Official M.U.L.E. versions

M.U.L.E. was released officially for the following six platforms:

In case someone has more information, especially about the sales figures, please contact me.
 
Atari 800

This version is regarded by many people as the best version - however, I do not concur because I think the Atari 800 version has some drawbacks which the C64 version does not have: For example it is possible with an easy trick at the end of the twelfth turn to make plenty of money, which results in colonies worth more than $250.000. The only big advantage of the Atari 800 is the fact that the computer has already four joystick ports built in - hence, four players can play this version with joystick and without using the keyboard (like in the C64 version).
This version has only 128 different playfields. If you know them by heart, this is a huge advantage...
 

Atari 800 title screen

Atari 800 Irata

Commodore 64

The C64 version is a bit less colorful than the Atari version, but the playability is almost the same. This is the version of choice for our tournaments.
As far as I can tell, the C64 version does have more than 128 playfields. I guess they are computed randomly, as opposed to the fixed playfields of the Atari version.
 
[ mule title ]
C64 title screen

C64 Irata

IBM PCjr.

This CGA version for 8086/88 computers was completely finished and released for the IBM PCjr. Here is a scan of the game disk label, courtesy of Travis J. McKay (thanks a lot, buddy!):

Unfortunately, the IBM PCjr's disk format is not compatible with nowadays' 5,25" disk drives, hence the disk could not be read yet. Moreover, from the label text, it is not definitely clear who does now own the license for M.U.L.E. - IBM or Electronic Arts? If someone knows that for sure, please let me know.
 
Nintendo Entertainment System

The Nintendo version was published seven years after the creation of the original game. The gameplay hasn't touched generally, only the graphics have been improved. There are some small differences, though (for example, you can catch the wampus more than once in a game turn). I never liked this version very much, but I have to admit that I've only played it on emulators so far.

Here is a scan of the game's cartridge:
 
 

This version is the only one which can be played via the internet through the use of NESticle's netplay feature.
 

NES title screen

NES Irata
 
MSX-1

The MSX-based computers were very popular in Japan, hence it was only logical for Electronic Arts to publish one of their best games there, too. However, the Japanese programmers utterly failed with their conversion. It is simply no fun at all to play it, because it is terribly slow and the graphics are even worse than on the C64.
 

MSX title screen

MSX Irata
 
PC-8801 MKII

This version is very similar to the MSX version; for now, here is only a screenshot of the title screen. More information will be added soon.


 
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