The game contains six computer opponents of increasing difficulty, corresponding to their belt color: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black.

[5] Black Belt was programmed by Kevin Ryan for publisher Earthware Computer Services, based in Eugene, Oregon.

The company had previously published the Apple II titles Volcanos, Star Search, and Zoo Master, the last of which was also programmed by Ryan and released in 1983.

[6][7][8][9] Alongside the instructions for Black Belt was a handbook containing a message from Earthware head Donna J. Goles, explaining that the game should serve as an educational supplement to traditional taekwondo training.

[5] The Commodore 64 port replaced the graphical dithering in its Apple II counterpart with more individual colors and added synthesized speech.

"[2] The Book of Apple Software rated Black Belt with an B– (minus), similarly appreciating the graphics and animation and summarizing it as vividly and realistically recreating the sport of taekwondo.

[5] Eric Cabérla of the French magazine Tilt was conversely disappointed in its visuals while also criticizing the quality of the sound effects.