We’ve seen copycat games emerge from the shadows of genre-defining blockbusters, only to race past them in quality, fun, and innovation.
In gaming, imitation isn’t always the sincerest form of flattery—it can sometimes be the smartest move. Whether born from inspiration or desperation, these games didn’t just mimic—they mastered, and some games changed the industry.
Here’s our list of 10 copycat games that didn’t just hold their own—they straight-up outperformed the originals.
1. Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
Original: Mario Kart 64
Rare took the kart-racing formula and gave it an open-world twist, a real story mode, and multiple vehicle types like planes and hovercrafts. It was deeper, richer, and for many, more fun than its more famous predecessor. A true example of copycat brilliance.
2. League of Legends (2009)
Original: Defense of the Ancients (DotA)
Born from a Warcraft III mod, LoL refined the chaotic MOBA formula with accessibility, cleaner visuals, and regular updates. It became a global eSports juggernaut, proving that copycat games can sometimes become the gold standard.
3. Saints Row 2 (2008)
Original: Grand Theft Auto
The first Saints Row clearly took notes from GTA, but it was Saints Row 2 that found its wild, irreverent voice. With wacky customization, outrageous missions, and humor GTA wouldn’t dare, it became the chaotic cousin fans didn’t know they needed.
4. Stardew Valley (2016)
Original: Harvest Moon
One developer. Countless hours. And a love letter to farming sims. Stardew Valley expanded on Harvest Moon with better relationships, deeper farming mechanics, and addictive charm. Easily one of the best copycat games of the decade.
5. Hollow Knight (2017)
Original: Metroid / Castlevania
This independent gem built on the “Metroidvania” formula by adding moody writing, deep lore, and stunning art direction. Hollow Knight didn’t just copy—it redefined the genre for modern gamers. Oh, and Hollow Knight: Silksong might be coming soon, too.
6. Cities: Skylines (2015)
Original: SimCity
After the disaster that was SimCity (2013), Cities: Skylines rose as the city-building savior. It became the sim game that fans really wanted with mod support, accurate gameplay, and an easy-to-use interface.
7. Paladins (2016)
Original: Overwatch
While Overwatch got all the early glory, Paladins quietly grew a loyal fanbase with its free-to-play model, unique card system, and comparable gameplay. Some players even liked how it focused on strategy and had a more open development system.
8. Sleeping Dogs (2012)
Original: Grand Theft Auto
Yep, another GTA-style open-worlder, but this time in the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong. With slick martial arts combat, cinematic flair, and an emotional story, Sleeping Dogs felt like a high-octane Jackie Chan flick with controls that just clicked.
9. The Outer Worlds (2019)
Original: Fallout Series
Obsidian Entertainment leaned on its RPG roots to deliver a Fallout-esque experience with snappier writing, moral choices that mattered, and worlds that didn’t feel like endless wastelands. It was fresh, polished, and, dare we say, more enjoyable than some recent Fallout titles.
10. Genshin Impact (2020)
Original: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
At first glance, Genshin Impact screamed “anime Breath of the Wild rip-off.” But under the hood? Deep combat, co-op play, a rich character system, and massive content updates. It carved out its own identity and captivated millions globally.
Why Copycat Games Sometimes Win
It’s easy to dismiss copycat games as lazy knockoffs, but that’s missing the bigger picture. These developers often:
- Identify what works and streamline it
- Add new mechanics the original missed
- Cater to different audiences (budget gamers, mobile users, or casual fans)
- Take creative risks their predecessors couldn’t
While some fail spectacularly (cough mobile shovelware), others—like the games above—elevate the blueprint into something unforgettable. It’s always amazing to see a game stand out from the rest, and that’s what these copycat games did.
From Now On You Won't Underestimate Copycat Games Anymore
Gaming is an industry that thrives on innovation—but that doesn’t mean starting from scratch every time. Sometimes, the best new experience comes from reimagining an old one. These copycat games weren’t just bold enough to follow greats—they dared to outdo them.
And in doing so, they proved one thing loud and clear: it’s not who did it first—it’s who did it best.
Be sure to read our other feature articles to keep up with what’s hot and what’s not in the gaming world. If you don’t know about it yet, you can check out how the gaming community is shaping the video game industry.
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