Mind Games French Defense: released in 2023, cherry, amber and sweet, about 7h on skin, projection 8/10, sillage 5/10. The alternatives below are matched to that profile.
The closest Mind Games French Defense dupe we found is Banana Republic Dark Cherry & Amber — 89% match, about $25 (estimate) versus about $375 for a 100 ml bottle.
The five closest scent matches — the best Mind Games French Defense dupes we found, ranked by opening & dry-down similarity:
| # | Alternative | Scent match | Est. price (100 ml) | Longevity vs Mind Games French Defense | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banana Republic Dark Cherry & Amber | 89% | about $25* (−93%) | 5h vs 7h | 5/10 |
| 2 | Fine'ry. Not Another Cherry | 84% | about $35* (−91%) | 5h vs 7h | 7/10 |
| 3 | Fragrance World Eclipse Extrait Nova | 84% | about $30 (−92%) | 2h vs 7h | 7/10 |
| 4 | Sicili Fragances Cherry Kiss | 82% | about $65 (−83%) | 3h vs 7h | 7/10 |
| 5 | Lattafa Perfumes New York the City of Dreams | 79% | about $35 (−91%) | 5h vs 7h | 8/10 |
This fragrance captures the core cherry-and-amber profile of Mind Games French Defense with a smooth, approachable sweetness that lingers beautifully on the skin.
It shares its sweet, floral and cherry accords with Mind Games French Defense, lasts about 5h against 7h and carries 1,869 community ratings.
A vibrant and accessible take on the cherry-forward character found in French Defense, offering a similar playful yet sophisticated floral-fruity balance.
It shares its cherry, sweet and floral accords with Mind Games French Defense, lasts about 5h against 7h and carries 1,223 community ratings.
This scent leans into the deeper, woodier facets of French Defense, providing a rich and resonant experience that mirrors the original's complex structure.
It shares its sweet, powdery and woody accords with Mind Games French Defense, opens on Cherry too and lasts about 2h against 7h.
Evokes the bright, ozonic cherry opening of French Defense while settling into a warm, powdery floral base that feels remarkably familiar.
It shares its cherry, amber and sweet accords with Mind Games French Defense, opens on Cherry too, lasts about 3h against 7h and carries 3 community ratings.
Shares the sophisticated, urban floral-woody DNA present in French Defense, offering a long-lasting and well-rounded alternative for daily wear.
It shares its woody, cherry and sweet accords with Mind Games French Defense, opens on Cherry too, lasts about 5h against 7h and carries 63 community ratings.
Banana Republic Dark Cherry & Amber, at about $25 for 100 ml (estimate) — around 95% less than Mind Games French Defense.
Lattafa Perfumes New York the City of Dreams, at about 5h on skin, against about 7h for Mind Games French Defense.
Banana Republic Dark Cherry & Amber, at 89% overall scent match across the opening and the dry-down.
Mind Games French Defense itself sells from $395.49 (100 ml) at partnered retailers.
At 4 sprays a day — about 146 ml a year — Banana Republic Dark Cherry & Amber saves you about $510 a year against Mind Games French Defense. Assumes 100 ml bottles on both sides; prices are estimates.
Across 2,358 originals, the median designer bottle is $120 and its closest match $30 — the Dupe Report 2026.
On an 8-hour day, none of the 5 last a full 8 hours. Lattafa Perfumes New York the City of Dreams comes closest at 5.4h, so it needs one re-spray to cover the day.
Mind Games French Defense notes, performance and price
AltScent is also free on the App Store and Google Play.
Updated 2026-08-09.