M.U.L.E.

[SoulBlazer]

Back when I got a C-128D as a kid in 1987, my parents got a few games to go with it. One of them -- a great game back then when I was 11 and still now as a adult -- was the classic game M.U.L.E. from EA.

 

At first glance there doens't seem to be much to it -- a simple colony economic game. But give it a little time and you have a detailed and fun market system, awsome gameplay, no two games are the same, and three difficuly levels and nine characters to pick from.

 

There's even some extra stuff and little nasty tricks that you can do, such as hunting the Wampus for extra money, hoarding all the food and energy that your foes need, and buying MULE's and releasing them on purpose.

 

The AI puts up a good fight -- even today I still lose now and then to them on the highest difficulty -- but playing it aganist other humans is a BLAST and where this game really shines. One of the best multiplayer games.

 

I mostly play the NES version these days. I know some people may not like it compared to the computer ports, but I think the controls are a bit easier to handle, I prefer the side view town look, and it's the easiest one to play online aganist others.

 

What other versions exist of this game? I know of the C64, Atari, and NES but not sure of any others (and I don't mean clones). There was going to be a updated version for the Genesis but it got canceled.

 

I thought I saw something in one of the threads about a 7800 port? Is that a homebrew version? Is the ROM out there to enjoy or cart only?

 

Anyone else really love this game?

[Parrothead]

Back when I got a C-128D as a kid in 1987, my parents got a few games to go with it. One of them -- a great game back then when I was 11 and still now as a adult -- was the classic game M.U.L.E. from EA.

 

At first glance there doens't seem to be much to it -- a simple colony economic game. But give it a little time and you have a detailed and fun market system, awsome gameplay, no two games are the same, and three difficuly levels and nine characters to pick from.

 

There's even some extra stuff and little nasty tricks that you can do, such as hunting the Wampus for extra money, hoarding all the food and energy that your foes need, and buying MULE's and releasing them on purpose.

 

The AI puts up a good fight -- even today I still lose now and then to them on the highest difficulty -- but playing it aganist other humans is a BLAST and where this game really shines. One of the best multiplayer games.

 

I mostly play the NES version these days. I know some people may not like it compared to the computer ports, but I think the controls are a bit easier to handle, I prefer the side view town look, and it's the easiest one to play online aganist others.

 

What other versions exist of this game? I know of the C64, Atari, and NES but not sure of any others (and I don't mean clones). There was going to be a updated version for the Genesis but it got canceled.

 

I thought I saw something in one of the threads about a 7800 port? Is that a homebrew version? Is the ROM out there to enjoy or cart only?

 

Anyone else really love this game?

 

Some of my fondest memories are of playing MULE with my friend on his C64. Absolutely one of my favorite games of all time and I like playing the NES version too I have factory sealed NES Mule as well. And complete 64 copies in the EA Portfolio box.

 

Long live MULE!

Edited October 26, 2009 by Parrothead

[+cvga]

I haven't seen a 7800 version of M.U.L.E. but there's a 5200 M.U.L.E. cart.

[Reaperman]

I used to play the a8 version all the time as a kid, but now I mostly play the nes version.

I love that feeling when the shortages hit and I have what everybody needs to survive.

 

a while ago I think I heard mention of some a8 mule sequel/hacks. could somebody provide a rundown of those?

 

edit: upon searching I guess I was thinking of

play mule after 12th month, and mule wars

I'll have to check those two out.

Edited October 26, 2009 by Reaperman

[Video]

There's a 5200 port of M.U.L.E. but as it's just an 800 port it's understandable. Beyond Atari, C64/128 and NES, I can't think of another system. I have and play the NES one all the time. I've got the C64 one, and one of the moded 64 games with no end (literally, you play till one person owns everything)

 

Always wanted one for the Gameboy, and it would have been a good use for the Teamtap.

 

Great game, love it, and never really understood it's relative obscurity, I mean it's a great game, but it's one of those titles that the owner seems to have gone out of their way not to reinvent, or at least put on a compo cart/disc of some kind.

[user42]

A while back (has it really been over 10 years....) I used to rent a room in a big house. My housemates and I would stay up all night drinking...ect, and playing Mule on a C64 emulator. So much time was wasted on that game....those where some great times.

[pinball22]

M.U.L.E. was one of the first games I bought when I got a C64 in 1985... my friends and I spent many many hours playing it. I still play the NES version sometimes. One of the coolest aspects is that it's fun to play both competitively (no, you can't have any mules, I've got all the smithore and I'm going to win) and cooperatively (let's see how high we can get the total colony score).

[Joe C.]

Back when I got a C-128D as a kid in 1987, my parents got a few games to go with it. One of them -- a great game back then when I was 11 and still now as a adult -- was the classic game M.U.L.E. from EA.

 

At first glance there doens't seem to be much to it -- a simple colony economic game. But give it a little time and you have a detailed and fun market system, awsome gameplay, no two games are the same, and three difficuly levels and nine characters to pick from.

 

There's even some extra stuff and little nasty tricks that you can do, such as hunting the Wampus for extra money, hoarding all the food and energy that your foes need, and buying MULE's and releasing them on purpose.

 

The AI puts up a good fight -- even today I still lose now and then to them on the highest difficulty -- but playing it aganist other humans is a BLAST and where this game really shines. One of the best multiplayer games.

 

I mostly play the NES version these days. I know some people may not like it compared to the computer ports, but I think the controls are a bit easier to handle, I prefer the side view town look, and it's the easiest one to play online aganist others.

 

What other versions exist of this game? I know of the C64, Atari, and NES but not sure of any others (and I don't mean clones). There was going to be a updated version for the Genesis but it got canceled.

 

I thought I saw something in one of the threads about a 7800 port? Is that a homebrew version? Is the ROM out there to enjoy or cart only?

 

Anyone else really love this game?

Was searching around for some M.U.L.E. and found this thread. Bumping it, but don't expect any more comments haha. One of my favorites of all time

[cimerians]

I had MULE on the C64 in the mid 80's, great game, definitely a classic!

[SoulBlazer]

Wow, Joe, thanks! Yeah, nowadays I tend to play the free version of the game on Planet Mule with my friends. Still playing quite a lot.

[SumerNivek]

I had no idea there was a free version!

[SoulBlazer]

Not only is there a great and free version at: http://www.planetmule.com/

 

There's also a remake in the works at: http://www.planetmule2.com/

[Joe C.]

Not only is there a great and free version at: http://www.planetmule.com/

 

There's also a remake in the works at: http://www.planetmule2.com/

I thought many times about getting involved with planetmule but never did. I think it's really cool that you are a part of it and enjoy it. Maybe I'll join sometime and participate.

[high voltage]

M.U.L.E. an Atari 8-bit original and best played on Atari.

Edited August 24, 2015 by high voltage

[Joe C.]

M.U.L.E. an Atari 8-bit original and best played on Atari.

No doubt about it.

[carlsson]

There is also M.U.L.E. Returns on iOS and advertised for Android, although that would be non-free.

 

Most impressive perhaps is the upcoming M.U.L.E. boardgame for 3-4 players which will be released in September and carries offiicial licensive from Ozark Softscape. It was presented last week.

[awhite2600]

According to Wikipedia the game was also available for the PCjr, PC-8810, Sharp X1 and MSX 2.

 

I can vouch for the iOS version being a very good port / remake. It's not free ... I think I paid $4.99. Well worth it.

[carlsson]

I believe IBM PC and PCjr is the same version. The other, Japanese ports I am not sure if they were officially endorsed or just were made anyway. I have been meaning to try out the MSX2 version but haven't got to that yet.

[Joe C.]

*bump*

 

because this section needs less arguing and more M.U.L.E. convo....

[carlsson]

Sure! If you head over to the Atari 8-bit HSC section, there is an ongoing M.U.L.E. competition since 2013. Most of us play the Atari 8-bit version, though I've posted scores from the C64 version a few times. I can't recall if anyone posted a NES score yet, or if those even are comparable with the Atari/C64 scores. The IBM PC/PCjr version can be run for up to 24 months which obviously would affect the total score though I believe it is possible to limit to 12 months. Unfortunately I've still not tried the MSX2 version, or for that matter the NEC or Sharp versions whether those were official or not.

[digdugnate]

remembering M.U.L.E reminded me that Ozark Softscape put out 'Seven Cities of Gold' and 'Heart of Africa' for the C64- I played those a lot as a kid.

[carlsson]

Also Robot Rascals, a game I like the tune (parts of it flirts with M.U.L.E.) but never tried to understand the gameplay.

[Newsdee]

An interesting lookback at the designer of these games:

http://www.gamedesignersremembered.com/danielle-bunten-berry/dani-bunten-berry

[digdugnate]

that was a really cool article. thanks!

[Eltigro]

Never played M.U.L.E. Usually when I get the hankering for playing a game that starts with M.U. it ends with S.H.A.

 

It's sounding like a strategy/resource management type game which I could never really get into that much. I will say this, though, the title screen music for the C64 version is pretty awesome, but then the C64 had a lot of great music.