Despite the bizarre decision to name this game “Chop ‘n Drop” in the US, International Karate Plus continues System 3’s venerable ‘IK’ tradition of having well-animated and large characters going at each other with the intention to score points with well-placed single strikes. To up the stakes, IK+ makes it a free-for-all between three characters, allowing the two that scores the most points to continue.
To sweeten the deal, as if the staggering visuals and Rob Hubbard’s excellent funky remix of his original IK theme wasn’t enough, the game has a ton of Easter eggs; like letting you change the background colors or the way the sun ripples in the water; initiating cute visual touches like a spider rappelling down the screen, or literally even some pants-dropping. The best part is; the game still plays like a dream.
Granted, it’s not a three player free for all (the blue fighter is computer controlled) but now you can do back flips, and taking out both your opponents with a well-timed split kick is immensely satisfying.
