[{"TitleName":"International Karate","Publisher":"System 3 Software Ltd","Author":"","YearOfRelease":"1985","ZxDbId":"0002502","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 24, Jan 1986","Price":"£1.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-12-12","Editor":"Graeme Kidd","TotalPages":196,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Publishing Executive: Roger Kean\r\nEditor: Graeme Kidd\r\nTechnical Editor: Franco Frey\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nProduction Assistants: Gordon Druce, Matthew Uffindell\r\nSoftware Editor: Jeremy Spencer\r\nAdventure Editor: Derek Brewster\r\nSub Editor: Sean Masterson\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Chris Passey, Robin Candy, Ben Stone, John Minson, Mark Hamer, Gary Liddon, Julian Rignall, Gary Penn\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\n©1985 Newsfield Limited.\r\nCrash Magazine is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions [redacted]\r\nEditorial/studio [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\n\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]; Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset Ltd (Member of the BPCC Group), [redacted].\r\nDistribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £14.50 post included (UK Mainland); Europe: 12 issues £21.50 post included. Outside Europe by arrangement in writing.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return any written material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material which may be used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. The opinions and views of correspondents are their own and not necessarily in accord with those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nMICRONET:\r\nYou can talk to CRASH via Micronet. Our MBX is 105845851\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: System 3\r\nRetail Price: £6.50\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\nAuthor: The System 3 Team\r\n\r\nThe flavour of the moment seems to have a definite bias towards the oriental. System 3's long awaited, and somewhat overdue Karate simulation finally joins the ranks of combat games, which are all the rage on the Spectrum just now.\r\n\r\nInternational Karate is another beat em up fought against backdrops depicting famous cities around the world, rather than in an oriental setting. The game scenario itself is very simple - it's a battle between two Karate masters played over three rounds; the first to win two rounds wins that bout. The idea is to outscore your opponent in each round within the 30 second time limit. If you win, bonus points are awarded according to how much time remains on the clock at the moment of victory.\r\n\r\nThe game allows you to play either one or two players. If you're playing single player then the computer takes control of the opposition. As in such fighting games, there are a multitude of movements available - a total of sixteen punches and kicks - with which to terrify and generally damage your opponent. Moves are made using different combinations of key presses, using a total of nine keys for each player.\r\n\r\nThe competition is overseen by a judge, who monitors the skills of the combatants and starts each fight by shouting 'begin' in very clear speech - and in case you don't quite catch the command, the words are also printed on the screen in a speech bubble above the judge's head. The battle then ensues and the players have to try to knock down their opponent. The judge bursts into speech again when one of the players achieves a 'knockout', announcing his decision as to whether a full or half point has been awarded. The first player to reach two points wins the round - and if neither combatant clocks up two points, the winner is the fighter with the most points. The player who's the first to win two out of the three bouts is then allowed to tackle a bonus screen.\r\n\r\nThe first bonus screen is a woodblock-kicking exercise where you have to try to break as many pieces of wood as possible, with points awarded according to the amount of firewood you create. The second bonus screen, tackled by the winner of the second round is a sort of dodge 'em/ punch 'em screen. A variety of objects is thrown from either side of the screen and you have to destroy them by punching or kicking them into oblivion. Again, bonus points are collected according to the amount of damage you wreak.\r\n\r\nWhen the bonus screen stage is completed, the winner is transported to another part of the world where the battle resumes and you can find yourself scrapping away in Rio, New York, London and Sydney.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: Player 1 W to jump, E lunge punch, D walk forward, C chest kick, X foot sweep, Z crouch punch, A walk backwards, Q back lunge punch, W and S flying kick, E and S front somersault, D and S front kick, C and S front side kick, X and S back crouch punch, A and S back side kick, A and S roundhouse, Q and S back somersault. Similar arrangement for player two. 7 to quit game\r\nJoystick: Ram Turbo\r\nKeyboard play: could have been a lot better\r\nUse of colour: reasonable\r\nGraphics: nice backdrops, shame about the rather crude characters\r\nSound: excellent speech, and some good effects\r\nSkill levels: gets harder!","ReviewerComments":["The blurb on the cassette cover says 'and you thought you d seen a Karate game'. Unfortunately I have - it's called Way of the Exploding fist and it's better than this. The animation on International Karate is a lot cruder than Fist, it takes up less frames than the latter and consequently looks rather flickery when compared directly. There are some glitches as well, like the 'wrap round' when a player gets killed near the edge of a screen - half his body appears on one side and half on the other. The gameplay is a bit awkward too - the multitude of keys makes the game very difficult to get into, but once you've got them sussed it's very easy to beat the computer opponent. IK's redeeming feature is the excellent speech - in my opinion the best I've heard: it's very clear and understandable. When it comes down to the nitty gritty - ie which Karate game is the best, then I must confess that Fist still comes out top. But if you're well into beat em ups, then you might want to add this one to your collection.\r\nUnknown","Yet another fighting simulation. I wasn't much of a fan of this type of game in the first place, and there's now so many of them... I admit that some of them are fun for a while but they do get very boring when all you have to do is beat up your computer. This one is no different from the rest. The graphics are a bit below average for this type of game - I felt the characters were badly drawn and very jerky. Sound is fairly good: there is a nice title tune, spot effects during the game and some very good speech. As for gameplay I can't really say that it's compelling - I found that I didn't need much strategy to beat the computer. Not a bad offering really, considering the price I suppose, but I wasn't really grabbed by the game.\r\nUnknown","Such a long wait - this game has been dogged by disaster and problems, and now arrives very late. Maybe a bit too late - lots of fighting games are already nestling in software collections already. International Karate has got a few nice touches, such as the speech, and the backdrops are quite pretty. Somehow, though, it doesn't come across as a polished game: four or five months ago, however, and it might have had a different reception... One for fighting fans, really, to complete the collection.\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: Disappointing overall, given the wait.","Page":"23,24","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"75%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"71%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"57%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"61%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"67%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"69%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"68%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 2, Feb 1986","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1986-01-16","Editor":"Kevin Cox","TotalPages":98,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Kevin Cox\r\nArt Editor: Martin Dixon\r\nDeputy Editor: Peter Shaw\r\nProduction Editor: Teresa Maughan\r\nEditorial Consultant: Andrew Pennell\r\nSoftware Consultant: Gavin Monk\r\nContributors: Stephen Adams, Luke C, Steve Colwill, Steve Cooke, Iolo Davidson, Ian Hoare, Alison Hjul, Steve Malone, Tommy Nash, Max Phillips, Rick Robson, Tony Samuels, Rachael Smith, Phil South, Chris Wood\r\nAdvertisement Manager: David Baskerville\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Neil Dyson\r\nProduction Manager: Sonia Hunt\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Chris Talbot\r\nManaging Editor: Roger Munford\r\nArt Director: Jimmy Egerton\r\nPublisher: Stephen England\r\n\r\nPublished by Sportscene Specialist Press Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1986 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"System 3\n£6.50\nReviewer: Luke C\n\nWith so many games based on the thrills and spills of the old Kung Fu movies, International Karate is definitely a worthy attempt at being the best.\n\nAnimation's fine, but the backdrops of the various countries you fight in get pretty boring after a while. But then graphics isn't what the games all about. Clobbering your opponent hard and fast's the aim of the game... International Karate has its Bruce Lees positively leaping all over the shop!\n\nThe fighters can choose from sixteen different movements but, as you can imagine, the logistics of carrying out these sophisticated moves - especially in a two-player bout! - is more than a set of weary fingers - or even a jaded joystick - can contemplate.\n\nThe judge of the fight announces - yes, the program speaks... and it's almost understandable too! - the scores, and puts the players back to the starting grid if the fighting gets too silly.\n\nIt's an enjoyable game - but getting the maximum out of your fighting figure is a little difficult. All the same, it's fairly addictive and, if you just restrict yourself to a well- chosen routine of kicks and punches, you can generally get good enough to fight your way through the levels.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"28","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Luke C","Score":"7","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"5/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"7/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 45, Oct 1987","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1987-09-24","Editor":"Barnaby Page","TotalPages":148,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Managing Editor: Barnaby Page\r\nStaff Writers: Richard Eddy, Lloyd Mangram, Ian Phillipson, Ben Stone\r\nPhotographers: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson\r\nTechnical Writers: Simon N Goodwin, Jon Bates\r\nAdventure Column: Derek Brewster\r\nPBM Column: Brendon Kavanagh\r\nStrategy Column: Philippa Irving\r\nEducation Column: Rosetta McLeod\r\nLondon Correspondent: John Minson\r\nContributors: Robin Candy, Mike Dunn, Paul Evans, Dominic Handy, Nick Roberts, Mark Rothwell, Paul Sumner\r\nEditorial Director: Roger Kean\r\nProduction Controller: David Western\r\nArt Director: Gordon Druce\r\nIllustrator: Oliver Frey\r\nDesign: Tony Lorton, Markie Kendrick, Wayne Allen\r\nProcess and Planning: Matthew Uffindell, Jonathan Rignall, Nick Orchard\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Roger Bennett\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Andrew Smales\r\nSubscriptions: Denise Roberts\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\nEditorial and Production: [redacted]\r\n\r\nMail Order and Subscriptions: [redacted]\r\n\r\nADVERTISING\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nTypesetting by The Tortoise Shell Press, Ludlow\r\n\r\nPrinted in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistributed by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return any written material sent to CRASH unless accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material which may be used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates.\r\n\r\n©1987 Newsfield Limited\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"INTERNATIONAL KARATE\r\nSystem 3\r\n\r\n68% Issue 24\r\n\r\nRICKY: International Karate has just been re-released by Prism at the budget price of £2.99. It's practically the same as The Way Of The Exploding Fist, but much cruder; the only significant visible difference is in the backgrounds, which take you around the world in five screens.\r\n\r\nThere are also bonus screens where you can earn extra points by shattering blocks of wood.\r\n\r\nBut playability is marred by the milliard of keys your fingers have to grapple with. \r\n\r\nThe game's one redeeming feature is the excellent speech as the scores are called out. I wasn't enthralled by International Karate - it's not very addictive or playable.\r\n47%\r\n\r\nROBIN: International Karate took a long time to actually appear after it was first announced, and I wasn't impressed when I did see it. It still seems awkward to play, and the graphics are disappointing.\r\n50%","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"39","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Richard Eddy","Score":"47","ScoreSuffix":"%"},{"Name":"Robin Candy","Score":"50","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"THOSE BEAT-'EM-UPS IN FULL\r\n\r\nThe Way Of The Exploding Fist\r\nFist II\r\nGladiator\r\nYie Ar Kung Fu\r\nYie Ar Kung Fu II\r\nInternational Karate\r\nThe Way Of The Tiger\r\nAmazon Women\r\nKung-Fu Master\r\nNinja\r\nUchi Mata\r\nBarbarian\r\nKick Boxing\r\nNinja Hamster\r\nRenegade\r\nSai Combat"}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall (Robin Candy)","Score":"50%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall (Richard Eddy)","Score":"47%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 53, May 1990","Price":"£1.7","ReleaseDate":"1990-04-12","Editor":"Matt Bielby","TotalPages":92,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Matt Bielby\r\nArt Editor: Kevin Hibbert\r\nProduction Editor: Andy Ide\r\nDesign Assistant: Andy Ounsted\r\nContributors: Robin Alway, Marcus Berkmann, Amanda Cook, Joe Davies, Jonathan Davies, Cathy Fryett, Mike Gerrard, Simon Goggin, Duncan MacDonald, David McCandless, Paul Morgan, Rich Pelley, David Wilson\r\nAdvertising Manager: Mark Salmon\r\nAdvertising Executive: Simon Moss\r\nPublisher: Greg Ingham\r\nAssistant Publisher: Jane Nolan\r\nProduction Manager: Ian Seager\r\nProduction Coordinator: Melissa Parkinson\r\nSubscriptions: Computer Posting [redacted]\r\nMail Order: The Old Barn [redacted]\r\nPrinters: Riverside Press [redacted]\r\nDistributors: SM Distribution [redacted]\r\n\r\nYour Sinclair is published by Future Publishing Ltd [redacted]\r\n\r\n©Future Publishing 1990. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission."},"MainText":"International Karate\r\nSystem 3\r\n\r\nWhile being a shameful copy of Fist in most ways, International Karate managed to introduce a few novel features. The main one was the 'International' bit, which means that the game is played against a series of backdrops representing various parts of the world. Then there was the speech, which is about as successful as always on the Speccy. And finally the bonus screens. Hmm.\r\n\r\nOther than that, International Karate is about as standard a beat-'em-up as you're likely to see. It doesn't quite have the slickness of Fist, and is definitely lacking when it comes to excruciating crunches and things, but it makes a reasonable attempt at animation which is something.\r\n\r\nInternational Karate +, the sequel, startled us all with the introduction of a third character.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"27","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jonathan Davies","Score":"74","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"A TYPICAL NINJA WARRIOR\r\n\r\nFinely-tuned hearing.\r\nHeadband.\r\nSledge-hammer fists.\r\nInscrutable expression.\r\nPyjama bottoms (top optional).\r\nImposing Stance."},{"Text":"EVERY BEAT-'EM-UP EVER RELEASED (Apart from quite a few probably.)\r\n\r\nAvenger - Gremlin Graphics\r\nBarbarian - Palace\r\nBarbarian II - Palace\r\nBig Trouble In Little China - Electric Dreams\r\nBruce Lee - US Gold\r\nDouble Dragon - Melbourne House\r\nDouble Dragon II - Melbourne House\r\nDragon Ninja - Imagine\r\nDynamite Dux - Activision\r\nExploding Fist - Melbourne House\r\nFist II - Melbourne House\r\nGladiator - Domark\r\nHuman Killing Machine - US Gold\r\nInternational Karate - System 3\r\nInternational Karate II - System 3\r\nKai Temple - Mirrorsoft\r\nKendo Warrior - Byte Back\r\nKick Boxing - Firebird\r\nKnight Force - Titus\r\nKnucklebusters - Melbourne House\r\nKung Fu - Bug Byte\r\nKung Fu Knights - Top Ten Software\r\nKung Fu Master - US Gold\r\nHercules - Gremline Graphics\r\nLast Ninja II - System 3\r\nLegend Of Kage - Imagine\r\nLegend Of The Amazon Women - US Gold\r\nNinja - MAD Games\r\nNinja Hamster - CRL\r\nRenegade - Imagine\r\nRenegade III - Imagine\r\nSaboteur - Durell\r\nSaboteur II - Durell\r\nSai Combat - Mirrorsoft\r\nSamurai Trilogy - Gremlin Graphics\r\nSamurai Warrior - Firebird\r\nShao Lins Road - The Edge\r\nShanghai Warriors - Players\r\nShinobi - Virgin\r\nStreet Hassle - Melbourne House\r\nTarget renegade - Imagine\r\nThundercats - Elite\r\nWay Of The Exploding Fist - Melbourne House\r\nWay Of The Tiger - Gremlin Graphics\r\nUchi Mata - Martech\r\nVigilante - US Gold\r\nYie Ar Kung Fu - Imagine"},{"Text":"MOVES THAT CHANGED THE WORLD\r\n\r\nThe Roundhouse\r\nLike so many other great moves, the Roundhouse first came to light in Fist. The classic blend of balletic poetry and jaw-breaking power makes it a manoeuvre for all occasions.\r\n\r\nThe Sweeping Kick\r\nThis is the standard move for success in Kung Fu Master, and demonstrates what can be achieved just by waving your leg around in the direction of the foe.\r\n\r\nThe Pile-On\r\nThis move is unique to the Renegade series, and can cause some alarm when you find your shoulders gripped by one baddie while another lays into you from the front. However, careful placement of elbows and feet can turn the tables in your favour.\r\n\r\nDecapitation\r\nThe satisfying result of a cunningly-timed neck-chop during a game of Barbarian is the removal of the enemy's head, which can be greatly to your advantage."},{"Text":"RATINGS\r\n\r\nAs beat-'em-ups tend to transcend all normal ratings systems, we've adopted a special one for the purpose of this guide. The categories ere as follows...\r\n\r\nInscrutability: How well does it capture that all-important oriental feel? New York ghetto settings aren't really on.\r\n\r\nWince Factor: Do you want to curl up and die every time a knee gets planted in your groin, or is it about as traumatic as a merry jig of morris dancing?\r\n\r\nVersatility: Is it just left, right, up, down and fire, or does every joystick direction do something radically different?\r\n\r\nEastern Promise: What does the future hold? Pride of place in your collection or a dusty grave under the bed?"},{"Text":"SO, YOU WANT TO WRITE A BEAT-'EM-UP?\r\n\r\nIt's not as hard as it looks actually. Here are a few essential ingredients...\r\n\r\nPain, and lots of it. Agonised grimaces should be accompanied by eye-watering squelching noises when appropriate\r\n\r\nMusic, of the tinkly eastern variety. And why use multi-channels and special effects when you could have authentic, oriental beeping.\r\n\r\nPyjamas are the standard attire, along with the obligatory headband.\r\n\r\nArtwork should be of the poorest quality. Anatomical accuracy is not desirable.\r\n\r\nJapanese-sounding names often impress. Make one up if you're not fluent, Uchi Mata being a classic example of improvisation of this sort.\r\n\r\nIt shouldn't look like a beat-'em-up, so put it in a nice big black cardboard box.\r\n\r\nSequels always look good (be original - try a '+' rather than a 'II'), but no-one ever buys them of course.\r\n\r\nAnimation should be avoided where at all possible. Two frames per sequence is the absolute maximum.\r\n\r\nJoystick positions should be assigned at random. If they can guess that up, left and fire delivers a low punch, there's no challenge to it.\r\n\r\nIt should be like all the rest, so don't get any funny ideas about using your imagination."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Inscrutability","Score":"75%","Text":""},{"Header":"Wince Factor","Score":"66%","Text":""},{"Header":"Versatility","Score":"68%","Text":""},{"Header":"Eastern Promise","Score":"79%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"74%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 46, Jan 1986","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-12-18","Editor":"Bill Scolding","TotalPages":148,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\nEditor: Bill Scolding\r\nDeputy Editor: John Gilbert\r\nStaff Writers: Chris Bourne, Clare Edgeley\r\nDesigner: Gareth Jones\r\nEditorial Secretary: Norisah Fenn\r\nPublisher: Neil Wood\r\n\r\nADVERTISING\r\nAdvertising Manager: Louise Fanthorpe\r\nDeputy Advertisement Manager: Shahid Nizam\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executive: Kathy McLennan\r\nProduction Assistant: Jim McClure\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Linda Everest\r\n\r\nMAGAZINE SERVICES\r\nSubscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne\r\n\r\nTELEPHONE\r\nAll departments [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n\r\nCover Illustration: Asterix ©1985 Les Editions Albert Rene Goscinny - Uderzo\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs or articles to:\r\nSinclair User\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nOriginal programs should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included. Please write 'Program Printout' on the envelopes of all cassettes submitted.\r\n\r\nWe pay £20 for each program printed and £50 for star programs.\r\n\r\nTypeset by Saffron Graphics Ltd, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Peterboro' Web, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1985 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458\r\n\r\n102,023 Jan-Jun 1985"},"MainText":"Publisher: System 3 Software\r\nPrice: £6.50\r\nMemory: 48K\r\nJoystick: Kempston, Sinclair\r\n\r\nYes, it's another karate game. International Karate follows the same format as Melbourne House's Way of the Exploding Fist, and was set to be released at about the same time. Here, finally, is the much talked-of rival to the Fist - and it's pretty good.\r\n\r\nThe 16 actions are similar to those in Fist and controlled in the same way - eight with, and eight without, the fire button pressed down. They include somersaults, sweeps, a variety of kicks and punches, the spectacular flying kick, and the full Monte roundhouse routine.\r\n\r\nScoring is according to the standard system as well - 30-second bouts, with two full points determining the winner. Bonus points are scored depending on the speed with which you demolish your opponent.\r\n\r\nThe animation is excellent, and the fighters have a rather more sporting look about them, as opposed to the Melbourne House emphasis on oriental mystery. International Karate is a tournament-based game in which you travel the globe for each stage in the championships. Melbourne House may have the slight edge in animation design, but international Karate has the best backdrops - including a different set on each side of the tape.\r\n\r\nWe found international Karate about as tough to beat as Fist, but then again, we've had you lot writing into complain that Fist was too easy. There is really so little to choose between the two programs that it all boils down to style and presentation. Melbourne House wins the laurels for elegance and simplicity of design, but you can't escape the fact that International Karate costs over £2 less.\r\n\r\nOn that basis, System 3 offers better value for money, and had it been released first we would have given it a Classic award. You may spot differences between the two which we regard as unimportant, but which you feel tip the balance. So try to see both games before you make up your mind - but one of the two ought to be on everybody's shopping list this Christmas.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"21","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Chris Bourne","Score":"5","ScoreSuffix":"/5"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"5/5","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 67, Oct 1987","Price":"£1","ReleaseDate":"1987-09-18","Editor":"David Kelly","TotalPages":116,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: David Kelly\r\nDeputy Editor: Graham Taylor\r\nStaff Writer: Jim Douglas\r\nStaff Writer: Tamara Howard\r\nArt Editor: Gareth Jones\r\nAdventure Help: Gordo Greatbelly\r\nZapchat: Jon Riglar\r\nHelpline: Andrew Hewson\r\nContributors: Richard Price, Andy Moss, Gary Rook\r\nHardware Correspondent: Rupert Goodwins\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Louise Fanthorpe\r\nDeputy Advertisement Manager: Mike Corr\r\nProduction Assistant: Alison Morton\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Linda Everest\r\nSubscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne\r\nPublisher: Terry Pratt\r\n\r\nTelephone [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscription Enquiries [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n\r\nCover Illustration: Jerry Paris\r\n\r\nSinclair User\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrinted by Nene River Press, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1986 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458\r\n\r\nABC 84,699 July-Dec 1986"},"MainText":"Label: Endurance Games\r\nAuthor: System 3\r\nPrice: £2.99\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nJoystick: various\r\nReviewer: Tony Dillon\r\n\r\nEons ago, a man underwent a strange phenomenon. His fist exploded. Many of his tribe called programmers saw this wondrous sight and decided to try it themselves. They were not very good at it. They ended up in pain with cries of \"Yie-ar-kung-fu\" or \"Ninja- Master\". So the exploding fist reigned supreme.\r\n\r\nThen rival tribe celled System 3 decided to cash in on the trend, launched it's own version of Fist, \"International Karate\", and rather inevitably it also failed miserably.\r\n\r\nNow years later International Karate is back. What a shame - it's still no good.\r\n\r\nOn the plus side, like Fist, it has 16 moves including a variety of kicks and punches, and some goodish backdrops. Nice looking game, but a mite too easy to complete for my liking.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Previously boring over-priced rubbish now released as boring rubbish but cheaper. Some improvement.","Page":"29","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Tony Dillon","Score":"4","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"4/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 52, Feb 1986","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1986-01-16","Editor":"Tim Metcalfe","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Tim Metcalfe\r\nDeputy Editor: Paul Boughton\r\nEditorial Assistant: Lesley Walker\r\nSub-Editor: Seamus St. John\r\nDesign: Craig Kennedy\r\nAdventure Writers: Keith Campbell, Paul Coppins, Steve Donoghue, Jim Douglas\r\nAmerican Correspondent: Marshall M. Rosenthal\r\nArcades: Clare Edgeley\r\nSoftware Consultant: Tony Takoushi\r\nPublicity: Marcus Rich\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Louise Matthews\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Mike Core\r\nProduction Assistant: Melanie Paulo\r\nPublisher: Rita Lewis\r\nCover: John Higgins\r\n\r\n...and the Bug Hunters!\r\n© Jerry Paris\r\n\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPUTER + VIDEO GAMES POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE\r\nBy using the special Postal Subscription Service, copies of COMPUTER + VIDEO GAMES can be mailed direct from our offices each month to any address throughout the world. All subscription applications should be sent for processing to COMPUTER + VIDEO GAMES (Subscription Department), [redacted]. All orders should include the appropriate remittance made payable to COMPUTER + VIDEO GAMES. Annual subscription rates (12 issues): UK and Eire: £15. Additional service information, including individual overseas airmail rates available upon request. Circulation Department: EMAP National Publications. Published and distributed by EMAP National Publications Ltd. Printed by Severn Valley Press. Typeset by In-Step Ltd."},"MainText":"MACHINE: Spectrum\r\nSUPPLIER: System 3\r\nPRICE: £6.50\r\n\r\nWell, it's finally here, after much singing and dancing (PCW Show). Will it topple Exploding Fist as karate champ or not. Let's compare the two.\r\n\r\nExploding Fist characters are nicely drawn and excellently animated. However, although not bad, the animation and graphics are not quite up to that standard.\r\n\r\nThe backgrounds on Fist were colourful and ornamental, but on International Karate they are colourful, recognisable and superb.\r\n\r\nThe gameplay on Fist was good with only one life, whereas with International Karate it is the best of three fights on each round and after each round a bonus screen can be attempted which consists of, on the first bonus screen, a wood block smashing attempt with bonus points for each block smashed and, on the second bonus screen, smashing or avoiding flying objects.\r\n\r\nSound on the Fist was limited to spot effects which were good but sparse, International Karate boasts great spot effects, music and excellent clear speech which announces the start, the scores and the results of the contest (a bit like Jimmy Hill).\r\n\r\nAltogether the package is a winner with its international backgrounds and terrific speech. If you already have The Fist this may not be on your list. However, I've got both and play them equally.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"14","Denied":false,"Award":"Blitz Game","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Value","Score":"10/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"9/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]