Planet M.U.L.E.

I posted this in another thread as part of another bunch of thoughts but think it is worth discussing properly.  So I changed it a bunch but you might recognize the underlying points...

What does everyone think of the original games, Atari/C64/IbmPcjr/Nintendo/?

Here is where I stand:

I never played the IbmPcjr version.  The Nintendo version represents everything that is wrong in the world...

The c64 got a few improvements over the Atari, but I never played it, so I have gathered that those improvements are limited to the following but would love to hear any more/corrections:

1) truly random maps
2) commodity values ignore traded values on the last turn
3) planetquake no longer moves mountains (?) / destroys mules (?)
4) better A.I.

With a remake of c64 version I would look forward to only really needing the following bug discussions:

1) the bug on plot auctions when you are "first" and you hold up even when you can't run the bid up anymore... and you will win so long as you keep holding up!
2) the bug which causes the Wampus to be uncatchable at the top of the map
3) the bug which lets you set the price of crystite in the 12th development
4) the bug where you place a mining mule in a river plot and then add a food mule (hiding the other mule who disappears after the round)

And the following subtle tweaks

1) the fact that win/lose a plot in turns < 4 is extreme
2) the fact that collusion is way too open to abuse online
3) mountains in the two plots adjacent to the store suck harry nut sacks

Piete pointed out that the first bug I listed could be a feature, you are forced to spend your whole bank roll afterall.  My uncle agrees with him.

I would too, except that I think you also have to make it to the "top" of the auction column, in other words if you only have 500 and it starts at 450 it doesn't work.  It smells like a bug to me as a result, but I really need to confirm this behaviour is the case.  My c64 to standard rca cables are in transit :)...

Piete also pointed out the second bug is mostly harmless, and bug 3 is fixed, and that bug 4 is easily avoided.  I agree here, here and here.

I thought of 1 more bug, and its pushing it:

5) the bug where if you stay on the summary screen at the end of a game long enough the music will get all messed up. 

The problem fixes itself eventually and is certainly harmless, but it is a bug!

So what do you guys think, anymore bugs?  What's your experience with the other versions?

I thought every other aspect of the c64 version was flawless and exactly as intended.  So a bug is really just something you see as a problem btw.

Please also tell us how you played, was it vs. AI or was it always against 4/3/2?  Were you trying to play with your kids/parents or were/are you competing in a vicious game for the ultimate bragging rights?

I myself played and still play in a heartless 4 player tournament on the c64.  If the AI is included as he sometimes must, the game (for us) is ruined and we don't usually enjoy it much or even bother playing.  Playing Mule with the AI is sort of like playing with your little brothers and sisters; you just know they are going to do something stupid and get you in trouble.  :P