I’m a huge fan of gaming history (to the point where I write books on the subject), especially when it comes to classic games. I love researching and soaking up gaming history information like a sponge. When I heard that Digital Eclipse had released The Making of Karateka, an interactive documentary for Jordan Mechner’s groundbreaking Karateka, I knew that I needed to review it.

Play the history. Go behind the scenes of Jordan Mechner’s landmark game Karateka in this interactive documentary from Digital Eclipse, with archival materials, video features, and more. Experience pixel-perfect versions of this legendary game, with all-new features.

So then, what is an interactive documentary? In this instance, you get a highly detailed timeline of events from Jordan Mechner’s Karateka from its original concept, right up to the game’s release. You take every step as Mechner did, as and when he created Karateka. The documentary is completely controlled by you and you choose what you watch/look at. There are videos and interviews, original concept drawings, journal entries to read and letters from teenage Jordan Mechner to publisher, Brøderbund Software and much, much more. There’s even a fan letter from some 17-year-old unknown programmer called John Romero… I don’t think he ever went on to do anything, did he?

The documentary here is highly detailed and stuffed with a plethora of goodies that any gaming historian would salivate over. Any and everything is about the game’s development covered. Original concept drawings, videos of how Jordan Mechner did all the rotoscoping for the animations and really intriguing chats between Mechner and his father, who provided the soundtrack. Insight from industry insiders such as Tom Hall (id Software), John Tobias  (Mortal Kombat) and even Gary Whitta, an ex-gaming journalist who is now a Hollywood film writer.

As I said, you control the documentary and can choose what to watch/look at at any time. But, it’s not all just reading letters, looking at concept art or watching videos… there are games to play too. The very first game that Jordan Mechner ever worked on called Deathbounce is here. Now, Deathbounce was never published…until now. Not only can you play the game, you get an in-depth look at how it came about. What started out as a blatant Asteroids rip-off, eventually became its own thing. You can play various versions of Deathbounce too, from a very basic prototype to a much more ‘finalised’ version (though never released). There’s even a brand new remake from Digital Eclipse and it’s really bloody great too.

Then, the star of the show, Karateka, gets the same treatment. You get to play pre-release prototypes and even the finished product and the original version released on the Apple II. On top of that, there are various ports of Karateka to play. The Commodore 64 port is here, so is the Atari 8-bit one and all are fully playable. There are a load of options to tinker with and make the game more accessible. You can play just as the games were back in the ’80s and even have CTR scanlines, etc. Or you can play with a more ‘modern’ angle and do away with the ’80s look and feel. Just as with the previously mentioned Deathbounce, Digital Eclipse has included a brand new remake of Karateka with improved visuals and such and yes, it plays really damn well Plus, if you don’t feel like paying Karateka, you can watch a playthrough instead, there’s even an option to watch with developer commentary to learn even more about the game.

Finally, you get a really great look at the never finished Karateka II. There are details on its early development, various concept art and other details on what the game would’ve been like. However, Karateka II did kind of exist as it evolved into Prince of Persia. Which this documentary ends by heavily hinting that it may get the same glorious interactive documentary treatment in the future… I assume if Ubisoft allow it? I hope so as that would be fucking amazing.

Technically, this already existed when Jordan Mechner released the book The Making of Karateka: Journals 1982-1985 in 2012 (still available to buy on Amazon) but having this newer digital and interactive version is an utter delight. The Making of Karateka is available now and priced at around £17 for Steam, Switch, PlayStation on Xbox. For me, as a gaming history enthusiast, I absolutely adored my time with The Making of Karateka and I think that it is well worth the asking price. I know that others may not get the same kick from this as I did. But, if like me, you enjoy gaming history, then this is an absolute must-buy as there is so much here to get lost in and to soak up.

If I were to nitpick for a second, there are a few things Karateka missing from this awesome package. Not every port of the game is playable. For instance, the 16-bit versions are strangely absent. The Atari ST version is mentioned but not playable. There are other ports that are also absent, the Amstrad CPC 464, NES and the ZX Spectrum versions are not here. The rather interesting Master Karateka from the Game Boy, with its light RPG elements, is not even mentioned at all. Then, the remake from 2012 is very briefly mentioned, but not playable. I understand that licensing may have been a bit of an issue, but it is still a shame, that there is some Karateka goodness missing.

Minor nitpicks aside, The Making of Karateka is wonderful. I’ve gone through the documentary (you get a little % meter telling you how much you’ve seen) twice now and I can see myself going through it again in the future. The fact that you can play the original game and some of the ports is great. Karateka was one of the games that changed the landscape of gaming and to see it celebrated here in this wonderful package is a delight. Highly recommended. This is the first in the Gold Master Series, more please Digital Eclipse, I’d love to see more games get this kind of interactive documentary treatment.