Overview and Gameplay
Daniel LaRusso enters a four-stage challenge that begins with tournament bouts and continues through Okinawa, a typhoon, and the summer festival. Developed specifically for the NES, The Karate Kid mixes one-on-one fights with side-scrolling action and platforming. Daniel defeats Chozen’s followers, avoids wind, birds, debris, spears, and rocks, enters bonus rooms, and reaches a confrontation with Chozen.
Controls And Mechanics
- Movement: The directional pad handles walking, jumping, and crouching.
- Combat: A performs punches and B performs kicks, with directional inputs producing jumping and crouching attacks.
- Special techniques: Pressing A without a direction uses a limited Drum Punch, while B without a direction uses a limited Crane Kick. Symbols and bonus-stage rewards replenish them.
- Progression: Daniel starts with three chances, earns another every 20,000 points, and has no continues. Checkpoints reduce repetition in later stages.
- Two players: The campaign supports alternating turns, while One-on-One mode lets Daniel and Chozen fight simultaneously without special techniques.
Release And Credits
- Release year: 1987
- Developer: Atlus
- Publisher: LJN
- Original platform: NES
