Review of Karateka for Atari XE

This is a review of the game Karateka for the Atari XE Computer. The game was originally developed for the Apple II by Jordan Mechner in 1984. The game was quite groundbreaking at the time as it had a background story. The storytelling continued as you played the game. The game had very nice graphics compared to others. It was also the game which made Jordan Mechner sure he should make games for a living. Later successes like Prince of Persia proved that he did the right choice.

I hope you enjoy this first review on Ketils GEEK TV. Be sure to rate, comment and eventually sub if you are so inclined.

Apologies for the slight blur seen on some of the game sequences, and my n00b blue screen. :-) I am still learning!

Special thanks to lationreview here on youtube. He kindly borrowed me the Jordan Mechner interview.

Sources:
http://jordanmechner.com/
http://www.wikipeida.com
http://www.cheatbook.de/wfiles/karete...
http://strategywiki.org/wiki/Karateka

• Category

  Gaming

[JimPlaysGames]

This game looks incredible for the time. The animation is excellent. Can't believe I never heard of it. I think I'll check it out, but I'll probably go for the Atari ST version since that looks nicer :)

Great review and very well produced. The bloopers at the end are great too. I'll remember never to approach a princess in that stance.

[KetilsGEEKTV]

Thanks for the comment. I heard that the Atari ST version is beyond horrible, and that the 8 bit version is the best. But I havent played the ST version myself.

[atombat]

I have this for the 7800, but I've never played it, looks really cool, will definately play it now though.

[KetilsGEEKTV]

Haven't played the 7800 version, but people say nasty things about it. But I can't imagine that it is much different than on the XEGS, so then it should be pretty decent.

[DracIsBack]

Karateka is waaayy better on the XE than the 7800. The XE version is basically a cart version of the disk game that was done by Broderbund originally. The 7800 version was quickly (and badly) converted by a cheap-ass development house and is far, far worse than it should be.

[KetilsGEEKTV]

Thanks for enlightening me! :-)

[DGneoseeker1]

Why on EARTH did they use a blond caucasian girl on the box art to represent an asian princess?

[1979starscream]

If any found this version of Karateka, it ONLY works with Atari 130 XE! (and found the disk version or the tape version)

[ChadC919]

Where did that "Fatailty" come from? Hmmm.  Mortal Kombat - Duh!

[ChadC919]

You are my Eternal Beloved.

[ChadC919]

This is my music.

[ChadC919]

I loved my brother's Atari, but I was too young to play.

[ChadC919]

My life is fighting game.

[A.E. Miazma]

wow, i never realized Karateka had gore in it (gate death)

And lol @ "Ramming speed!!!" Reminded me of Army of Darkness with the tiny Ash's.

[zadeh79]

This game was notable (and so is mechner) for implementing rotoscoping animation.

[11RisingPhoenix]

Kararteka (I had NES version)... Good times!