The Karate Kid is a side-scrolling action fighting game for the NES, based on Parts I and II of the movie The Karate Kid, developed by Atlus and published by LJN Toys in November 1987.
Tropes:
- Improvised Weapon: Besides rocks, Chozen's goons will also throw cabbages, Bonsai plants, and paper lamps at you.
- Knock Back: A significant contributor to the game's difficulty. Caused by connecting with a punch/kick and by running into an enemy.
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Nintendo Hard: The very reason for the game's notorious reputation. Though the first level can be beaten easily by kicking every opponent without taking damage. - Phallic Weapon: A special enemy that only appears in the last stage attacks you by holding a spear at crotch level. He even pushes and pulls the spear quickly back and forth to complete the illusion of "jerking off".
- Respawning Enemies: Chozen's goons will always respawn after a few seconds or when they're scrolled off the screen. Only two enemies can be on-screen as any more than that would've made the game almost impossible.
- Super Drowning Skills: Everyone dies instantly when they end up in the water. Made worse by dramatic knockback.
- Too Dumb to Live: Chozen's goons will jump and walk into the water just to try and get to you.
- When All Else Fails, Go Right: You only go right in this game to get to the next stage, never left.
- A Winner Is You: All you get after completing this game is a screen where Mr. Miyagi tells you that you've become a martial arts master and gives you a wink.
- Zero-Effort Boss: The boss of Stage 3 is a little girl stuck on the bell tower. Rescue her to complete the level. If you don't rescue the little girl immediately, Chozen and his goons will show up and constantly attack you until you do the good deed.
