The mobile gaming market is now worth over $50 billion and shows no signs of slowing down. A large portion of that revenue comes from so-called “freemium” games that are free to download but offer in-app purchases for power-ups, extra lives, and other enhancements. While some mobile games are original creations, many are based on popular console and PC games. Here are seven classic PC games that have inspired mobile versions.
1. Angry Birds (2009)
Inspired by: Crush the Castle (2009)
Angry Birds is one of the most popular mobile games of all time, with over three billion downloads across all platforms. The premise of the game is simple: using a slingshot, players must launch birds at structures made of wood, stone, and glass to destroy all the pigs inside. While the concept might not sound particularly original, the game was actually inspired by another physics-based game called Crush the Castle. In Crush the Castle, players use a trebuchet to destroy castles and kill any occupants inside. While Angry Birds is a more lighthearted take on destruction, both games share a common ancestry.
2. Candy Crush (2012)
Inspired by: Bejeweled (2001)
Players in Candy Crush must line up three or more similar candy to remove them from the board and earn points in this “match-three” puzzle game. The game was released in 2012 and quickly became one of the most popular mobile games of all time. While Candy Crush might seem like an original idea, it is actually heavily inspired by another puzzle game called Bejeweled. In Bejeweled, players must match gems horizontally or vertically in order to clear them from the board. Both Candy Crush and Bejeweled are extremely addictive and have spawned countless imitators over the years.
Why
3. Clash of Clans (2012)
Inspired by: Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002)
In the wildly popular mobile strategy game Clash of Clans, players construct bases, raise armies, and engage in player-versus-player combat to gain resources. The game was released in 2012 and has been downloaded over 500 million times. While Clash of Clans might seem like an original concept, it is actually heavily inspired by another strategy game called Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. In Warcraft III, players build bases, train troops, and attack other players in order to earn resources. Both Clash of Clans and Warcraft III are extremely complex and require hours of dedication to master. However, they both share a common ancestry and are extremely popular among gamers worldwide.
4. Flappy Bird (2013)
Inspired by: Super Mario Bros.(1985)
Flappy Bird is a trendy but notoriously difficult mobile game in which players must navigate a bird through a series of pipes without touching them. The game was released in 2013 and became an overnight sensation thanks to its simple gameplay and addictiveness. While Flappy Bird might seem like an original concept, it is heavily inspired by another classic video game, Super Mario Bros. In Super Mario Bros., players must navigate through a series of pipes without touching them. Both Flappy Bird and Super Mario Bros. are extremely addictive but require quick reflexes to master. However, they both share a common ancestry and are extremely popular among gamers worldwide.
5. Tetris (1984)
Inspired by: Pajama Sam’s Lost & Found (1998)
Tetris is one of the most popular video games of all time, with over 470 million copies sold worldwide. The game’s premise is simple: players must rotate and place falling tetrominoes into rows to clear them from the board. While Tetris might seem like an original concept, it is actually heavily inspired by another puzzle game called Pajama Sam’s Lost & Found. In Pajama Sam’s Lost & Found, players must rotate and place falling objects into rows in order to clear them from the board. Both Tetris and Pajama Sam’s Lost & Found share a common ancestry. They both require quick reflexes and strategic thinking and are extremely addictive. However, they both share a common ancestry.
6. Pokémon Go (2016)
Inspired by: Ingress (2012)
Pokémon Go is a popular mobile game in which players must capture, train, and battle virtual Pokémon in the real world. The game was released in 2016 and quickly became a global phenomenon, with over 500 million downloads to date. While Pokémon Go might seem like an original concept, it is actually heavily inspired by another mobile game called Ingress. In Ingress, players must catch, train, and engage in real-world combat with virtual creatures. Both Pokémon Go and Ingress are similar in that they require users to be physically active and navigate their environment to progress through the game. However, both also share a common ancestry and are extremely popular among gamers worldwide.
7. Temple Run (2011)
Inspired by: Indiana Jones (1981)
Temple Run is a wildly popular mobile game in which players must run, jump, and slide through difficult obstacles to escape angry temple guards. The game was released in 2011 and gained rapid popularity thanks to its simple yet engaging gameplay. While Temple Run might seem like an original concept, it is heavily inspired by another classic movie franchise, Indiana Jones. In the Indiana Jones movies, the main character has to navigate dangerous barriers by running, jumping, and sliding past irate temple guards. Both Temple Run and Indiana Jones require players to be physically active, navigate their environment, and avoid danger at all costs. However, they share a common ancestry and are extremely popular among gamers worldwide.
All the games mentioned in this article share a common ancestry: they were all inspired by other, older video games. While these newer games might seem like original concepts, they are actually heavily influenced by older and more established titles. This is not a bad thing; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. These new games borrow from the best ideas of their predecessors and improve on them, making for a better gaming experience for everyone involved. So next time you’re playing your favorite mobile game, take a moment to appreciate its complex heritage and how it has evolved over the years.