Karateka similar games & best alternatives

Karateka - Trailer
Karateka - karateka_1.avif
Karateka - karateka_2.avif
Karateka - karateka_3.avif
Karateka - karateka_4.avif
Karateka - karateka_5.avif
Karateka - karateka_6.avif

Karateka

PlayStation 3, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Xbox 360 • 2012

Should you play it?

From PRINCE OF PERSIA creator Jordan Mechner, the original side-scrolling karate classic comes to Steam with art by Jeff Matsuda (The Batman) and music by Grammy-winning composer Christopher Tin (CIVILIZATION IV).

What works

  • Nostalgic remake of classic
  • Challenging rhythmic combat
  • Immersive feudal japan atmosphere
  • Multiple characters and endings
  • Good value on sale

Things to keep in mind

  • Very short gameplay
  • Repetitive and linear
  • Some control and technical issues
  • Limited depth and variety
  • No multiplayer or social features

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • El Matador

  • SMASHING THE BATTLE

  • Corridor Z

  • The Initial

  • Big Action Mega Fight!

  • Rogue Reaper

More exploratory

Games that feels like Karateka but with more exploration of areas and secrets

  • Possessor(s)

  • Venetica - Gold Edition

  • STRIDER™ / ストライダー飛竜®

  • The Coma: Recut

  • The spy who shot me™

  • Prince of Persia: Warrior Within™

More creative

Games that feels like Karateka but with more room to create and customize

  • Shuyan Saga™

  • Captain Wayne - Vacation Desperation

  • TheDawn

  • Advent Rising

  • Anomaly Agent

  • Spirit X Strike

More expressive

Games that feels like Karateka but with more self-expression and customization

  • AKIBA'S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed

  • Sifu

  • Thunder Ray

  • BloodRayne 2: Terminal Cut

  • Mitsurugi Kamui Hikae

  • The Bleakest Keep

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Karateka: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Exploration, Creativity, Story, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Survival, Violence.

Last update: 03/08/2026