10 More Shameless Video Game Rip-Offs (That Were Actually Great)

Mario Kart copycats started cropping up almost immediately after the Italian plumber took to the track. Over the years, companies have churned out their own imitations, including Crash Team Racing, Disney Speedstorm, and a gaggle of Sonic racing titles.

However, one of the best Mario Kart clones also happens to be among the earliest, Diddy Kong Racing. As can be expected from a Rare title, the cutesy racer has creative levels, sharp controls, accessible gameplay, and catchy tunes.

But Diddy Kong Racing is more than a reskin. Rather than just driving karts, Diddy and his friends can take to the skies in planes or zoom through the ocean in hovercrafts. Each vehicle works very differently, giving the gameplay a great sense of diversity.

Rather than collecting randomised items on each race, the power-ups are colour-coded, each offering a specific item. Repeatedly picking up the same power-up upgrades the item, forcing drivers to heavily rely on strategy in each race.

Also, don't let the adorable aesthetic fool you. Diddy Kong Racing is tough as nails, offering a real challenge to anyone.

Although the multiplayer pales compared to Mario Kart, the single-player is phenomenal. Due to the elaborate hub-world, dozens of races, rock-hard boss battles, imaginative challenges, secret levels, and the grand prix mode, it's hard to think of many racing titles that put as much effort in their main campaign as this gem.