I still like to play all 3 of the games listed in the OP. I probably play Yie Ar the most though. If we are adding ninjas, Legend of Kage is a fun game.
Favorite Old-School Karate Game....
- Thread starter Schusler
- Start date
Yep, this is my favorite Ninja game.
Oryk Zinyo
Well-known member
Here are the factors as fea as I am concerned:
Only collectors want it. It is not a mainstream, and therefore high demand, machine like Ms Pac, Gallaga, or DK.
There are a ton of them. The odd joystick configuration coupled with the vertical monitor created a difficult conversion.
Appeal. While it is a great game and a ton of fun to play against others once you are used to the controls it doesn't appeal to someone coming in off of the street. The unique control scheme cretes a steep learning curve.
Big picture: There is a larger supply than demand for this particular game and that keeps prices down. The same is true of many of the popular black and white games like Sprint 2.
MaximRecoil
Well-known member
Karate Champ (U.S. Player vs. Player version) was the first arcade game that I ever got good at (I was 9; 1984). I'd buy one if I came across one nearby in good shape. However, it would mainly be for nostalgic reasons, as I don't think the game holds up very well today. I much prefer SFII.
I've made it through the first cycle of the game using just one move (kneeling reverse punch, usually a "full point" [800], but sometimes a "half point" [400]). Once you get back to the first stage, it becomes next to impossible; for me anyway. The CPU opponent is moving at at least twice your speed by that time.
So the game is kind of boring when you only need to use one move to see all the stages in the game. Playing against a human opponent isn't much better, because of the limited scope of the available attacks. Standoffs are too common among two decent players, and there are no long distance attacks to force the other player's hand.
Oddly enough, Punch-Out and Super Punch-Out; fighting games of a different style; came out at about the same time, and they still very much hold up today IMO. In fact, I've yet to play a non-PO series boxing game that I even like, much less one that I think compares to the PO games.
I've made it through the first cycle of the game using just one move (kneeling reverse punch, usually a "full point" [800], but sometimes a "half point" [400]). Once you get back to the first stage, it becomes next to impossible; for me anyway. The CPU opponent is moving at at least twice your speed by that time.
So the game is kind of boring when you only need to use one move to see all the stages in the game. Playing against a human opponent isn't much better, because of the limited scope of the available attacks. Standoffs are too common among two decent players, and there are no long distance attacks to force the other player's hand.
Oddly enough, Punch-Out and Super Punch-Out; fighting games of a different style; came out at about the same time, and they still very much hold up today IMO. In fact, I've yet to play a non-PO series boxing game that I even like, much less one that I think compares to the PO games.
Phetishboy
Well-known member
I'm throwing Double Dragon into the mix. It's a martial arts inspired game for sure. I am restoring one right now and can't wait to have it in the gameroom. This was one of the few games that I longed for all week until I was able to go the arcade on Friday and Saturday nights (it was 25 miles away) back in '86. I got it up and running last night and nearly fainted I was so happy.
If we are now adding "martial arts" to the mix, I second Double Dragon. My buddy and I would head to the arcade and finish this game first before moving on to other games.
So, for me:
Karate - Karate Champ
Ninja - Legend of Kage
General Martial Arts - Double Dragon
Yep, you are correct. So try point pressing on every stage. I've been trying to get a full point, half point and then another full point on each stage. The first few stages it's easy to do this, but later on it becomes a race against the clock since at a certain point you'll get more of a bonus for beating your opponent than getting full, half, full...
Karateka on the Apple II was awesome. Loved that game. Reminds me that I need to get my Apple II up and running again so I can check it out.
MaximRecoil
Well-known member
That's another game with a God-like move (the almighty elbow smash) which renders all other moves in the game irrelevant. I still like it though; lots of nostalgia for that one. I played a ton of it at Fossa's general store on the way home from school back in '87 and '88. It is best played with two players. There was never any shortage of additional players back then at the height of its popularity. In fact, you often had to wait in line to play.
sohchx
Active member
Mine was Kung fu heroes
OP
OP
Very true....Nothing irked me more... Saying they won the game on one quarter and then watching them play and continually use the elbow smash---boring!!!!
MaximRecoil
Well-known member
Karateka on the Apple II was awesome. Loved that game. Reminds me that I need to get my Apple II up and running again so I can check it out.
Try it on the Atari 7800 (lol). It is horrible. I've actually beaten it on the 7800, which is impossible to do unless you figure out one little thing, a thing that is totally counterintuitive (so you have to stumble across it accidentally, or have someone tell you). Even knowing the trick, it is not easy to beat (the control is extremely unresponsive and laggy; you have to be able to plan ahead, because when you press the joystick is not when your attack will happen); but it is definitely possible.
If Phetchird Simmons is putting Double Dragon in the mix, then I'm throwing Final Fight in the mix. Guy wears a gee so it counts (although he was left out of the SNES version, so it only had Cody and Haggar). Anywho, there are a lot of "martial arts" baddies in that game, so it gets my vote. Final Fight was AWESOME BITD. Haven't played it in years though.
Phetishboy
Well-known member
MaximRecoil
Well-known member
Spyridon
Well-known member
Karateka on the Apple II was awesome. Loved that game. Reminds me that I need to get my Apple II up and running again so I can check it out.
I played it on the Atari 800XL
jethrokiller
New member
I liked Kung Fu Master and Yie Ar Kung Fu. If your going newer games I'll throw in Ninja Gaiden.
Similar threads
