Let the AI fight itself. With 500 characters, setting up AI tournaments is a favorite pastime for many players.
However, when developers transitioned the concept into the —a freeware 2D fighting game engine designed by Elecbyte—the floodgates opened. The MUGEN framework allowed modders to inject custom sprites, audio tracks, stages, and entirely new mechanics. The "500 Characters" edition represents the absolute pinnacle of this community-driven expansion, packing hundreds of playable fighters and assist strikers into a single, cohesive package. Decoding the 500-Character Roster
Rather than having one character with multiple "power-up" buttons, MUGEN rosters often dedicate individual slots to every stage of a character’s growth (e.g., "Kid Naruto," "Sippuden Naruto," "Sage Mode," and "Baryon Mode").