Urban Champion Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Fighting
Karate Champ
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1986 (originally 1984) |
| Genre | Fighting |
| Developer | SAS Sakata |
| Publisher | Data East |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Developed by SAS Sakata and published by Data East, Karate Champ arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986 as a fighting game. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984.
It came out in the NES's second year on the market. Other notable NES releases from 1986 include Arkanoid, Metroid and Dragon Quest. Among the 12 NES fighting games in our database, it ranks #8 by legacy score.
SAS Sakata also made Karnov and Boulder Dash for the NES.
Karate Champ supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you prefer story-driven games or have no one to play against
What playing Karate Champ is like
Fighting games pit two characters against each other in short one-on-one bouts. Depth comes from learning special moves, combos and each character's strengths.
Tip for newcomers: Pick one character and learn their basic special moves before branching out. Fighting games are at their best against a friend at a similar skill level.
Karate Champ cheats & codes
9 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| After First Point, The Game Resets To The Title Screen At The First Attack | PISOZZ |
|---|---|
| Game Freezes On First Attack | KISOZZ |
Karate Champ walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Karate Champ.
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Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Karate Champ FAQ
When did Karate Champ come out on the NES?
Karate Champ was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986; the original game dates back to 1984.
Who made Karate Champ?
It was developed by SAS Sakata and published by Data East.
Is Karate Champ multiplayer?
Yes. Karate Champ supports up to 2 players.
How long does Karate Champ take to play?
As a fighting game, Karate Champ typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Karate Champ on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.