International Karate
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Copyright/Publisher: System 3, Release Year: 1986,
Genre: Fighting Sports, Number Of Players: 1 or 2
Aaaaiiii! Crack! Ouch! International Karate is another variation on the martial arts theme
that gives you the chance to rearrange features, break shins, and generally abuse an
opponent to the full.
You take control of a white robed karate bully boy with thirteen different moves at your
disposal. Kicks, punches and somersaults are all accessible via the joystick - pushing it in
one of the eight directions either with or without the fire buttoin depressed, results in the
execution of a manoeuvre.
There are two playing options, allowing you to fight either a computer opponent or a
human one. The single player game has you playing as many 30-second bouts as you can survive,
with the objective of beating up and outscoring the computer controlled fighter. Depending
on how well a move is executed, a half or full point is awarded and the first person to score
two full points is declared the winner. Any time remaining is converted into bonus points. By
winning two bouts you are promoted to a higher belt and set against a more intelligent and
and violent opponent, and a different backdrop (there are four different ones on each side of
the cassette). However, if the computer player scores two points, the match and game is over.
If the timer reaches zero before a fighter scores two points then the chap with the
highest score for that bout is declared the winner. Between rounds there is a bonus screen
which further tests your skills and gives you the opportunity to earn more points. The first
is a tile breaking contest where you have to destroy as many tiles as you can with your head,
and the second puts your reflexes to the thest as you try to dodge the various spears and
other deadly objects slung at you by the computer.
The two player game is played over three 90-second bouts. Twelve dots, six red and six
white, are displayed at the top of the screen. When onr player successfully overcomes the
other, one of the loser's dots is turned into the victor's colour. The winner is the first
player to turn all twelve dots to their own colour. After three bouts the victor goes on
to play a computer opponent.
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Gary Penn |
To be honest, I thought that playing yet another variation on the martial arts theme was going to be
something of a chore. I've played, and become wholly bored of Exploding Fist, but I found
that playing International Karate was far from dull and I haven't enjoyed myself so much in
ages. It's far better than Fist in every way - the graphics are smoother and faster, and
make Fist's look crude in comparison.
The music is amazing and the sound effects are great - both complement the game well.
International Karate is playable and addictive, and the pace is fast and furious. At the
price no self respecting fan of the genre should overlook it.
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Julian Rignall |
Although this type of game has appeared before, the gameplay has tended to be somewhat flawed,
allowing players to demolish top opponents time after time by using the same move. This one is
different - the intelligence of the computer player and the speed at which the game is played
makes it a a lot harder and more challenging to play then any other fighting game.
Graphically the game is excellent, with well animated characters moving speedily across the
varied backdrops, which are also very good. All the way through the game an atmospheric and very
long Rob Hubbard piece clanks away, and there are also some good sound effects. If you want
the best fighting game available and have six and a half quid spare then go out and get this.
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Gary Liddon |
Comparisons to Way of the Exploding Fist are quite frankly unavoidable. International Karate
is a bit similar, but it is a damm sight better. The action is very fast indeed and it is more
fun to play than it's comtemporaries. As fighting games go this seems to be the best and at
the price anyone into synthetic violence shouldn't miss it.
What really surprised me about IK though was the Rob Hubbard sound track. It is really good, much
better than the all of his recent work. Hopefully this marks a bit of a change. IK is definitely
System 3's best product for the 64 to date, and is worth a look at as it's really rather good.
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