5 Shameless clones on iOS and Android

Apple’s iOS, as well as the competing Android OS, are on the up as a serious platform for gaming – something that can be seen simply by browsing through the respective app stores, and glancing at the multitude of games, good and bad, that are available for purchase.

But not every game you know and love has an official iPad or Galaxy Tab release – for every Grand Theft Auto 3 that makes its way onto the app stores, there are a multitude of other popular games that will simply never appear on the touch-controlled devices.

Not to worry though – thanks to app stores apparently not even giving a flying fruitfly about shameless replication; a number of clones of your favourite games are available for you to play.

The most hilarious part of it? These clones don’t even try to hide the fact that they’re ripping other games off. Let’s check out 5 of the most shameless iOS/Android rip-offs we’ve come across.

Modern Combat 3

Ripping off: Modern Warfare 3

We start out with a Gameloft game because, well, they’ve sort of made mobile games that are “inspired” by popular franchises their bread and butter. Modern Warfare 3 isn’t the first game they’ve drawn inspiration from – but it is definitely the most shameless.

The real pity here is that Modern Combat 3 is actually a pretty fun game – and could definitely stand on its own feet. What makes us sad pandas is how Modern Combat’s name plays off the Modern Warfare brand – and with the release date in close proximity to the big release – we’re sure they enjoyed their share of the hype.

MinoMonsters

Ripping off: Pokemon

The chances of you seeing a proper Pokemon game hitting the Apple or Android stores is pretty unlikely (no, Pokémon Say Tap? BW doesn’t count) – so what better option is there, short of sucking it up and just yanking your GameBoy/DS out?

Well, you could just play MinoMonsters.

To be fair, the game is quite different to Pokemon in terms of objectives, animation and gameplay – but what it boils down to is that you’re levelling up themed monsters, and making them fight other monsters in arenas that are set out exactly like Nintendo’s prolific fan-favourite.

The developers should just call it MinoMon and be done with it.

Zanda: Linked Swords

Ripping off: Legend of Zelda

Do you see what they did there? Zanda. LINKed Swords.Very clever. Change Link’s clothes from green to orange – a few nips here, and some tucks there, and you have yourself a sure-win “tribute” to one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises.

It’s dangerous to go alone – so clone yourself – right?

Eden: World Builder

Ripping off: Minecraft

Even though Minecraft has its official iOS and Android apps, that hasn’t stopped the developers of Eden: World Builder from shamelessly flaunting a clone. Minecraft is already low-grade awesome in the visual department, and pretty simple in concept – so obviously it didn’t take much for it to be replicated and flogged off to people who don’t know any better – at a lower price, too.

Eden is essentially Minecraft’s creative mode (which, funnily enough, is exactly what Minecraft mobile is) – with some slight differences. But not really.

Super Jump World

Ripping off: Super Mario World

Take Mario, replace him with a leprechaun, change the turtles into snails and adjust the scenery. Boom. It’s a totally different game. Except for the question mark boxes, coin collecting and pretty much everything else about it.

Adding “Super” into the title just pushes this game even further into shamelessness. Tsk.

Arguably, none of these developers even want to hide the fact that they’re copying popular games; and really, with no “official” apps for fans to devour, there aren’t any real alternatives. But that doesn’t make it any less shameless.

Probably the worst part about it is that these guys are making money off of other people’s ideas and success (and brands) – and the app stores don’t seem to be that bothered at all.