History VideoGame / Karnov

* MultipleEndings: The Famicom version features three endings where Karnov is rewarded by {{God}} for defeating the BigBad, based on how many continues you used to beat the game. Notably, all of the endings are good, it's just the extent to which they are varies. When the game was brought outside Japan however, the entire cutscene (including the prologue before the game starts) was dropped, and it just shows a simple [[AWinnerIsYou "The End"]]. That being said, the overseas version gives you unlimited continues, whereas the Japanese one declares a Game Over if you died too much.

* OneHitPointWonder: Karnov dies in one hit on any occasion in the arcade version. The NES version has a more generous HP system, where Karnov can stand one more hit, which would turn him blue instead. He can be restored to his normal form by collecting a fireball upgrade.

* MultipleEndings: The Famicom version features three endings where Karnov is rewarded by {{God}} for defeating the BigBad, based on how many continues you used to beat the game. When the game was brought outside Japan however, the entire cutscene (including the prologue before the game starts) was dropped, and it just shows a simple [[AWinnerIsYou "The End"]]. That being said, the overseas version gives you unlimited continues, whereas the Japanese one declares a Game Over if you died too much.

* BaldOfAwesome: The main man himself! He possesses immense strength, deadly fire breath, and a boatload of powerful items in his quest for gold (or redemption).

The game didn't exactly set the arcade on fire at the time, but regardless it had favorable reception, and got many ports for a number of systems, ranging from the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] to various European computers. Karnov himself also became a mascot of some sort. Not only was he featured in numerous Data East arcade games but he took role as a FinalBoss in the ''VideoGame/FightersHistory'' series.

* DifficultyByRegion: The intternational arcade release tends to be more difficult, since it's packed with more monsters within the stages, and even adds some exclusive monsters that punish stalling players.

** Averted in the Famicom version, where Karnov is forced (as punishment for breaking a holy statue) by God to defeat the monster army of Arakatai.

* NominalHero: Karnov's main motive in the arcade version is treasure, monsters and everyone else be damned.
** Averted in the Famicom port, where Karnov is fighting for good on behalf of God to save the land from evil monsters.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: [[https://www.giantbomb.com/images/1300-1057640/ The Japanese cover]] has Karnov in a cartoon-y style, while the North America one (featured above) depicts him in a more Creator/BorisVallejo-esque realistic style.

* HuskyRusskie: None other than Karnov.

* NominalHero: The only reason Karnov is saving the world in the Famicom version is because he was forced to be a servant of God. Also counts for the arcade version where Karnov's main goal is the fabled Treasure of Babylon.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: [[https://www.giantbomb.com/images/1300-1057640/ The Japanese cover]] has Karnov in a cartoon-y stylr, while the North America one (featured above) depicts him in a more Creator/BorisVallejo-esque realistic style.

The game didn't exactly set the arcade on fire at the time, but regardless it had favorable reception, and got many ports for a number of systems, ranging from [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] to various European computers. Karnov himself also became a mascot of some sort. Not only was he featured in numerous Data East arcade games but he took role as a FinalBoss in ''VideoGame/FightersHistory'' series.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: [[https://www.giantbomb.com/images/1300-1057640/ The Japanese cover]] has Karnov in cartoon-y tone, while the North America one (featured above) depicts him in more Creator/BorisVallejo-esque realistic theme.
* BreathWeapon: Karnov can spout out {{Fireballs}} against the enemies. They can be upgraded to aim wider range.

* DifficultyByRegion: In arcade release, the international version tends to be more difficult, since it's more packed with monsters within the stages, and even adds some exclusive monsters that punish stalling players.
* ExcusePlot: The arcade version has Karnov looking for pieces of map that locates the location of treasure.

* ItemCaddy: Karnov being this is core gameplay of the game. You can summon assorted items at any time to help your quest.
* MultipleEndings: The Famicom version features three endings where Karnov is rewarded by {{God}} for defeating the BigBad, based on how many continues you used to beat the game. When the game was brought outside Japan, however, the entire cutscene (including the prologue before the game starts) was dropped, and it just shows simple [[AWinnerIsYou "The End"]]. That being said, the overseas version gives you unlimited continues, whereas the Japanese one declares Game Over if you died too much.

* OneHitPointWonder: Karnov dies in one hit on any occasion in the arcade version. NES version has more generous HP system, where Karnov can stand one more hit, which would turn him blue and can be restored to his normal form by collecting a fireball upgrade.

* StoutStrength: Is Karnov a bit chunky? Yes? Is he strong? Most definitely.

* StoutStrength: Is Karnov fat? Yes? Is he strong? Most definitely.

* DifficultyByRegion: In arcade release, the international version tends to be more difficult, since it's more packed with monsters withing the stages, and even adds some exclusive monsters that punish stalling players.

* MultipleEndings: Famicom version features three endings where Karnov is rewarded by {{God}} for defeating the BigBad, based on how many continues you used to beat the game. When the game was brought outside Japan, however, the entire cutscene (including the prologue before the game starts) was dropped, and it just shows simple [[AWinnerIsYou "The End"]]. That being said, the overseas version gives you unlimited continues, whereas the Japanese one declares Game Over if you died too much.
* OneHitPointWonder: Karnov dies in one hit on any occasion in the arcade version. NES version has more generous HP system, where Karnov can stand one more hit, which would turn him blue and can be restored to his normal form by collecting fireball upgrade.

* HuskyRusskie: No other than Karnov.

* OneHitPointWonder: Karnov dies in one hit on any occasion in the arcade version. NES version has more generous HP system, where Karnov can stand one more hit, which would turn him blue and can be restored to his normal form by collecting fireball upgrade.

* {{Fireballs}}: Karnov's main weapon is to shoot these things against the enemies. They can be upgraded to aim wider range.
* HuskyRusskie: No other than Karnov.

The game didn't exactly gain huge popularity at the time, but regardless it received many ports for a number of systems, ranging from [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] to various European computers. Karnov himself also became a mascot of some sort. Not only was he featured in numerous Data East arcade games but he took role as a FinalBoss in ''VideoGame/FightersHistory'' series.

* MultipleEndings: Famicom version features three endings where Karnov is rewarded by {{God}} for defeating the BigBad, based on how many continues you used to beat the game. When the game was brought outside Japan, however, the entire cutscene (including the prologue before the game starts) was dropped, and it just shows simple [[AWinnerIsYou "The End"]]. That being said, the overseas version gives you unlimited continues, whereas the Japanese one declares Game Over if you died too much.