World Karate Championship

The Good
When people see a fighting game today, they usually think they are based on Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat, and in severe cases - Tekken. But the fighting game tradition started years before these fireball flinging, special move totting, and combo throwing monstrosities. Games such as Death Sword, Bushido, Karateka and of course, WKC.
WKC doesn't feature any special moves, 10 feet jumps or fireballs. What it does feature are some very accurate karate moves, correct fighting tactics and much more realistic gameplay in general. Knocking down you opponent in one accurate blow, beating your rival in three well-timed blows, without him ever lay a hand (or foot) on you. It's a lot more satisfying than slowly lowering you opponent's health bar (what is this health bar anyway? It's ridiculous!), with enough blows and fireballs to crush a medium-sized tank.

Like I said, the graphics and animations are of top-notch quality for CGA in 1986, featuring smooth, flowing kicks and fast punches. They are almost as good as Prince of Persia's animation, which came out 3 years later!

WKC also has cool oriental music, coming from the PC-speaker with no special tweaks, which is constantly played in the background - and NEVER gets on your nerves! The only other game I can think which has good background music is the legendary Digger, and even Digger's music gets on your nerves after 20 minutes of playing.


The Bad
The interface is a bit strange - arrow keys and Caps Lock?!

Also, in higher levels, the computer AI responds with inhuman reflexes and speed. I have played this game quite a lot, and never got to black belt. Yet I still try now and then.

The Bottom Line
Meditative and serene, then fast and furious, and back again - World Karate Championship will take you to places you have never seen in any other fighting game.

The Good
A lot! Indeed it is a lot like International Karate - even the music is pretty much the same (although, as Jim noted, IK never came out for the PC). I used to play this one for hours on my XT... The graphics are spectacular (especially when considering the time period), the controls are decent, the music is very well done for PC speaker and is very catchy. Most importantly, the game itself is extremely fun to play!

The Bad
It's very repetitive, but then it's from 1986 - what did you expect?

The Bottom Line
A real classic for the XT. I like this game and so should you!