Nintendo eShop Uncovers Black Myth Wukong “Clone” Title That Leaves Fans Laughing

Following the remarkable success of Black Myth: Wukong at The Game Awards 2024, where it clinched several accolades, a questionable imitation has surfaced on the Nintendo eShop. This launch has sparked derisive commentary among Nintendo Switch users and followers of Black Myth: Wukong. Released in August 2024, Black Myth has received widespread acclaim, most notably earning a nomination for Game of the Year.

According to a report from IGN, a new title titled Wukong Sun: Black Legend has appeared on the Nintendo eShop, seemingly attempting to capitalize on the momentum generated by Black Myth’s success. Slated for release on December 26, 2024, Wukong Sun’s cover art portrays a 3D-rendered anthropomorphic monkey resembling Wukong. This design draws parallels to the cover of Black Myth, showcasing its central character, The Destined One. Moreover, both games are inspired by the classic tale of Journey to the West.

Wukong Sun: Black Legend Has Hit the eShop

Wukong Sun: Black Legend Shows Notable Resemblance to Black Myth: Wukong

Cover art for Wukong: Black Legend, featuring an anthropomorphic monkey adorned in shoulder armor.

While Wukong Sun: Black Legend is not an outright “fake”game—its eShop page includes gameplay screenshots revealing a colorful 2D platformer—the striking similarities in title and cover art to Black Myth: Wukong have raised eyebrows regarding the developer’s intentions. The title seems to have been creatively derived from rearranging Black Myth’s name while substituting “Legend”for “Myth,”raising questions about originality. Additionally, the visuals showcased in the game do not convey the epic battles, immersive environments, and mythical adversaries that its description suggests.

User L.O.R.D. on ResetEra compiled fan reactions, which have been largely critical. Comments referred to Wukong Sun as “overly inspired,”likening it to “Black Myth: Wukong at home,”and even labeling it a “shovelware cash grab.”Despite this, some comments noted that although the similarities in the title and artwork are conspicuous, the game could still operate legally as an adaptation of the Journey to the West, which remains in the public domain. Nevertheless, it’s likely Nintendo would not require a legal justification for removing such titles from their platform.

Our Take: Concerning Trends in Nintendo eShop Titles

Wukong Sun is Not the First “Copy”to Appear on the eShop, and Likely Won’t be the Last

An anthropomorphic monkey preparing to strike a small dragon with a stick in Wukong Sun: Black Legend.

The emergence of Wukong Sun is part of a broader trend of clones and imitators on the Nintendo eShop. As highlighted by IGN, this is not an isolated incident. A previous game titled The Last Hope: Dead Zone Survival, which appeared to mimic the renowned title The Last of Us, was similarly released and later removed due to copyright claims by Sony, as noted by Eurogamer. The indie title Unpacking also faced challenges from several unauthorized adaptations, prompting the developers to call out the issue publicly before the clones were taken down.

Interestingly, Wukong Sun is not the inaugural title to borrow elements from Black Myth, as another game named Wukong’s Child: Monkey King Myth was released just a month after Black Myth and bore some visual similarities. In a more positive light, the third Wukong-themed game, Sun Wukong VS Robot, launched in 2021 appears to be an authentic indie Metroidvania. Unlike Wukong Sun, it offers a unique experience and is currently priced at $2.49, likely presenting a more worthwhile investment for players seeking genuine content.

Sources: IGN, L.O.R.D./ResetEra, Eurogamer

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