Karate Champ (US)

Step into the ring with Karate Champ, a two-player versus fighting game released by Data East USA in 1984. Originally developed in Japan as Karate Dou, this North American version features a unique storyline and English voice acting compared to its predecessor. Players choose one of four karate masters and face off against opponents through a series of increasingly challenging matches, utilizing punches, kicks, and throws to deplete their opponent’s health bar. The gameplay revolves around mastering various karate moves and strategically exploiting openings in your rival's defense. Successfully executing combos earns points while dodging attacks is crucial for survival. Karate Champ also incorporates distinct bonus stages offering a change of pace from the head-to-head combat, providing opportunities to earn extra points and further test player skill. This arcade classic has seen numerous ports across various platforms since its initial release, including home consoles and mobile devices. A world record score of 250,600 was achieved in 2011, demonstrating the game’s enduring appeal and potential for high-level play. Notably, a cabinet of Karate Champ once belonged to Michael Jackson and was later sold at auction.