Even if you haven't played these games, chances are good you've played something like them. Welcome to WatchMojo and today, we're looking at games that popularized and dominated genres, causing developers to focus resources into copying them.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo and guess what, if you enjoyed the Silent Hill 2 remake you've got
00:15Dead Space to thank, who has Resident Evil 4 to thank, who learnt a lot about combat
00:19from Dino Crisis, who was directly influenced by the original Resident Evil, which wouldn't
00:23have existed without Alone in the Dark. These are the 20 most cloned video games ever.
00:28For this list, we're not focusing on games that started genres, but games that popularised and
00:33dominated genres, causing developers to focus resources into copying them. Let's go.
00:38Mario Kart 64
00:49Before Mario Party, there was the ultimate racing party game Mario Kart 64. Although it wasn't the
00:55first kart racing game, or even the first Mario Kart game, it is widely credited with popularising
01:00the kart racing sub-genre, which many gamers have tried to replicate with varying results
01:04in success. But it wasn't just about placing beloved franchise characters in go-karts,
01:08it was the game's simple yet engaging gameplay offering a rewarding experience for players of
01:13all skill levels. In 2004, Nintendo even filed a patent for its innovative Racing AI offering a
01:19glimpse into the technical craft behind the excitement. We're all the way up to Mario Kart
01:248, and Mario Kart still dominates the genre. Metal Gear
01:35Few games have had as profound an impact on gaming as the original Metal Gear. Don't get
01:46me wrong, Metal Gear Solid revolutionised video game storytelling, but the first Metal Gear paved
01:51the way for stealth-based gameplay, a genre that was so undefined that when Metal Gear released in
01:561987, it was classified as an action game, as the stealth genre hadn't even been created. At the
02:02time, many executives were confused by the concept of avoiding enemies rather than confronting them.
02:07Little did they know, that's all I'd want to do in 2024. Since its release, stealth has become
02:11a core element in many games, and has even developed into a game genre of its own.
02:16Dragon Quest
02:25Dragon Quest first released in 1986, and is widely regarded as the game that defined the
02:38turn-based RPG genre. Not technically the first, but at the time, technically the best. It established
02:45key elements such as random encounters, a party-based combat system, and a simple yet
02:49effective turn-based battle system. The same systems that have defined games like Final
02:53Fantasy and Pokemon. The game's success influenced countless RPGs that followed,
02:57setting the standard for character progression, item use, and monster encounters. It also pioneered
03:02the idea of a grand, story-driven quest in an expansive world. Dragon Quest may well have been
03:08more cloned than any other game in existence. The Legend of Zelda
03:29The Legend of Zelda stands as one of the most iconic and enduring franchises in gaming history,
03:34earning its reputation through both its quality and lasting influence, and inability for parents
03:39to realise that the little green fella isn't Zelda. As a pioneer in the action-adventure genre,
03:44it has shaped the genre for decades. Notable innovations include rewarding exploration,
03:48with optional secrets, blending puzzles and combat, and introducing one of the first
03:53functional save systems in games. The series also eliminated outdated features such as point
03:58scoring that were common at the time. It truly trimmed the fat, and caused the genre, and gaming
04:02in general, to grow. Go Link, you're my favourite little green fella. Team Fortress 2
04:15Team Fortress 2 was the game that helped define the hero shooter genre. Released in 2007,
04:35it introduced distinct playable characters, each with unique abilities, creating a diverse,
04:40team-based gameplay experience. Sound familiar? It should, because you're probably playing a
04:44game exactly like this right now. Its emphasis on teamwork, strategic coordination, and character
04:50driven play laid the foundation for games like Overwatch and Paladins. Player Unknown's
05:10Battlegrounds. I'm going to reiterate the parameters of this list right now because
05:22I can hear people screaming PUBG WASN'T THE FIRST BATTLE ROYALE GAME. H1Z1 technically came first,
05:27but it can't be argued that PUBG took the genre and inspired the hundreds of other games that
05:32have followed. And if you're saying what is H1Z1, thanks for helping prove my point.
05:36The goal of PUBG is to scavenge and loot nearby areas for better gear, giving you an edge over
05:41the competition. Along the way, you must eliminate other players while avoiding a deadly shrinking
05:46barrier that forces the action to stay within a small player area, preventing camping and
05:51encouraging player confrontations. The game is simple yet engaging, and most importantly,
05:55addictive. Mortal Kombat is a renowned fighting series that offers both 1v1 and team-based combat.
06:17It debuted in 1992 as a 2D game and has since undergone numerous visual upgrades,
06:23with the latest installment looking stunning. I never thought ripping someone's spine out and
06:27playing it like a xylophone could be so pretty. The series gained immense popularity due to its
06:32iconic, brutal finishing moves, such as slicing opponents in half, decapitating them, or ripping
06:37out their still-beating hearts. While such extreme gore is often replicated, many games can be
06:41considered Mortal Kombat inspired or clones due to their similar combat mechanics and emphasis
06:47on violent, over-the-top action. Halo Kombat Evolved
07:05First-person shooters became some of the earliest gaming phenomena, but aside from
07:09classics like Doom, one title stands out for shaping the genre's future. Halo Kombat Evolved,
07:15somehow, with the constant discourse that goes on in gaming, it's surprising that almost every
07:20gamer agrees with this. The game introduced and popularized key FPS mechanics, such as limited,
07:25interchangeable weapons, a dedicated melee button, and a separate button for grenades.
07:29Its cinematic storytelling and iconic protagonists set a new standard, influencing many games that
07:35followed. From Call of Duty to Overwatch, Halo set a standard that was unbeatable, but very clonable.
07:45Super Mario Bros.
07:52Platformers are generally defined by the player's ability to navigate a character through an
08:03environment, reaching specific points to complete objectives or levels. Unlike early maze games like
08:08Pac-Man, platformers provided greater freedom of movement, focusing on the player's skill in
08:13responding to dangers and choosing different paths. The introduction of jumping in Donkey Kong and
08:18the game's demand for quick reflexes set the stage for the iconic platformers that would define the
08:23genre, and the game to define the genre saw Donkey Kong's protagonist, Mario, going off on his own
08:28adventure in Super Mario Bros. It defined the NES, it defined platformers, and it began the greatest
08:35video game series of all time. Assassins Creed. If you want to talk about a game that introduced
08:56more modern gaming mechanics than any other game, it would be the open-world action-adventure genre
09:02game, Assassins Creed. Although it hasn't been as directly cloned as others on this list, by
09:07blending stealth parkour and combat into a seamless experience, it created an experience which
09:12introduced game mechanics that have been stolen and reused in almost every single game since 2007.
09:18The game introduced a vast, richly detailed world, and emphasised fluid movement where players could
09:23climb buildings, leap across rooftops, and blend into crowds to avoid detection. The game's unique
09:28combination of free-running, stealthy assassinations, and layered narratives laid the
09:33foundation for future open-world games, influencing mechanics in franchises like Watch Dogs and The
09:38Witcher 3. Super Metroid left a lasting impact on developers, influencing countless titles. While
10:02fans didn't see another entry in the series until 2002, the game's influence was widespread. Along
10:08with Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Super Metroid helped define the Metroidvania sub-genre,
10:13blending action, exploration, and freedom to create immersive experiences. This style has
10:19seen a modern revival, with developers putting their own spin on the formula. When you hear
10:23Metroidvania, you're generally in for something great. If you're backtracking because you unlocked
10:28a new skill that will help you with something you passed an hour ago, you've got these games to
10:32thank. Or curse out. Your choice. Minecraft. When Notch created Minecraft, he likely had no
10:48idea how massive his game would become. Its popularity has reached such heights that there's
10:52now a wide range of game-related merchandise available worldwide, including cups, shirts,
10:57and plush toys. Oh, and there was some- oh, a f***ing movie! It's no surprise that many began
11:01to replicate the original concept, leading to a flood of Minecraft clones that dominate the market,
11:06with games bearing a striking resemblance. Sandbox has a lot to thank Minecraft for,
11:11and Jack Black also has a lot to thank Minecraft for. The Elder Scrolls 2 Daggerfall
11:21RPGs are often categorised by gameplay style and their country of origin. While not all JRPGs and
11:35WRPGs are the same, they often share similar conventions. One of the most influential games
11:40in shaping WRPGs is The Elder Scrolls 2 Daggerfall. Building on the foundations set by The Elder
11:46Scrolls Arena, Daggerfall expanded the genre, establishing a sub-genre of real-time WRPGs that
11:53emphasise player freedom and exploration. Its expansive open world brimming with secrets set
11:59it apart from the more linear JRPGs and other iconic WRPGs like Baldur's Gate. It's super
12:08interesting to go back and play Daggerfall because you see it doing something that was
12:11never done before, that almost feels like a fan-made Skyrim. Defense of the Ancients
12:33Although not a standalone game, Dota deserves a spot on this list due to its profound influence
12:39on the entire multiplayer online battle arena genre. Originally a mod for Warcraft 3 Reign of
12:45Chaos and its expansion The Frozen Throne, Dota had players from opposing teams working to destroy
12:50the enemy's core while defending their own, levelling up and being aided by AI-controlled
12:55minions. What began as a simple concept, ultimately led to the creation of some of
12:59the most popular MOBAs including League of Legends and Dota 2. If you're currently enjoying
13:04Arcane you have Dota to thank. World of Warcraft
13:15I know I'm reiterating this with every other entry but when we touch on a genre with a very
13:25impassioned fanbase I need to remind you all of the topic of this list to chill the comments.
13:31World of Warcraft was not the first MMORPG by any stretch of the imagination but it 100% defined
13:39the genre and caused its popularity to explode. World of Warcraft is likely Blizzards most famous
13:44creation and one of the most popular MMOs even after all these years. While many MMOs borrow
13:50elements from WoW, most add their own unique features giving them distinct personalities.
13:54If you haven't already tried it, don't. The risk of losing your time to this game is incredibly high.
14:00Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare
14:07This was a tough one because although Modern Warfare was pretty heavily defined by Medal
14:18of Honor, I think Modern Warfare introduced so many elements to the FPS genre that it deserves
14:23the most credit for creating clones. Modern Warfare, the 4th instalment in the series,
14:27popularised military-based FPS games. Set in 2011, Modern Warfare's success sparked a wave
14:33of modern military shooters, including a Medal of Honor reboot that returned the series to a 2002
14:39setting. With so many clones flooding the market, it was only a matter of time before we went full
14:44circle. Dark Souls
14:51Action RPGs have always been a popular genre, but Dark Souls stands out for defining its own
15:05path and creating a beloved sub-genre, the Souls-like genre. Known as one of the most
15:10iconic titles in modern gaming, Dark Souls emphasises difficulty, exploration and minimalist
15:16storytelling. While it builds upon From Software's earlier Demon's Souls, it gained a level of
15:21popularity its predecessor lacked, with most gamers not even realising Demon's Souls came
15:25first and prior to its remake, not even realising the game existed. The game's intentional challenge
15:30and melee combat have inspired numerous titles, including other From Software games like Elden
15:35Ring, Souls-likes such as The Surge and even games like Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order.
15:40Resident Evil
15:52Ooh yeah, we're getting to the pointy end. Resident Evil defined the survival horror
16:04genre by blending tense gameplay, limited resources and atmospheric storytelling. Released
16:09in 1996, it introduced the need to manage scarce supplies such as ammunition and health,
16:15making players carefully consider every decision. Admittedly, these elements were already introduced
16:20in Alone in the Dark, but Resident Evil took it to a whole other level. The game's fixed camera
16:25angles and confined spaces amplified fear, while puzzles offered an intellectual challenge. Its
16:31eerie soundtrack and unsettling sound design deepened the sense of dread. Admittedly,
16:36the 3D tank control genre isn't as cloned today as it was in the late 90s and early 2000s. There
16:41are a lot of games released today that have branching inspiration paths leading all the
16:46way back to, you guessed it, Resident Evil. Doom
16:58The name says it all. After its release, similar games were often called Doom clones. They weren't
17:11even trying to hide it. Doom set many of the genre's key conventions, including a wide range
17:15of weapons, networked multiplayer, and cheat codes. Some of these clones succeeded in adding
17:20their own innovations which eventually made the term Doom clone less accurate. The Doom
17:25devs also licensed the engine to other developers, further distancing the label. By 1998, these games
17:31were commonly referred to by a different title, you might have heard of it, first-person shooters.
17:35Despite the evolution of the genre, the adrenaline-pumping thrill of blasting demons in
17:39Doom remains unforgettable for fans.
18:08Grand Theft Auto 3
18:22The GTA series began as a 2D game in 1997, and while it has evolved significantly since then,
18:29certain core elements have remained consistent. Each GTA game lets players explore expansive
18:34open-world cities, either on foot or using various vehicles. The world in Grand Theft Auto
18:38has always felt alive, with cars driving around and pedestrians going about their day. But in
18:432001, the series moved to a 3D environment which blew the series up so unbelievably that almost
18:50every open-world action game you can play today has at least one mechanic that was introduced in
18:55GTA 3. From Saints Row to True Crime to Simpsons Hit and Run to Jack 2, GTA 3 has a little piece
19:03of it in most games since 2001. Did you enjoy this video? Check out these other clips from
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