Wukong Sun: Black Legend – shameless clone of Black Myth: Wukong spotted on Nintendo eShop

Black Myth: Wukong became a global sensation in 2024, reaching a peak of over 2.4 million concurrent players and securing its place as one of the year’s most successful titles. Although it fell short of winning "Game of the Year" at the Game Awards, its popularity seems to have inspired others to capitalize on its success. On December 26, a game titled Wukong Sun: Black Legend appeared in the Nintendo eShop, priced at around $8. This release is an unmistakable imitation of the original title and is currently available only in the US.

Wukong Sun: Black Legend also centers on the Monkey King’s adventures but significantly diverges from the original in both genre and quality. Instead of a polished action-adventure, players are presented with a basic 2D platformer. Even the cover image, which appears to be poorly generated by AI, hints at the game’s lack of refinement. For those unfamiliar with the original or who don’t examine it closely, the resemblance might still be convincing enough to cause confusion, leading some to believe this is the original Monkey King journey adapted for the Switch (available on Amazon for $280).

The reason for its eShop exclusivity seems clear. The original Black Myth: Wukong, built in Unreal Engine 5, sets a graphical standard far beyond what the Switch can handle, making it unavailable on the platform. This gap leaves room for deceptive imitations like Wukong Sun. Parents, for instance, might unknowingly purchase this knockoff, thinking it’s the real deal for their children. It’s hard to avoid the impression that someone is exploiting this confusion to turn a quick profit.

Community reactions: Mockery and irony

The release of Wukong Sun: Black Legend sparked a wave of sarcasm on Reddit. Many users mocked the similarity in names and pointed out the ironic twist that China, frequently criticized in the West for copyright issues, appears to have fallen victim to a clone itself. While some focused on this cultural irony, others highlighted the need for stronger intellectual property protections in digital marketplaces.

Criticism of Nintendo

Nintendo has also faced criticism, particularly regarding quality control in the eShop. Many players argue that the platform enables games like Wukong Sun: Black Legend to capitalize on the success of major titles without meeting acceptable quality standards. This has led to growing demands for stricter criteria for game approvals.