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Karnov is a 1987 arcade and NES game from Data East. It introduced the popular character of Karnov, who went on to become Data East's unofficial "mascot". The Famicom version of the game was published by Namco.

Karnov is a traditional platformer in which you play as the titular Russian strongman. The game features 9 levels in which Karnov must fight his way through various enemies and collect treasures. The final boss of the game is often known as "The Wizard". Karnov's main attack in the game is a fireball he apparently shoots out of his mouth.

In the Famicom and NES versions of the game, the story is "enhanced", explaining that the kingdom of peace, "Kriamina" (Creamina?) has been invaded by the devil Arakatai's army. Arakatai appears to be a large dragon, replacing the arcade version's Wizard as the final boss. Karnov is sent by God to restore peace to Kriamina and defeat Arakatai. The game features a wide variety of very strange enemies, including but not limited to skeletons riding ostriches, golden statues which break apart and reform, and what appear to be professional wrestlers. Each stage ends with a boss; these include a fishman who reaches in to a sack for objects to drop on Karnov, a centipede woman, and of course a man walking a lion.


Power-ups
◾Jump Boots - Faster run and higher jump.
◾Bomb - Kills enemies and reveals secret passages.
◾Ladder - Used to find secret areas.
◾Boomerang - Kills enemies.
◾Super Fireball - Kills all enemies in one hit.
◾Wings - Gives Karnov the power of flight.
◾Scuba Helmet - Faster swimming.
◾Mask - Reveals hidden items.
◾Shield - replacing the trolley in the NES and Famicom versions, the shield blocks enemy bullets.

◾Trolley - Kills enemies.
◾Red Orb - Triples number of fireballs.
◾Letter K - If the player collects 50 K's, they recieve an extra life.


Appearances in other games

Karnov is perhaps more well known as a character who was reused in many Data East games as an enemy sprite. He is considered to be an unnoficial mascot of Data East.

◾ Garyu Retsuden - Normal enemy.
◾Bad Dudes - Appears as a boss thrice in the course of the game, sporting some sweet arm guards.
◾ Big Karnak - Boss character.
◾ Tumblepop - Enemy.
◾ Street Slam - Appears in background.
◾Trio the Punch: Never Forget Me - Makes frequent appearances as enemies/statues/etc.

◾Karnov is also the boss of the Fighter's History series of fighting games.