Based on the Japanese Kinnikuman franchise, M.U.S.C.L.E. Tag Team Match was released in 1985 for the NES (Famicom in Japan). It stood out by bringing toy tie-ins and manga characters into a wrestling format, appealing to kids familiar with the M.U.S.C.L.E. figurines. Players selected from a roster of colorful, over-the-top characters, each with unique signature moves, setting it apart from the more generic fighters of earlier wrestling titles.

Gameplay focused on chaotic tag matches, where players controlled one wrestler while their partner could be tagged in at crucial moments. The action was fast-paced but less tactical than Tag Team Wrestling, relying more on positioning and the spectacle of outrageous moves. Characters like Terryman and Ramenman reflected the comic’s mix of parody and superhero exaggeration, making the game more lighthearted than its predecessors.

Though simplistic, its charm came from blending pro wrestling with anime-style heroes and villains. It was also one of the first licensed wrestling games, bridging pop culture and gaming. While critics found it shallow, its legacy is tied to nostalgia for the Kinnikuman/M.U.S.C.L.E. toy craze, and it remains a quirky milestone in wrestling game history.