Released for the NES in 1988 by Data East, Karnov is a classic action-platformer starring the fire-breathing, treasure-hunting strongman Jinborov Karnovski. As Data East’s iconic unofficial mascot, Karnov must battle his way through nine stages of mythological monsters to recover the lost Treasure of Babylon.
How to Play
Your objective is to navigate each stage, defeat enemies, and collect various power-ups and items to help you progress. Unlike many platformers of its era, Karnov features an inventory system where you can store and use collected items like ladders for hard-to-reach areas, bombs to destroy blocks, and wings for flight.
Default NES controls apply: use the D-pad (Arrow keys) to move, the A button (Z) to jump, and the B button (X) to shoot fireballs. Use the Select button (Shift) to cycle through your collected items, and press Start (Enter) to use the selected item.
Tips
- Save your ladders and wings: Don’t waste your traversal items early on. They are essential for bypassing difficult platforming sections later in the game.
- Collect the red orbs: Gathering enough red orbs will upgrade Karnov’s fireball attack, allowing him to shoot up to three fireballs at once, which is crucial for taking down tough bosses quickly.
- Bombs reveal secrets: Use your bombs to destroy specific walls and floors, which often hide extra items, extra lives, or shortcuts.
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