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Apple rejects Mario parody Kill The Plumber from the App Store on copyright grounds

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Apple rejects Mario parody Kill The Plumber from the App Store on copyright grounds
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It's not much of a surprise, given the similarities to a certain Italian maintenance expert, but Apple has rejected Mario parody game Kill The Plumber from the App Store.

Writing in a forum post on Touch Arcade, the team reported that the app had been banned as it "includes content or features that resemble a well-known third-party material, Super Mario Bros".

The devs appealed the decision, arguing that the game was a parody, and that everything in the game - including graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics - had been made by them.

But it wasn't enough. The team was told that to release the game on the App Store it would require a complete overhaul, "from the appearance to the functionality".

It's a shame, as the reverse platformer, where you play as a variety of enemies trying to stop a plumber finishing a level, looks like a lot of fun. Just watch our video to see more.

It's not all bad news however. The team says that the game will still be coming to Android on the 23rd of July, with a "bigger" version for Steam coming some time later.

Ric Cowley
Ric Cowley
Ric was somehow the Editor of Pocket Gamer, having started out as an intern in 2015. He hopes to take over the world the same way.