Reviews

This is a great one-on-one martial arts game. Worth a look for any fan of the genre, and even better as a two player game.
The format will be instantly familiar to anyone who has played any eighties karate games. There is nothing terribly original here, but it is done very well. There are a good selection of moves and counter moves, and contacts feel fair.
The presentation, past the early eighties looking menu screen, is very nice. Backgrounds are attractive and colourful, and the sound really adds something to the game. With a funky title tune, crunchy fighting sounds, and clear speech from the judge.
However, it was eclipsed from the start by the greater 'Way of the Exploding Fist', and later by its own sequel, 'IK+'. These two games leave International Karate feeling a bit redundant.

While outshone by its sequel IK+, this is still an excellent fighting game with plenty of charm and some of the best use of speech in a Spectrum game. This is top quality.

1985 System 3 Software (UK)

Forever out shadowed by the groundbreaking Way of the Exploding Fist released that same year, IK as nothing to be ashamed of.
Both games are equally good, IK as less realistic graphics and looks a bit more amateurish in comparison, but just slightly, otherwise it's still a great game.
I wonder If I would have felt the same about IK had I played it before The Exploding Fist which caused a great impression on me? I'm certain I would.

This first version also deserves a 5.
Altough it's slightly less avanced, it's top quality also. Martial arts forever