NES M.U.L.E. - How Different is the Gameplay?

[Great Hierophant]

Anyone who has ever played a home computer version of MULE will be instantly made aware of the obvious gameplay difference in the NES version. While computer MULE has a top down perspective in the town, NES MULE adopts a side-scrolling method. For people used to computer MULE, this can throw them off their game. It takes longer to do stuff in town in NES MULE. I do not know if the time was extended to compensate for the extra time spent walking.

However, other than this, is there anything else to be aware of?

 

[SoulBlazer]

Until the Planet MULE version became stable a couple years ago, the NES port was my 'go to' one to play....especily when it became possible to play with it online with friends with a emulator. The side scrolling thing in the town wasn't that bad....I got used to it quickly after a while. Beyond that, I didn't notice any difference between it and the original computer versions.

 

Oh, love your avatar -- System Shock 1 and 2 are some of my fav games.

[CapitanClassic]

One major difference is that the NES version is much easier due to the Mountain Wumpus being much easier to catch. In the Atari 800 version, after catching a Wumpus, a new Wumpus doesn't respawn for several seconds. I can only remember catching the Wumpus more than once per round in a handful of games on the Atari.

 

On the NES on the other hand, I can catch the Wumpus 5-10 times regularly. Since the Wumpus is worth about twice much as going to the Pub to gamble, I unusual don't even waste any time going back to the Pub. Food becomes very important, since missing food can cost you several Wumpus catches.

[Rybags]

I can't recall the Wampus ever appearing more than once a round on the Atari version... unless it has multiple spawns if you're a beginner character or on the lower game level or something.

Edited August 31, 2014 by Rybags

[Video]

Man, I love mule. I had the C=64 version, but due to age and the ammount of space it takes up, I actually play the NES version when I'm in the mood.

 

Other than the town, the one thing I really miss, is the infinite mode the 64 version had, where the nes's longest play is one year. Get four human players and THAT was a long game and a lot of fun.