Top 20 Video Games That Are Basically Just Ads

Video games have long served as a unique medium for brand marketing through a practice known as advergaming. Companies commission developers to create interactive experiences that feature their mascots or products as central gameplay elements. These titles range from simple promotional tools to fully fleshed out platformers that stand on their own merits. The history of this genre spans decades and includes everything from fast food mascots to soft drink entities saving the world. The following list explores twenty titles that blurred the line between commercial advertising and interactive entertainment.

‘M&M’s Kart Racing’ (2007)

This racing title features the famous candy mascots driving vehicles through various themed tracks. Players choose from characters like Red or Yellow and compete in tournaments to unlock accessories. The gameplay involves collecting chocolate coins while navigating hazards on the course. It was released on the Nintendo Wii and DS as a budget title for casual gamers.

‘Yaris’ (2007)

Toyota released this vehicular combat game for free on the Xbox Live Arcade to promote their Yaris subcompact car. Players control the vehicle through futuristic tunnels while battling enemies with a mechanic called the mechanoid arm. The visual style utilizes cell shading to give the car and environments a distinct look. Gamers could upgrade the car with weapon enhancements as they progressed through different levels.

‘Tooth Protectors’ (1983)

Johnson & Johnson commissioned this rare title for the Atari 2600 to promote dental hygiene. Players control a character holding a shield who must deflect falling food items to protect a row of white teeth. The antagonist is the Decay Invader who attempts to cause cavities if the snacks reach the bottom of the screen. Successful players are rewarded with an occasional cleaning by a toothbrush and dental floss to restore health.

‘Chase the Chuck Wagon’ (1983)

Purina created this game as a promotional item that customers could obtain by mailing in proofs of purchase from dog food bags. The gameplay involves guiding a dog through a series of mazes to reach a chuck wagon before time runs out. Players must avoid flying objects and other obstacles that impede the dog’s movement. It remains one of the earliest examples of a mail-in exclusive video game cartridge.

‘Kool-Aid Man’ (1983)

The giant pitcher mascot stars in this title released for the Atari 2600 and Intellivision systems. Players control the character as he attempts to quench the thirst of several entities known as Thirsties. The gameplay requires maneuvering through a pool of water to neutralize the enemies before they drink all the water. Hitting walls allows the mascot to burst through them in his signature fashion.

‘Big Bumpin\” (2006)

Burger King released a trio of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 including this bumper car simulator. Players choose from familiar advertising characters like the Subservient Chicken and the King himself. The game features multiple arenas with hazards such as saw blades and bottomless pits. It supports both local multiplayer and online play for up to four participants.

‘Pocketbike Racer’ (2006)

This racing game was another entry in the Burger King promotional trilogy available for a low price with a value meal. Contestants race on miniature motorcycles across tracks located in parking lots and construction sites. The physics emphasize the small size of the vehicles relative to the riders. Players can perform tricks to gain boost and speed advantages during the competition.

‘World Gone Sour’ (2011)

Capcom developed this platformer based on the Sour Patch Kids candy brand. The story follows a lost piece of candy that must navigate the human world to reach the stomach of a person. Narrated by rapper Method Man the game features a mix of puzzle solving and jumping challenges. The protagonist can grow or shrink to overcome various environmental obstacles found in movie theaters and kitchen counters.

‘I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator’ (2019)

KFC commissioned this visual novel that places the player in a culinary school alongside a young Colonel Sanders. The gameplay follows standard dating simulator tropes including dialogue choices and relationship building. Interactions revolve around cooking battles and secret recipes within an anime aesthetic. The narrative treats the fast food icon as a romantic interest while heavily featuring the brand’s fried chicken.

‘Zool’ (1992)

Gremlin Graphics produced this fast-paced platformer that heavily featured Chupa Chups branding in its backgrounds and intros. The protagonist is a ninja gremlin from the Nth dimension who must traverse various themed lands. The Sweet World levels are particularly notable for their candy landscapes and logo placement. It gained a reputation for high speed gameplay that rivaled other major platformers of the era.

‘Darkened Skye’ (2002)

This fantasy action adventure game integrates Skittles candy into its magic system in a subtle manner. The protagonist Skye uses the colorful candies to cast spells with different effects based on their color. The narrative is a fully voiced fantasy epic that barely mentions the brand by name despite the mechanics relying on the product. Developers hid the marketing connection well enough that many players did not initially realize it was an advergame.

‘Mick & Mack as the Global Gladiators’ (1992)

McDonalds licensed this platformer that focuses on an environmental message rather than selling food. The two protagonists travel through worlds like Slime World and Mystical Forest to defeat pollution monsters. The Golden Arches logo appears in the background and serves as the exit point for levels. Virgin Games developed the title using the same engine found in other high quality Sega Genesis releases.

‘Yo! Noid’ (1990)

Capcom localized a Japanese game called Kamen no Ninja Hanamaru by replacing the main character with the Domino’s Pizza mascot. The Noid uses a yo-yo weapon to defeat enemies while platforming through New York City. Levels conclude with pizza eating contests that require card based strategy to win. The game served as a major promotion for the pizza chain during the height of the character’s popularity.

‘Chester Cheetah: Too Cool to Fool’ (1992)

The Cheetos mascot stars in this side scrolling adventure released on the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Chester searches for parts of his motorcycle while avoiding a zookeeper named Mean Eugene. Players can dash and jump on enemies to defeat them while collecting paw print icons. The game captures the relaxed attitude associated with the snack brand’s marketing campaigns.

‘Doritos Crash Course’ (2010)

This platforming game uses Xbox Avatars to run through large obstacle courses inspired by television game shows. Players must time their jumps and ducks to avoid hammers and water pits. The title was released for free and became highly downloaded due to its accessible mechanics. It received updates and downloadable content that added new levels and challenges.

‘Sneak King’ (2006)

This stealth game challenges players to surprise hungry citizens with breakfast sandwiches and burgers. The King mascot must hide in trash cans and behind corners to deliver food without being detected. A detection meter alerts the player if their target becomes too aware of their presence. Successful deliveries result in the character performing an elaborate dance animation.

‘M.C. Kids’ (1992)

Virgin Games created this NES platformer featuring two children who travel into the fantasy world of McDonaldland. The gameplay involves collecting magic cards to find the Hamburglar who stole Ronald McDonald’s magic bag. It features a unique mechanic where the gravity shifts and allows players to walk on ceilings. The game is often cited for its solid design despite the heavy fast food branding.

‘Cool Spot’ (1993)

The red dot from the 7 Up logo gained limbs and sunglasses to star in this popular platformer. Players explore oversized environments like beaches and toy rooms to rescue other spots trapped in cages. The character fires soda bubbles as projectiles to defeat various enemies. The animation was praised for its fluidity and the game won several awards upon release.

‘Chex Quest’ (1996)

General Mills included this first person shooter on a CD-ROM inside boxes of Chex cereal. It functions as a total conversion modification of the Doom engine but replaces demons with green slime monsters called Flemoids. Players use a device called a Zorcher to teleport enemies back to their home dimension rather than killing them. The game developed a dedicated cult following that persists decades later.

‘Pepsiman’ (1999)

This running game features the metallic mascot of the Pepsi corporation sprinting through urban environments. The character automatically runs forward while the player controls dodging sliding and jumping to avoid obstacles. Giant aluminum cans and delivery trucks serve as hazards throughout the stages. The game was originally exclusive to Japan on the PlayStation but gained international fame for its bizarre humor and premise.

Tell us which of these commercial classics you remember playing by leaving a note in the comments.