For some reason, the 1980s and early 90s were a time when ripping off intellectual property was the given thing - especially when it came to video games.
In fact, it's a practise which continues to this day, albeit it slightly more disguised terms. Why, were it not for games playing fast and loose with copyright laws we'd never have had the Resident Evil series. Lest we forget, the first game in that franchise shamelessly "played homage" to Infogrames' Alone in the Dark. Imagine how the creators of that game must feel.
Or don't.
The choice is yours.
Still. Never mind. One of the first, most notoriously - oh-hoh! - aped games ever was Nintendo's original arcade classic Donkey Kong.
Here are but ten dubious attempts to recreate that Nintendo magic without being sued.
In fact, it's a practise which continues to this day, albeit it slightly more disguised terms. Why, were it not for games playing fast and loose with copyright laws we'd never have had the Resident Evil series. Lest we forget, the first game in that franchise shamelessly "played homage" to Infogrames' Alone in the Dark. Imagine how the creators of that game must feel.
Or don't.
The choice is yours.
Still. Never mind. One of the first, most notoriously - oh-hoh! - aped games ever was Nintendo's original arcade classic Donkey Kong.
Here are but ten dubious attempts to recreate that Nintendo magic without being sued.
KONGO KONG (Commodore 64)
In Victory Software's Kongo Kong players controlled a "fireman", who apparently lived in some sort of circus tent.
The kidnapped "beautiful woman" - a weirdly-proportioned blonde who looks as much mantis as female - is here depicted as being beneath the ape; in Donkey Kong she was imprisoned at the gorilla's side.
Perhaps this was so that Kongo Kong can express his dominance and power by urinating on her. You know: like presidents do.
The kidnapped "beautiful woman" - a weirdly-proportioned blonde who looks as much mantis as female - is here depicted as being beneath the ape; in Donkey Kong she was imprisoned at the gorilla's side.
Perhaps this was so that Kongo Kong can express his dominance and power by urinating on her. You know: like presidents do.
CONGO BONGO (arcade)
It's a little remembered fact that Sega released its own Donkey Kong "tribute" in the form of Congo Bongo. Of all the games on this list, this is the one which veers furthest away from the original Kong - by adopting an isometric viewpoint.
Alas, this rather pretty game didn't translate too well to home systems (although check out the ape: he got da moves...!).
Alas, this rather pretty game didn't translate too well to home systems (although check out the ape: he got da moves...!).
MONKEY BUSINESS (Atari ST)
Despite being called Monkey Business, there were no monkeys or apes to be found in this game. Presumably, the creators thought that they could get away with claims of plagiarism by changing the antagonist from an ape to a big fat man in green trousers. Also: the beautiful woman is here portrayed by Rupert Grint holding a blue briefcase, while waiting for a bus, apparently.
HONEY KONG (Oric-1)
It's worth pointing out the dubious extra pixel between the gorilla's legs in Honey Kong. Perhaps it's meant to represent his "tail". Let's hope he's not about to produce some "honey".
KRAZY KONG (ZX Spectrum)
Famously terrible, Crazy Kong nevertheless features the happiest ape on this list. Although, given the graphically shameful world into which he's been placed, quite what he has to smile about is anyone's guess.
KONG (ZX Spectrum)
One of the first games I ever bought for my Spectrum, Ocean's Kong is perhaps best remembered for his visible lungs. For this reason alone, he has earned the nickname "Darwin's Contrition".
KILLER KONG (ZX Spectrum)
A solid Kong clone - despite the ape here looking more like a blue snowman in a huff - it is perhaps best remembered for its cheeky cover artwork...
MONKEY KONG (Tandy TRS-80)
Colour-wise, Monkey Kong gets Mario bang-on (albeit after he's been rather overdoing it with the stuffed crusts). Unfortunately, it plays out against a neon green backdrop, which seems designed to invoke seizures.
APE CRAZE (Commodore 64)
You'd be right for wondering what's going on with the ape in Ape Craze. Or, indeed, what is going on in the above image full stop. Further questions are raised by its title screen, which appears to depict a surprised gingerbread man holding a carton of Um Bongo.
MARIO'S BREWERY (Commodore 64)
Mario's Brewery didn't even bother disguising the name of the main character in this Kong clone - but it did remove the ape, and replace him with an out-of-control beer machine. Consequently, this makes for a jarring blend of imagination and sheer opportunism, but is at least consistent with Nintendo's assertion that Mario is a high-functioning alcoholic.
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