorization and tactical pacing. The ultimate goal culminates in the iconic final sequence: marching around the monolithic walls of Jericho seven times while blasting the shofar until the fortifications literally crumble into dust.