Top 20 Most Cloned Video Games Ever

Before Mario Party, there was the ultimate racing party game: Mario Kart 64. Although it wasn’t the first kart racing game, or even the first Mario Kart game, it is widely credited with popularizing the kart-racing subgenre, which many games have tried to replicate with varying results in success. But it wasn't just about placing beloved franchise characters in go-karts, it was the game's simple yet engaging gameplay, offering a rewarding experience for players of all skill levels. In 2004, Nintendo even filed a patent for its innovative racing AI, offering a glimpse into the technical craft behind the excitement. We’re all the way up to Mario Kart 8, and Mario Kart still dominates the genre.

Few games have had as profound an impact on gaming as the original Metal Gear. Don’t get me wrong, Metal Gear Solid revolutionized video game storytelling, but the first Metal Gear paved the way for stealth-based gameplay, a genre that was so undefined that when Metal Gear released in 1987, it was classified as an action game, as the stealth genre hadn’t even been created. At the time, many executives were confused by the concept of avoiding enemies rather than confronting them, little did they know, that’s all I want to do in 2024. Since its release, stealth has become a core element in many games and has even developed into a genre of its own.

Dragon Quest, first released in 1986, is widely regarded as the game that defined the turn-based RPG genre, not technically the first, but at the time: Technically the best. It established key elements such as random encounters, a party-based combat system, and a simple yet effective turn-based battle system, the same system’s that have defined games’ like Final Fantasy and Pokemon. The game’s success influenced countless RPGs that followed, setting the standard for character progression, item use, and monster encounters. It also pioneered the idea of a grand, story-driven quest in an expansive world. Dragon Quest, may well have been more cloned than any other game in existence.

The Legend of Zelda stands as one of the most iconic and enduring franchises in gaming history, earning its reputation through both its quality and lasting influence, and inability for parents to realise that the little green fella isn’t Zelda. As a pioneer in the action-adventure genre, it has shaped the genre for decades. Notable innovations include rewarding exploration with optional secrets, blending puzzles and combat, and introducing one of the first functional save systems in games. The series also eliminated outdated features, such as point scoring, that were common at the time. It truly trimmed that fat, and caused the genre (and gaming in general) to grow. Go Link, you’re my favorite little green fella.

Team Fortress 2 was the game that helped define the hero shooter genre. Released in 2007, it introduced distinct playable characters, each with unique abilities, creating a diverse team-based gameplay experience … Sound familiar? It should, because you’re probably playing a game exactly like this right now. Its emphasis on teamwork, strategic coordination, and character-driven play laid the foundation for games like Overwatch and Paladins.

I’m gonna reiterate the parameters of this list right now, because I can hear people screaming “PUBG WASN’T THE FIRST BATTLE ROYALE GAME!!”. H1Z1 technically came first, but it can’t be argued that PUBG took the genre and inspired the hundreds of other games that have followed, and if you’re saying “what is H1Z1?”, thanks for helping prove my point. The goal of PUBG is to scavenge and loot nearby areas for better gear, giving you an edge over the competition. Along the way, you must eliminate other players while avoiding a deadly shrinking barrier that forces the action to stay within a smaller play area, preventing camping and encouraging player confrontations. The game is simple, yet engaging, and most importantly, addictive.

Mortal Kombat is a renowned fighting series that offers both 1v1 and team-based combat. It debuted in 1992 as a 2D game and has since undergone numerous visual upgrades, with the latest installment looking stunning … I never thought ripping someone’s spine out, and playing it like a xylophone could be so pretty. The series gained immense popularity due to its iconic brutal finishing moves, such as slicing opponents in half, decapitating them, or ripping out their still-beating hearts. While such extreme gore is often replicated, many games can be considered Mortal Kombat-inspired or clones due to their similar combat mechanics and emphasis on violent, over-the-top action.

First-person shooters became some of the earliest gaming phenomena, but aside from classics like Doom, one title stands out for shaping the genre's future: Halo: Combat Evolved, and somehow, with the constant discourse that goes on in gaming, it’s surprising that almost every gamer agrees with this. This game introduced and popularized key FPS mechanics, such as limited, interchangeable weapons, a dedicated melee button, and a separate button for grenades. Its cinematic storytelling and iconic protagonist set a new standard, influencing many games that followed. From Call of Duty to Overwatch, Halo set a standard that was unbeatable, but veryb cloneable.

Platformers are generally defined by the player's ability to navigate a character through an environment, reaching specific points to complete objectives or levels. Unlike early maze games like Pac-Man, platformers provide greater freedom of movement, focusing on the player’s skill in responding to dangers and choosing different paths. The introduction of jumping in Donkey Kong and the game's demand for quick reflexes set the stage for the iconic platformers that would define the genre, and THE game to define the genre saw Donkey Kong’s protagonist (mario) going off on his own adventure in Super Mario Bros. It defined the NES, it defined platformers, and it began the greatest video game series of all time.

If you want to talk about a game that introduced more modern gaming mechanics than any other game, it would be the open-world action-adventure genre defining game Assassin’s Creed. Although it hasn’t been AS directly cloned as others on this list, by blending stealth, parkour, and combat into a seamless experience, it created an experience which introduced game mechanics that have been stolen and reused in almost every game since 2007. The game introduced a vast, richly detailed world, and emphasized fluid movement, where players could climb buildings, leap across rooftops, and blend into crowds to avoid detection. The game’s unique combination of free-running, stealthy assassinations, and layered narratives laid the foundation for future open-world games, influencing mechanics in franchises like Watch Dogs and The Witcher 3.

Super Metroid left a lasting impact on developers, influencing countless titles. While fans didn’t see another entry in the series until 2002, the game’s influence was widespread. Along with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Super Metroid helped define the "Metroidvania" sub-genre, blending action, exploration, and freedom to create immersive experiences. This style has seen a modern revival, with developers putting their own spin on the formula. When you hear "Metroidvania," you're generally in for something great. If you’re backtracking because you unlocked a new skill that will help with something you passed an hour ago, you’ve got these games to thank … Or curse out? Your choice.

When Notch created Minecraft, he likely had no idea how massive his game would become. Its popularity has reached such heights that there’s now a wide range of game-related merchandise available worldwide, including cups, shirts, and plush toys. It's no surprise that many began to replicate the original concept, leading to a flood of Minecraft clones that dominate the market with games bearing a striking resemblance. Sandbox has a LOT to thank Minecraft for, and Jack Black ALSO has a lot to thank Minecraft for.

RPGs are often categorized by gameplay style, and their country of origin. While not all JRPGs and WRPGs are the same, they often share similar conventions. One of the most influential games in shaping WRPGs is The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Building on the foundation set by The Elder Scrolls: Arena, Daggerfall expanded the genre, establishing a subgenre of real-time WRPGs that emphasize player freedom and exploration. Its expansive, open world, brimming with secrets, set it apart from more linear JRPGs and other iconic WRPGs like Baldur’s Gate. It’s super interesting to go back and play Daggerfall, because you see it doing something that was never done before, that almost feels like a fan-made Skyrim.

Although not a standalone game, DotA deserves a spot on this list due to its profound influence on the entire Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre. Originally a mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion The Frozen Throne, DotA had players from opposing teams working to destroy the enemy’s core while defending their own, leveling up and being aided by AI-controlled minions. What began as a simple concept ultimately led to the creation of some of the most popular MOBAs, including League of Legends and DotA 2. If you’re currently enjoying Arkane, you have DotA to thank.

I’m reiterating this with every other entry, but when we touch on a genre with a very impassioned fanbase, I need to remind you all of the topic of this list to chill the comments. World of Warcraft was NOT the first MMOPRG by any stretch of the imagination, BUT it 100% defined the genre, and caused its popularity to explode. World of Warcraft is likely Blizzard's most famous creation and one of the most popular MMOs, even after all these years. While many MMOs borrow elements from WoW, most add their own unique features, giving them distinct personalities. If you haven’t already tried it, don’t … The risk of losing your time to this game is incredibly high.

This was a tough one, because although Modern Warfare was pretty heavily defined by Medal of Honor, I think Modern Warfare introduced so many elements to the FPS genre, that it deserves the most credit for creating clones. Modern Warfare, the fourth installment in the series, popularized military-based FPS games. Set in 2011, Modern Warfare’s success sparked a wave of modern military shooters, including a Medal of Honor reboot that returned the series to a 2002 setting. With so many clones flooding the market, it was only a matter of time before we went full circle.

Action RPGs have always been a popular genre, but Dark Souls stands out for defining its own path and creating a beloved sub-genre, the souls-like genre. Known as one of the most iconic titles in modern gaming, Dark Souls emphasizes difficulty, exploration, and minimalist storytelling. While it builds upon FromSoftware's earlier Demon's Souls, it gained a level of popularity its predecessor lacked, with most gamers not even realising Demon’s Souls came first, and prior to its remake, not even realising the game existed. The game's intentional challenge and melee combat have inspired numerous titles, including other FromSoftware games like Elden Ring, Souls-likes such as The Surge, and even games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

Ooooh yeah, we’re getting to the pointy end. Resident Evil defined the survival horror genre by blending tense gameplay, limited resources, and atmospheric storytelling. Released in 1996, it introduced the need to manage scarce supplies, such as ammunition and health, making players carefully consider every decision, admittedly these elements were already introduced in Alone in The Dark, but Resident Evil took it to a whole other level. The game’s fixed camera angles and confined spaces amplified fear, while puzzles offered an intellectual challenge. Its eerie soundtrack and unsettling sound design deepened the sense of dread. Admittedly the 3D tank controlled genre isn’t as cloned today as it was in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, there are a lot of games released today that have branching inspiration paths leading all the way back to Resident Evil.

The name says it all. After its release, similar games were often called "Doom clones.", they weren’t even trying to hide it. Doom set many of the genre's key conventions, including a wide range of weapons, networked multiplayer, and cheat codes. Some of these clones succeeded in adding their own innovations, which eventually made the term "Doom clone" less accurate. The DOOM devs also licensed the engine to other developers, further distancing the label. By 1998, these games were commonly referred to by a different title, you may have heard of it … first-person shooters. Despite the evolution of the genre, the adrenaline-pumping thrill of blasting demons in Doom remains unforgettable for fans.

The Grand Theft Auto series began as a 2D game in 1997, and while it has evolved significantly since then, certain core elements have remained consistent. Each GTA game lets players explore expansive open-world cities, either on foot or using various vehicles. The world in Grand Theft Auto has always felt alive, with cars driving around and pedestrians going about their day. But in 2001, the series moved to a 3D environment, which blew the series up so unbelievably that almost every open-world action game you can play today has at least ONE mechanic that was introduced in Grand Theft Auto III. From Saints Row, to True Crime, to Simpsons Hit and Run, to Jak II, GTA III has a little piece of it in most games since 2001.