On December 26, a Wukong game will launch on the Nintendo eShop, but it is not the Wukong game that you know. Some gamers are already furious and calling it a knock-off of one of the most favorite games of this year.
“Embark on an epic Journey to the West in Wukong Sun: Black Legend!” read the game’s description. “Step into the role of the immortal Wukong, the legendary Monkey King, as he battles through a chaotic world teeming with powerful monsters and untold dangers.”
ALSO READ: People Can Fly Cut 120 Roles Two Weeks To Christmas
“Explore a story inspired by Chinese mythology, filled with action-packed battles, stunning environments, and legendary foes.”
The game has remarkable differences compared to the Wukong game that players loved. Priced at just $7.99, Wukong Sun is a 2D side-scrolling game developed by Global Game Studio that promises “supercharged abilities and crazy fighting skills”. It will feature four iconic locations “each guarded by formidable bosses”.
Leaning closely to Black Myth, Wukong Sun will feature hidden secrets and mythical lore. As players progress through the game, they’ll upgrade their character and unlock four unique skins.
Posts calling the game a knockoff dominated the Chinese social media app, Weibo. Pear Video, a popular account dedicated to news wrote, “Well-known games have been plagued by imitations for a long time. Malicious developers exploit the names of well-known games, reskin various small games, and put them on the shelves of big game stores with similar titles, deceiving uninformed consumers to buy and download.”
Nintendo has been criticized for not properly policing their eShop leading to the flooding of their marketplace with shovelware and games that infringe on other IPs. Interestingly, Nintendo is one of the companies that move mountains to protect their IP.
ALSO READ: 5 Biggest AAA Game Flops Of 2024. Over $1 Billion Lost In Development Cost
This year, the Japanese Super Mario Bros. publisher shut out several emulator makers including Yuzu. They also filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Palworld. Copycats of popular games are becoming a common sight in the gaming industry. Earlier this month, we reported that a Gray Zone copycat surfaced on the PlayStation Store.
Do you think it is the responsibility of marketplace operators to police the games uploaded on their platform or the responsibility of gamers to be sure of what they are purchasing? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
