Free Windows retro game engine
Screenshots
The M.U.G.E.N game engine enables users to create the 2D animated game character of their dreams when playing a game with friends. With this game engine for retro game fans, you can create your own fighting game, levels or game items. The complexity will depend on your level of game design knowledge.
There are a lot of community-created creations to enjoy in this free software. M.U.G.E.N works on newer versions of Windows and comes with a free demo game. Other community-generated free software offering similar functionality includes Solidworks, Game Maker, and MSWLogo.
Meaning of M.U.G.E.N
Elecbyte, the creators of M.U.G.E.N or MUGEN, state that they do not remember what the acronym means. Fans claim it refers to the Japanese word meaning “unlimited” as this reflects the purpose of the game engine. MUGEN is versatile and meant for gaming enthusiasts across all levels of game programming experience.
Features
The MUGEN freeware offers many features and gameplay modes such as Arcade, Team Arcade, Team Co-op VS, Team VS, Survival, Survival Co-op, Training, and Watch. This app allows developers to make changes to Windows games from perspectives such as text files, audio files, graphic files, and other formats. You create characters in the MUGEN application and export them. Importing content from MUGEN or rip screen elements from other games and making changes in the app is another option.
Authors
All creators on the app are called Authors. The programming languages used are C, Allegro Library, and SDL library. You can create simple single characters or full fighting games. Replicate existing characters from many spheres or make your unique designs to add to the MUGEN community. After watching a few easy tutorials, you’ll be ready to create, even with no prior programming knowledge.
Customization
In its basic form, this game engine supports the customization of fonts, sound effects, stats bars, characters, and backgrounds. It offers a resolution support range and seven gameplay buttons per character. You can play around with combo editions, intros, cut scenes, and as many sound samples per character as you wish to create.
For the love of making retro-style computer games
If you have DOS programming knowledge or are willing to learn and have a passion for making retro-style computer games, then the free MUGEN for Windows app will meet your needs. So far, hundreds of custom games have been created on it, each with its very own gameplay system, fighters, and backgrounds.