Web Gaming #1: MUGEN

I thought every week I'd find a random webgame and play it so you, the reader, can know which games are good and which games are best to avoid.

This week: Elecbyte's "M.U.G.E.N."

M.U.G.E.N.

The engine allows anyone to create characters, background stages and other game objects through interpreted text files, graphics, and sound compilations. It supports various types of audio formats such as MP3 and MIDI initially, although it can be configured to play various audio formats via Winamp plugins, such as ADX and OGG, as background music during gameplay or at other points such as an introduction or the select screen. The engine allows for most of the same type of functionality found in most any commercial 2D fighting games, up to and including close recreation of those games' characters and gameplay. While the engine is set up primarily for fighting game development, several other game types have been developed using it, including shooter and platformer style games.

~Wikipedia Entry on MUGEN

MUGEN is a freeware game which is the free equivalent to a collaborative version of "Street Fighter II" made by fans of everything from 'the Simpsons' to 'Ranma 1/2'
Despite many of the characters looking out of place next to their opponents, the game still works well usually when Peter Griffin is beating up a 3D Super Mario.

There are a large number of websites, like Mugenation which offer downloadable custom content, such as characters, stages, tutorials, and screenpacks. My version is rather bland except for my custom menu choices, such as "Kick Some Ass" instead of "Arcade mode" and "F*** Off" for "Exit".

All in all, it's a fun game that's worth the 2MB RAR/ZIP base file download (but so is Weezer's "Pork and Beans" and is a handy little timewaster. Oh yeah, and it has 2-player multiplayer. :3


FINAL SCORE:

M.U.G.E.N.
Developer: Elecbyte (base game, 2001)
Publisher: N/A
Pros: Good support for downloads, easy and customizable interface, large user and creator base, and ability for 2-player co-op as well as your average 'beat the other guy up' gameplay.
Cons: Sometimes hard to share a keyboard (does feature joystick and PC gamepad compatability however) and no preloaded music, one preloaded character (Kung Fu Man) and 2 preloaded stages.

Overall Score: 8 out of 10.