I loves me some wiki.  This is not a fact I hide.  If I want information on something I refer first to our friends at wikipedia, then if I feel extra inspired I might actually turn to a traditional source of information like Britannica.  But the latter usually lacks depth or that personal perspective you get from a community compiled reference source.  After playing munchkin for the past few months I felt compelled to see what Mr. Wiki had to say on the subject.

First off, I learned that the term "Munchkin" predated the card game that has captured my recent infatuation.  Simply put, Munchkin refers to a person who plays a non-competitive game in a competitive manner.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munchkin_%28role-playing_games%29 

 The card experience created by Steve Jackson Games pretty much embodies this concept near perfectly.  This game combines basically every absurd aspect and in-joke ever known to RPG fans, and then adds madcap art and highly adaptable rules to make a well rounded party game experience.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munchkin_%28card_game%29 

 The wiki entry above mostly details the rules to the game and a basic breakdown of the game.  I think the game is better served by explaining the attitude behind the game, which is pretty much the point.  Winning most of the time is a moot point because playing itself is where 99 percent of the fun lies.  Yeah, doing the victory dance at the end is satisfying, but every turn is like a battle in itself and resolving a complex series of events through maneuvering and alliances keeps every moment fresh and exciting.

 The basic "goal" of the game is to get to level 10.  And like in the RPG's that inspired the game, you gain levels by defeating monsters.  You do so with items, abilities, and the help of other players.  And other players can help or hinder you adding an alliance/rivalry aspect to a fairly straightforward game. 

The fact that the game is simple with extra finesse for experienced players allows this game to be easy to pick up for the first time, as well as continuing to provide fun a lot longer than many other card games I have tried. 

I have mentioned that the player interactions play a factor in the game.  Most games keep that interaction as a minor factor.  But in Munchkin it adds a whole dimension the game.  I have honestly, on multiple occasions, helped another player win the game so someone who was sabotaging me before wouldn't win.  

Add to this the 25 dollar price tag for a game that will provide many hours of fun, amusing art, tons of laughs, and the ability to pick up any party with 5 minutes of instruction.  

And Steve Jackson Games has made many alternate versions with modified rules, as well as expansion packs for many of them.  Expansions add new depth for under 20 bucks.