A gamer finds a nostalgic action figure of Pepsiman, the protagonist of the late 90s video game created by Pepsi for the PlayStation.
A gamer has unearthed a vintage action figure of Pepsiman, the bizarre advertisement mascot and video game protagonist that Pepsi brought to life in the late 90s as a new method of marketing the popular soda. Being a first generation PlayStation game, some may have forgotten or may not be aware of Pepsiman. However, a gamer's memory has been jogged by the discovery of a vintage action figure of the character, leading them to share the find with the internet.
When it comes to video games, Pepsiman is one of the strangest licensed games to ever have been made. With titles like Burger King's Sneak King and Shaq Fu, starring basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, there was a period of time in gaming when popular corporations and brands liked to use video games as a way to advertise to players. However, there aren't many of these games that come close to the strangeness of Pepsiman. With his chrome body and his featureless face, except for a gaping mouth, and a Pepsi emblem branded to his chest, Pepsiman made his way into video games as the strange humanoid billboard for the soda company.
A Reddit user posted a picture on the r/gaming subreddit of a vintage, unopened action figure of the soda mascot. The figurine's packaging contains Pepsiman, of course, but also holds a snowboard kit and a tiny can of Pepsi to quench his thirst while on the slopes. His featureless face can be seen front and center on the packaging while the snowboard kit within the figure's casing includes a snowboard, snow boots, and even a crutch. Although the old packaging makes the character appear forgotten, Pepsiman still has a cult following.
Pepsiman is just one of the many creative advertisements that have come to gaming. Despite the strange, and somewhat unsettling, nature of his appearance, his look is part of the reason he's gained such a cult following among a few gamers. To some, he's a nostalgic reminder of the 90s and their childhood, while being a fun new discovery for others.
Some can't help but feel nostalgic when seeing iconic characters like Pepsiman. The mascot's heavy nostalgia-factor has even led a fan to bring Pepsiman into modern gaming. Although these types of characters and games are clearly advertising gimmicks, there is still a unique charm that they carry through the years. Whether it's for the fun childhood memories or just a quick laugh, characters like Pepsiman serve as a perfect reminder for a very specific time in gaming history.
Lauren Beeler-Beistad is a writer and musician based in Nashville, TN under LB Beistad. Her love of gaming began with her cousin introducing her to Banjo Kazooie and Jak and Daxter. It was love at first play. Since then she has grown a love specifically for narrative driven games and platformers.
