In theory, Cuphead fans should be excited when similar games hit the market. However, games like Enchanted Portals have made us cautious. Rightfully so it seems.
Cuphead became a genuine indie phenomenon in 2017. Its distinctive look, inspired by cartoons from the 1920s and 1930s, combined with a well-thought-out combat system, catchy music, and challenging boss designs, captivated over 1 million players upon release. By 2020, a whopping 6 million people had purchased the run-and-gun title. Following its success, a DLC and even a Netflix series were released.
It was only a matter of time before imitators try to exploit such a good game for their profit. One specific Cuphead clone is attempting to incorporate Mickey Mouse into it, which recently entered public domain, and it looks just as you imagined, or maybe even worse.
Rubber House Rampage Looks Like A Cuphead Meets Mickey Mouse Fever Dream
The Cuphead knockoff "Rubber Hose Rampage" is set to be released on Steam and other platforms in spring 2024. You can already buy it on Xbox, but let me tell you: Don't. It is a huge pile of junk. A short look at the trailer already tells you everything you need to know:
In the trailer, we see both Mickey and Minnie Mouse battling against a series of poorly rendered bosses. The inspiration is clearly Cuphead, not only in terms of the 1920s aesthetic but also in shamelessly copying the combat system, which even then manages to fail looking enjoyable.
What's also mildly infuriating is that Mickey and Minnie are clearly just copied (in low resolution), while the enemies appear to have been drawn and animated seemingly in MS Paint.
Honestly, this game makes even the infamous Enchanted Portals look like a worthy homage to Cuphead.
Furthermore, the developers behind Rubber Hose Rampage have heavily borrowed from other IPs. Yes, many of the characters you see in there are in some form part of the public domain. However, this topic is not always so clear-cut.
For instance, Betty Boop from 1930 is part of one of the boss fights. The oldest version of this character is not expected to enter the public domain until 2026, and there already have been legal fights surrounding the copyright of her.
Even Studio MDHR, the creators of Cuphead themselves, could probably exercise their rights if they feel like it, with portions Rubber Hose Rampage's menu being exact copies.
If you want to see more about this game but don't feel like spending $5 on it, I recommend checking out YouTuber Pogobro's video.
The fact that the game, despite being announced, is nowhere to be found in either the Nintendo eShop or the PS Store speaks volumes.