IK+ by Archer Maclean
Archer Maclean of Software Studios ported System 3's 1987 Commodore 64 version of IK+ to the Atari ST in 1988. IK+ is famous for its responsive controls, array of moves, smooth animations, impactful sound effects and 2-player mode.
The main difference between IK and IK+ is that IK+ features three simultaneous karateka, not two.
The Atari ST and Amiga versions of IK+ were programmed and drawn by Archer Maclean. Naturally, the Atari ST and Amiga versions of IK+ are much more colorful and detailed than the original C64 version. The Amiga version features better audio than the ST version, but it is otherwise a direct port of the ST version. IK+ employs digitized sound effects and a well-composed tune by Dave Lowe.
IK+ displays in 16-color 320x200. The drop-shadowed sprites are well-animated and colorful and the famous sunset backdrop is animated. However, there is only one backdrop.
The karateka can move forwards and backwards as well as jump, punch, kick, jump-kick, split-kick, sweep and head-butt. Each move has weight behind it and is accompanied by a digitized sound effect. All in all, there are 17 different moves that can be performed in IK+.
There are six belt colors to attain and over 25 levels to fight through. Points are awarded for each knock down of opponents; it is cool how the points display over the playfield. In addition, there are two different bonus screens.
The Atari ST version of IK+ was distributed on 1x 3.5" 720kB DD diskette; the Amiga version on 1x 3.5" 880kB DD diskette.
Needless to say, IK+ is highly playable and remains as one of the best versus fighters to appear on the ST/Amiga.
IK+ Commodore 64 1987
System 3 released the original version of IK+ for the Commodore 64 in October of 1987. IK+ was programmed by Archer Maclean and composed by Rob Hubbard.
International Karate Atari ST 1986
Andromeda Software ported Archer Maclean's original 1986 Commodore 64 version of International Karate to the Atari ST in December of 1986. The Atari ST version of International Karate was programmed by Istvan Cseri and drawn by Zoltan Toth aka Sultan.
International Karate displays in 16-color 320x200. International Karate features 14 different moves, eight international backdrops, character-sprite facial expressions and two different bonus screens.
International Karate is historically significant because it was the first versus Fighter to appear on a 16-bit home computer. And IK is a great versus Fighter as well; an excellent game that features good controls, graphics and music.
International Karate Commodore 64 1986
System 3 released the original version of International Karate for the Commodore 64 in April of 1986. International Karate was designed by Mark Cale, programmed by Archer Maclean and composed by Rob Hubbard.
The Way of the Exploding Fist Commodore 64 1985
Melbourne House released The Way of the Exploding Fist for Commodore 64 in June of 1985. Developed by Beam Software, The Way of the Exploding Fist was programmed by Gregg Barnett, drawn by Greg Holland and composed by Neil Brennan.
- 18x kung fu moves
- Drop-shadowed animated sprites
- 4x backgrounds
- Toggleable sound
- 1-player or 2-player
- Joystick or keyboard control
- Charging bull bonus round: Somersault over or crouch-punch the bull
As one might expect, the animations in The Way of the Exploding Fist of 1985 are not as smooth as the ones in IK or IK+ of 1986-87. However, for mid-1985 The Way of the Exploding Fist is utterly superb across the board; beyond criticism.
Karateka Apple 2 1984
Brøderbund released Karateka for the Apple 2 in December of 1984. Karateka was designed, programmed and drawn by Jordan Mechner. Karateka is a fighting game and cinematic platformer that features rotoscoped sprite animations and non-smooth screen-scrolling.
ST Karate Atari ST 1986
Point Blank of the U.K. released ST Karate for the Atari ST in 1986. ST Karate controls are good and the sprites are clearly drawn, well-animated and drop-shadowed. ST Karate features bonus rounds, in-round hazards, on-impact indicators, multiple opponents and 2-player versus mode.
Published by Eidersoft, ST Karate was programmed by Steve Kelly (Xenon), drawn by Eric Matthews (Gods), animated by Anne Macnamara and composed by Janko Mršic-Flögel (music) and David Jones (sound effects).
cf.:
Indexes:
- Budokan: The Martial Spirit IBM PC MS-DOS Electronic Arts 1989
- Street Fighter 2 IBM PC MS-DOS Creative Materials 1992
- Mortal Kombat IBM PC MS-DOS Probe Software 1993
- Shadow Fighter Amiga NAPS Team 1994
- Sento IBM PC MS-DOS 47-Tek 1994
- Rise of the Robots IBM PC MS-DOS Mirage Instinct 1994
- FX Fighter IBM PC MS-DOS Argonaut Software 1995
- Battle Arena Toshinden IBM PC MS-DOS Digital Dialect 1996
Indexes:
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