# Karateka Classic

> 1984 side-scrolling martial arts adventure game. (iPhone/iPad app by DotEmu.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/karateka-classic/id636777828 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [DotEmu](https://appshunter.io/developer/329185054)
- Category: Games, Action, Family
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 88 App Store ratings · 163 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 13 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-05-16
- Data updated: 2026-08-06
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/karateka-classic/id636777828/reviews.md

## What is Karateka Classic?

A side-scrolling karate classic from 1984! The first game by the creator of Prince of Persia, Karateka arrives on iOS with all the challenge and charm of the original Apple II experience. Fight as the lone hero to save the princess from the evil warlord Akuma. His relentless guards and pesky hawk will challenge your skill whether you remember the original, have played the remake, or are experiencing Karateka for the first time.

## Key features

- Side-scrolling combat
- Classic 1984 gameplay
- Save the princess quest
- Challenging enemy AI
- Original Apple II experience

## What do users think of Karateka Classic?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Faithful recreation of the classic Apple II game
- 🎮 Responsive and intuitive controls
- 🕹️ Authentic retro feel with monochrome display options
- 💰 Affordable price point

**Cons**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔍 Lack of visual updates or modern enhancements
- 🕹️ Difficulty may be too high for some new players

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Black screen or missing graphics on certain devices
- Rewind function not working as expected
- Sound issues or loss of audio

**Most requested features**

- Support for external keyboards and controllers
- Leaderboards and competitive features
- Difficulty options or accessibility settings

## Recent user reviews (10 of 163)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/karateka-classic/id636777828/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Yes. The hero’s story perfectly ported(!).

*2026-07-17*

A minty-fresh time capsule for the nostalgic geriatric (me) 
…oh, and young armchair archaeologists who wanna know what we were doing between dinosaurs and today.

Very funny to have the game pause between scenes and hear the floppy disc drive whirling. It kind’a plays to the whole childish, giddy enjoyment. 
(Yet very frustrating back in the day. Right?! High five!)

I remember I couldn’t afford buying computer games but …my friend buying this game when it was new and after hours of taking trillions (* estimation) turns in frustration…to win we teamed up where one of us controlled the character’s movement and the other controlled the punching and kicking. 

Our focus as a team was intense and we learned to communicate and anticipate what we wanted from each other. It surprised us both how quickly we won with that strategy. 3-4 attempts to find out that woman packs a punch!
(5th attempt felt like we landed Apollo 11 on the moon. And lived to tell the tale)

Much like children today across cultures and continents playing in teams online. 

My goodness…there seems to be a bigger picture here…
Nah, probably not.

The Mechner family gave us a gift with brilliantly blended elegant minimalism, sharp style, action and cinematic storytelling complete with a dramatic musical score. 

A father, son and daughter collaboration. Mom traditionally provided Hungry Man(tm) TV Dinners*.
(* look that up dear youn archaeologists.)

Yes, the game’s theme is an old fashioned, outdated trope. 

But so too is the child in me who enjoys the ol’ school games every now and then to stoke up some memories of people and things that can’t happen again.

I hope you 1) enjoyed my review and 2) didn’t actually read this far. Apologies.
🤪blabber-blabber!

ENJOY! 
(*the game and your life)

10/10 (the game)
??/10 (…life…)

🏁

### 4/5 — A Request for the Developers

*2025-04-16*

As a lifelong devoted "Karateka" who started playoing this game in the 1980s on my beloved Apple ii computer and is still happily playing it on this app today, I have one request to REALLY bring the total 1980s classic experience back. Developers, could you provide Bluetooth keyboard and Bluetooth game controller functionality? It would be truly "authentic" if the user could play Karateka on an iPad or iPhone without having the massive online touchscreen keypad obscuring the scenery.

### 5/5 — Apple II forever

*2025-03-01*

Merci d’avoir adapté le légendaire Karatéka de mon Apple IIe d’enfance sur iPhone. Maintenant qu’on peut lancer les apps iPhone sur Mac, ce serait top d’avoir la possibilité d’y jouer aussi  au clavier car la avec la souris on peut taper ou avancer mais pas les 2 en même temps

### 5/5 — Karateka!!

*2024-10-23*

Wow. 🤩 

Highly recommend revisiting this classic. 

Just began reading Mechner’s “Replay : Memoir of an uprooted family”. Came back to review and replay.

### 3/5 — So good! Would be great with keyboard or joystick.

*2024-02-15*

So good! Would be great with keyboard or joystick.

### 5/5 — Awesome Tribute To A Classic

*2023-01-11*

This was a very faithful remake of the classic Apple II game. It even included the sound of an old floppy disk drive as it loaded the game! That’s a sound I haven’t heard for a very long time.

   In case you’re not old enough to have played the game before, be sure to try taking a fighting stance as you approach the princess. Also, at the very beginning of the game, try moving to the left instead of the right to see what happens.

   The only part of the original game that can’t be duplicated now was the easter egg that resulted if you put the program disk in upside down. The game would load, but the screen was flipped. The fights took place upside down at the top of the screen.

   Thanks to the developer for making it possible to relive playing a great old game.

### 4/5 — 시스템내부에 아직 미흡한점이 있긴한데

*2022-06-26*

어릴때 패미컴 하던 시절이 떠오르네

### 5/5 — ㊗️iOS15.1対応ヤッター

*2021-12-23*

thank you DOTEMU

### 1/5 — Не работает

*2021-12-20*

I phone XR приложение работает некорректно. Есть звук, отображается управление персонажем, но нет изображения. Пожалуйста, исправьте.

### 1/5 — Black Screen

*2021-12-19, version 1.10*

I have only a black screen on my iPad Air 2020. The only thing “working” is the sound. Please fix it.

## Frequently asked questions about Karateka Classic

### What is Karateka Classic?

Karateka Classic is a side-scrolling martial arts adventure game originally released in 1984. It features classic gameplay mechanics and challenges, allowing players to experience the charm of the original Apple II version.

### What is the objective of the game?

The objective of Karateka Classic is to play as a lone hero who must fight his way through various challenges to save a princess from an evil warlord named Akuma. This involves battling his guards and a pesky hawk.

### Is Karateka Classic free to play?

Based on the provided information, Karateka Classic is a paid application. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### What platforms is Karateka Classic available on?

The description specifically mentions that Karateka Classic arrives on iOS. Compatibility with other platforms is not detailed in the provided information.

### Who created Karateka Classic?

Karateka Classic is the first game created by the individual who later became the creator of Prince of Persia. This highlights its historical significance in the gaming industry.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.11 — 2021-12-23

Os 15.1 issue fixed !

### 1.10 — 2018-03-13

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Available for iOS 11.

### 1.01 — 2013-06-06

Added Automatic Save feature
Added Restart Button in Option menu
Added the ability to disable the Rewind mode 
Minor bug fixes

### 1.0 — 2013-05-03

No release notes.

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All apps by DotEmu: https://appshunter.io/developer/329185054

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-06.*