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Karnov
卡诺夫
Karnov is an action platformer developed by Data East USA in 1987. Players control a strongman character who fights enemies across multiple levels using punches and special attacks powered by collecting flame items. The game features a vertical scrolling perspective with progressively challenging stages set in various themed environments. Gameplay involves defeating waves of enemies, dodging obstacles, and navigating platforms to reach level exits. Players can accumulate power-ups that enhance attack capabilities or provide temporary invincibility. The controls are responsive, allowing for precise jumping and combat timing. Karnov consists of several distinct stages with escalating difficulty, each introducing new enemy types and environmental hazards.
- Developer
- Data East USA
- Released
- 1987
- Platform
- Arcade
- Genre
- Action
- Rating
- 4.3 / 5 (2.6K)
- Last updated
Karnov Controls — Arcade Keyboard Keys
Default keyboard bindings for Karnov on our in-browser Arcade emulator. Plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad to auto-detect mappings, or rebind any key from the emulator settings menu.
| Keyboard | Console button | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ↑ | Joystick Up | Move up |
| ↓ | Joystick Down | Move down |
| ← | Joystick Left | Move left |
| → | Joystick Right | Move right |
| X | Button 1 | Primary action (jump / confirm) |
| Z | Button 2 | Secondary action (attack / cancel) |
| S | Button 3 | Tertiary action |
| A | Button 4 | Quaternary action |
| Q | Button 5 | Fifth button |
| W | Button 6 | Sixth button |
| 5 | Insert Coin | Insert coin |
| 1 | 1P Start | Start / Pause |
Coin and Start are convention "Insert Coin: 5" and "1P Start: 1". Some arcade boards expect specific button mappings — check the in-game prompts on coin-up.
Rebind any key from the EmulatorJS in-game settings menu (gear icon → Controls). A connected gamepad auto-maps to the same buttons.
Karnov Longplay & Gameplay Videos
Watch a full playthrough of Karnov on Arcade before you dive in — recommended for getting a feel for the game's pacing, story beats, and difficulty curve.
Watch longplay on YouTube
"Karnov" Arcade longplay 1987
External references
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Karnov released?
Karnov was released in 1987 for the Arcade.
Who developed Karnov?
Karnov was developed by Data East USA, available to play in your browser on RetroGameSpace.
What type of game is Karnov?
Karnov is a Action game for the Arcade, playable instantly in your browser — no downloads, no installs.
How can I play Karnov for free?
Open this page and click "Play Now" — Karnov runs free in your browser via WebAssembly emulation. No account, no payment, no installer.
Do I need to download anything to play Karnov in the browser?
No. Karnov streams from a public archive into a browser-side Arcade emulator. Nothing is installed on your computer.
Can I save my progress in Karnov?
Yes. Save states are stored in your browser (IndexedDB) per game, and you can also use any in-game save the original Arcade cartridge supported.
Does Karnov work on mobile devices?
Yes — the Arcade emulator runs on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Touch controls overlay the game; landscape mode is recommended.
Is it legal to play Karnov this way?
RetroGameSpace is a transient caching reverse-proxy and does not host first-party copies of Karnov. Game files are fetched on demand from publicly-accessible archives. You are responsible for compliance with your local laws and the bring-your-own-ROM principle.
