Play M.U.S.C.L.E Online

M.U.S.C.L.E. came out on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, a Namco release that fit right in with the era's growing library of oddball arcade-style games. It was based on a Japanese toy line of miniature rubber wrestlers, which explains the bizarre cast of characters you get to pick from. It didn't try to be a serious sports title; it was just a simple, strange brawler you'd pop in for a quick match.

You control one of dozens of lumpy, super-deformed wrestlers, each with a unique, silly name and look. The objective is to clear a series of one-on-one matches by either pinning your opponent for a three count or throwing them out of the ring. The main mechanics are basic grappling, punching, and a running attack, but the real signature is the ring itself, which has elastic ropes that can be used to bounce into or away from your foe. The pacing is fast and the controls are stiff, making every match a clumsy, frantic shoving contest. It feels like trying to fight your way out of a ball pit while wearing oven mitts.