IK+ (International Karate +)
IK+ (International Karate +) is a 1987 fighting game developed by System 3 and designed by Archer Maclean, an acclaimed sequel to International Karate on home computers. Unlike typical one-on-one fighters, it pits three karateka against one another simultaneously, with the player facing two computer-controlled opponents at once in a continuous scramble for points.
Fighters score points by landing clean, controlled blows rather than depleting a health bar, and the aim is to stay ahead of both rivals across a fast, fluid exchange of kicks, punches, sweeps, and blocks, with the lowest-scoring fighter periodically eliminated. Its smooth, fluid animation, responsive controls, and amusing bonus rounds, such as deflecting bouncing balls or kicking away a mischievous character trying to drop the players' trousers, made it one of the most polished martial-arts games of its era.
IK+ is remembered as a standout of the computer fighting genre. The original remains available through emulation and retro compilations for enthusiasts of classic combat games.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to IK+ (International Karate +), with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Nidhogg 2 Indie
€ 14,99An indie one-on-one dueling game with fast, tense fencing combat and quirky visuals.
Nidhogg 2 runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Playable.
The Karate Kid: Street Rumble Indie
€ 39,99A retro-styled karate game built on the same 8-bit martial-arts presentation.
The Karate Kid: Street Rumble runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Divekick Indie
€ 3,99A fighting game stripped to two buttons and one hit, all spacing and reads, like IK+ at its purest.
Divekick runs on PC, PlayStation. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Absolver Indie
€ 29,99A martial-arts combat game with deep fighting systems evolving the karate-duel idea.
Absolver runs on PC, PlayStation. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Unsupported.
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