The Making of Karateka Deluxe Edition (Switch, PS5)

Before fighting games had online matchmaking and frame data spreadsheets, there was a guy in a white gi running toward a castle. The Making of Karateka Deluxe Edition for Nintendo Switch digs into the creation of one of gaming's earliest cinematic experiences, and it does it with the kind of reverence we collectors live for.

The "Apple II"-style deluxe edition box alone is worth the shelf space. It's a time capsule wrapped in nostalgia, the kind of packaging that makes you feel like you just pulled something off a Software Etc. rack in 1984. Inside, Jordan's Journal delivers an all-new illustrated version of the development story behind Karateka, giving us the kind of behind-the-scenes material that most studios would've lost to a dumpster decades ago.

The original soundtrack CD preserves the audio that accompanied one of gaming's first attempts at cinematic storytelling. The Karateka character enamel pin and 18" x 24" poster add display-worthy pieces to a collection that celebrates gaming history at its most foundational. This is interactive documentary meets collector's package, and it handles both roles with care. If you've ever wondered how one person in a dorm room helped shape the future of game design, this edition tells that story beautifully.