death by karateka.

High atop a craggy cliff, guarded by an army of fierce warriors stands the fortress of the evil warlord Akuma. Deep in the darkest dungeon of the castle Akuma gloats over his lovely captive, the princess Mariko.

You are one trained in the way of karate: a Karateka. Alone and unarmed, you must defeat Akuma rescue the beautiful Mariko.

Put fear and self-concern behind you. Focus your will on your objective, accepting death as a possibility. This is the way of the Karateka.

it starts normally enough.

after half an hour of constant button mashing...

%^&%@#$@#$@. dead at the hands of a second-tier karateka.

for what it was worth, karateka does give me some great memories. playing it again was great...especially since i'm able to appreciate it a little bit more. and i do play it better. a little.