Prince of Persia creator's high-kicking classic Karateka heading to iOS

Classic martial arts brawler Karateka is due to high kick its way onto iOS devices in the not-too-distant future.

Created by Prince of Persia mastermind Jordan Mechner, the original Karateka was coded on an Apple II in a university dorm room.

Though its beginnings may have been inauspicious, the game went on to become a #1 bestseller in the US, partly due to its (at the time) unique blend of cinematic cutscenes and rotoscoped visuals.

Judging by the screenshots (above), Karateka's visuals and character design have received a serious overhaul to bring it in line with its 21st-century peers.

Interestingly, it's being described as a "rhythm-based story fighter". We don't know whether that description reflects the rhythmic nature of the martial arts combat, or means combatants will have to punch and kick to the beat of Carl Douglas's 'Kung Fu Fighting'.

What we do know is that the Xbox Live Arcade version of Karateka will be released tomorrow, and that an iOS iteration will follow (hopefully) not too far behind. We'll keep you posted.