The Binding of Isaac: 2 Open Source Clones Compared
Paper Isaac stays structurally close to the original — its level design was recreated by playing the source game — while replacing the art and music with new work from its contributors, including cover versions of the soundtrack. Witch Blast takes a more independent approach: it keeps a similar found-item roguelite structure but resets the setting to a magician exploring a procedurally generated dungeon, adding its own systems for temple/divinity effects, a merchant, and spells on cooldowns rather than passive pickups, plus local 2-player co-op. Both are free, standalone games that don't require the original Isaac's files.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 3y ago
- Stars
- 228
- Contributors
- 9
- License
- GPL-3.0
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoThe game is a free original creation with its own assets; no original game data required.
- Multiplayer
- Local
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, OSX
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 11y ago
- Stars
- 67
- Contributors
- 5
- License
- MIT
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoA fan game with its own code, art, and music (original music covered by various artists).
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | Witch Blast | Paper Isaac |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows | Windows, Linux, OSX |
| Play in browser | No | No |
| Mobile | No | No |
| Project health | ||
| Development status | Halted | Halted |
| Last updated | 3y ago | 11y ago |
| Stars | 228 | 67 |
| Contributors | 9 | 5 |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Compatibility | ||
| Requires original assets | NoThe game is a free original creation with its own assets; no original game data required. | NoA fan game with its own code, art, and music (original music covered by various artists). |
| Multiplayer | Local | — |
| Preview | | |
Frequently asked questions
Are the The Binding of Isaac clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these The Binding of Isaac clones use?
Witch Blast (GPL-3.0); Paper Isaac (MIT).
Do I need to own the original The Binding of Isaac to play these clones?
Witch Blast and Paper Isaac run standalone, no original files needed.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to The Binding of Isaac.