Retro Corner: 'International Karate +'

First Released: 1987 (C64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC)
Now Available On: Virtual Console (500 Nintendo Points)

Gamers of the '80s were in mourning this week following the news that Commodore founder Jack Tramiel has passed away. The Polish-born entrepreneur was responsible for some of the most important home computers of all time, not least the Commodore 64. In tribute to Tramiel, we have revisited one of the best games to appear on the platform, International Karate +.

The rivalry between C64 owners and their ZX Spectrum counterparts was up there with Blur vs Oasis in terms of ferocity. Both machines had a great deal going for them, but the Commodore packed more powerful hardware, allowing for superior graphics in many instances. Games like IK+ emphasised this, with the C64 edition being the most colourful and polished on the market.

IK+ was a martial arts sim, and one of the best fighting games around at the time. Providing a twist on the versus formula, matches saw three karateka duke it out against a beach backdrop. It was every man for himself, and the object was to score points by flooring your opponents as many times as possible before the sensei called time on the round.

The fighters were ranked at the end of each bout, and the player was eliminated from the tournament if they finished bottom of the pile. There were only a few varieties of punch and kick on offer, yet it was enough to facilitate strategic play. Striking the T button on the keyboard saw your opponent's trousers fall down, giving you the chance to land a sneaky attack.

Up to two people could play at once, meaning that at least one fighter was always controlled by the computer. This made for some interesting multiplayer contests, as it was a choice between teaming up against the computer, or going free-for-all.

However, it wasn't all about pummelling each other. There were bonus games sandwiched in between rounds. One involved deflecting bouncing balls, the other kicking away bombs (although the latter was omitted from the C64 version).

IK+ was praised as much for its soundtrack as it was for its robust fighting mechanics. Rob Hubbard, who wrote the game's score, was a sound effects pioneer in gaming during the 8-bit era. In 2005, music from IK+ was performed at the Symphonic Game Music Concert in Leipzig, Germany, arranged and orchestrated by Hubbard.

The game garnered a large following in Europe, and its popularity endured into the 16-bit era. Successful ports were released for the Amiga and Atari ST in the late 1980s, and platforms such as the PlayStation and Game Boy Advance more than a decade later. It never caught on in quite the same way in North America, but maintains cult status over there.

Although the Amiga and ST iterations were visually superior, the C64 version of IK+ was definitive, and it was this edition that was given a re-release in the current generation via the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console service.

IK+ holds up well in terms of playability and is a bargain at 500 Nintendo Points. Contemporary gamers might not be as forgiving about the laboured character movement as their '80s predecessors, but the high-score fanatics will no doubt enjoy the challenge of rising up through the ranks to claim their black belts.

Do you have any fond memories of International Karate +? Write a comment in the space below!