Trivia Browser
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Concept art for the 2001 build of the cancelled Foodfight! game developed by Midway Games West was released on artist Jason Leong's website, showing a set of character concepts and game scenarios with various fictional and real-life product mascots. The character concepts shown include:• The red, yellow, and blue M&M's carrying vitamin supplement boxes with muscular hammer-wielding arms coming out of them.
• The Keebler Elves firing bows and arrows with flaming Tootsie Pops.
• A team-up of the Green Giant, a muscular version of Poppin' Fresh the Pillsbury Doughboy, and a jacket-wearing Kool-Aid Man.
• Mr. Clean commanding an army of Scrubbing Bubbles.
• Cap'n Crunch shooting a bazooka made out of a Pringles can.
• Hawaiian Punch's mascot Punchy punching a soup can made by Brand X, a fictional brand from the movie.
The game scenarios seem to feature various mini-games among main game missions, including:
• An early human version of Dex Dogtective swinging with a grappling hook, finding shortcuts between products, being launched from Hamburger Helper's mascot Lefty in platforming sections.
• What appears to be a mini-game where Dex and a Brand X mascot would bump into one another on shopping trolleys.
• A mission where fictional mascot Daredevil Dan flies above the supermarket in his plane.
• The Green Giant rolling over tiny Brand X bots with either a barrel or a mango bowling ball. This mini-game has two pieces of concept art, one that presents it as akin to the game Tempest and another that shows the Green Giant stepping on robots.
• Dex commanding the M&M's in a shooting mini-game.
• A platforming mini-game with Cap'n Crunch jumping off of barrels.
• A mini-game where fictional mascot Polar Penguin must destroy pillars on the ice.
• A cow-herding mini-game featuring Twinkie the Kid.
• A food-fighting mini-game, like the climax of the movie, specifically themed around Chef Boyardee.
• A mini-game where Dex throws Lucky Charms at Brand X drones.
Of the licensed characters featured in this concept art, only Mr. Clean, Punchy, Chef Boyardee, and Twinkie the Kid would appear in the film when it eventually released in 2012.
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In a pre-release gameplay video from 2018, at the end of a tour of the Home Base, a lit sign featuring the logo for the pizza restaurant chain Domino's can be seen hanging on a wall near the refrigerator. This sign would be removed in the final game, but within the game's files are several voice lines spoken by the game's main cast (Coco, Davis, Eva, Io, Jack, Louis, Mia, Rin and Yakumo) talking about eating freshly delivered pizza in an unusually glorifying manner without mentioning the company by name. It's unclear how these voice clips would have been used in the game, but when taken with the unused Domino's sign, it's believed that this was all part of a planned promotional tie-in that fell through when the game was delayed to 2019, where Domino's would have somehow survived the apocalypse in the game's story and adapted to the Revenants and the Lost.
Code Vein - Domino's voice lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNnNoC32N1k
Code Vein - Home Base early gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGhVIQShNz0
The Cutting Room Floor article:
https://tcrf.net/Code_Vein#Domino.27s_Pizza_Promotion_Leftovers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNnNoC32N1k
Code Vein - Home Base early gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGhVIQShNz0
The Cutting Room Floor article:
https://tcrf.net/Code_Vein#Domino.27s_Pizza_Promotion_Leftovers
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In 2021, as part of a collaboration with the children's yogurt brand Danimals, Sonic Dash added brand mascot Bongo to the game as a playable character, unlocked by scanning a QR code on the back of Sonic Dash-branded Danimals products to download the game. This method could also be used to unlock the "Pirate Sonic" and "Captain Shadow" character variants, which could be earned by collecting all four birthday-themed items on the track, including a Danimals smoothie pack.
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The origami cranes scattered across the games feature a jumbled QR Code pattern that when put together links to the Japanese microsites for Another Code and Another Code: R.
Origami cranes in the games:
https://wccftech.com/how-to/another-code-recollection-guide-how-to-find-14-two-memories-origami-messages/
https://wccftech.com/how-to/another-code-recollection-guide-how-to-find-another-code-r-origami-messages/
Tweet detailing the discovery:
https://twitter.com/Adr0t/status/1765119007584039105
Another Code microsite:
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/anoj/index.html
Another Code: R microsite:
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rnoj/index.html
Method:
- Look up the file "ditem_PaperCrane" inside Textures2D of the game's data.
- Stitch the texture together into one complete QR Code if necessary.
- Scan it with any QR Code decoder like the one used in smartphones. Resize if necessary.
- QR Code should display the following: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/anoj/index.htmlhttps://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rnoj/index.html
The code can be recreated by inputting these URLs exactly as they are shown above into the following Japanese QR Code generator:
https://qr.quel.jp/
https://wccftech.com/how-to/another-code-recollection-guide-how-to-find-14-two-memories-origami-messages/
https://wccftech.com/how-to/another-code-recollection-guide-how-to-find-another-code-r-origami-messages/
Tweet detailing the discovery:
https://twitter.com/Adr0t/status/1765119007584039105
Another Code microsite:
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/anoj/index.html
Another Code: R microsite:
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rnoj/index.html
Method:
- Look up the file "ditem_PaperCrane" inside Textures2D of the game's data.
- Stitch the texture together into one complete QR Code if necessary.
- Scan it with any QR Code decoder like the one used in smartphones. Resize if necessary.
- QR Code should display the following: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/anoj/index.htmlhttps://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rnoj/index.html
The code can be recreated by inputting these URLs exactly as they are shown above into the following Japanese QR Code generator:
https://qr.quel.jp/
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One of the developers of Yo! Noid 2 also worked on STRAFE, a game featuring Totino's product placement. Through these food industry connections, said developer managed to contact Domino's Pizza and almost pitched the idea of having some kind of official collaboration. The developers ultimately did not go forward with, as the game's developers didn't feel they had enough energy to go through the hassle of making a pitch document. Despite the pitch not being made, the developers did compile a video of streamers talking about how the game made them hungry for Domino's for the purpose of the pitch.
subdirectory_arrow_right M&M's (Franchise)
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Darkened Skye came about as a result of Simon & Schuster Interactive attempting to acquire the M&M's license for use in gaming, due to the popularity of the Spokescandy mascots. Skittles was simply a back-up option in case the M&M's deal fell through, but both licenses were acquired. While Dale DeSharone, one of the game's executive producers, believed it should have been aimed at a younger child audience, Mars wanted to attract an audience of people in their 20s, because that demographic did not buy Skittles as much as people in their 30s and older, though they were also adamant that the game couldn't be violent. The game's aesthetic was inspired by a series of late-1990s high fantasy Skittles commercials.
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Darkened Skye almost had its Skittles branding pulled late in development. Ultimately the product placement was retained, but not featured on the box.
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According to an unused file in Treasure Master, the game was originally going to have a Pizza Hut sponsorship alongside or before the MTV sponsorship.
subdirectory_arrow_right Sony Computer Entertainment (Company)
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In the "Funny Love" cutscene before the final level of PaRappa the Rapper, Club Fun is situated next to a radio repair shop that has official Sony certification, marking one of the rare instances where a non-entertainment branch of Sony has been referenced in a PlayStation title.
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There exists 3 versions of Tapper•The original version with Budweiser branding
•The censored "Root Beer Tapper" version, which swaps beer for root beer and changes Tapper from a bartender to a soda jerk
•The Japanese release that replaces Budweiser with Japanese alcohol brand Suntory
The Suntory version of the game also carries over minor graphical improvements from the Root Beer version of the game.
subdirectory_arrow_right 7 Up (Franchise)
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In 1982, 7 Up licensed out Pac-Man for a commercial, depicting the game's yellow hero turning red like the 7 Up spot and consuming both 7 Up and its lemon and lime ingredients after being made thirsty by pizza. Mistakenly, the opening of the commercial depicts Pinky (or Speedy) as being orange and, as a result, identical to Clyde, as well as Pac-Man being misnamed "Pacman"; while the ending of the commercial shows Inky, two Blinkies, and a green ghost resembling Funky from Pac-Mania, which would not be released for another 5 years.
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Alex Kidd: High-Tech World revolves around Alex going to a new Sega arcade called "High-Tech World", which seems to be a strange and arguably counter-intuitive product placement for Sega's Hi-Tech Land arcades that only existed in Japan and have a slightly different name from the one given in the game. The game was originally released in Japan as Anmitsu Hime, and revolved around finding a cake shop instead of an arcade, meaning that the audience that could actually have a Hi-Tech Land in close proximity would not be able to play the game under normal means.
The Sega Retro article for Hi-Tech Land (https://segaretro.org/Hi-Tech_Land_Sega) claims the name to have originated after High Tech World's release in 1989, but the wiki itself has two contradicting pieces of evidence:
1990 flyer showing a listing for a Hi-Tech Land arcade that opened in 1978 (page 5):
https://segaretro.org/images/9/9b/SegaEnJoint_JP_Flyer.pdf
A photograph of a Hi-Tech Land in Sapporo, Japan, dated to 1987, with the name visible:
https://segaretro.org/File:HiTechLandSega_Japan_Kotoni_1987.jpg
Longplay of Alex Kidd: High-Tech World:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDMNEBv-4Hw
Longplay of Anmitsu Hime:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13UH4tUFZ38
1990 flyer showing a listing for a Hi-Tech Land arcade that opened in 1978 (page 5):
https://segaretro.org/images/9/9b/SegaEnJoint_JP_Flyer.pdf
A photograph of a Hi-Tech Land in Sapporo, Japan, dated to 1987, with the name visible:
https://segaretro.org/File:HiTechLandSega_Japan_Kotoni_1987.jpg
Longplay of Alex Kidd: High-Tech World:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDMNEBv-4Hw
Longplay of Anmitsu Hime:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13UH4tUFZ38
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The European version of Biker Mice from Mars has a sponsorship with Mars, Inc. promoting Snickers. This product placement is to a much greater extent than most other product placements in games not specifically themed around brands. Alongside the standard in-map advertising, all character portraits have been redrawn to show characters eating Snickers, Snickers replaces bike armor as a stat customization option, the invincibility power up was changed from a Mario Kart-style star to Snickers, and a Street Fighter II-style quote screen has been added before the results screen with a homogenized Snickers-themed quote shared between all characters:"Even winners need something to satisfy their hunger!"
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Vib-Ribbon was conceived after Mercedes-Benz contacted Sony to make a game to market their A-Class car to a younger audience. After the A-Class car failed the elk test, the game was redesigned with a new character in place of the car.
Franchise: Yakuza: Like a Dragon
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Starting from Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, most games in the Yakuza franchise have featured destructible environmental objects, even extending to stores and businesses. However, real-life businesses like Yoshinoya that were put into the series have never been able to be destroyed in-game even when fictional stores are breakable. You also cannot enter a real-life store when in combat, and any aggroed enemies that chase after you will suddenly no longer want to fight you should you enter a real-life store in the game.
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The subway train level of Wally Bear and the NO! Gang contains advertisements for Shockwave and Crossbow, two other unlicensed games by American Game Cartridges - it should be noted that Crossbow's NES version was never released.
Ads in Wally Bear and the NO! Gang:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK-ACYckafQ#t=172
Crossbow cancelled:
https://www.vault1541.com/2017/03/gaming-ads-american-game-cartridges.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK-ACYckafQ#t=172
Crossbow cancelled:
https://www.vault1541.com/2017/03/gaming-ads-american-game-cartridges.html
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In the Japanese and original European versions of Dog's Life, there is product placement for Pedigree dog food. In the US, this was swapped for a fictional brand, Chow Chow.
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Neopets' former CEO Dough Dohring was an avid Scientologist, and used L. Ron Hubbard's "Org Board" method for running the business. Neopets founders Adam and Donna Powell were unaware of Dohring's ties to the cult when signing on to allow him to run the company, and it supposedly did not affect the inner workings of the company, though most of the employees were Scientologists and Dohring would often propose implementing Scientology education into the website. Williams would claim of the ownership in a 2014 Reddit AMA:
Dohring would leave Neopets after it was acquired by Viacom in 2005.
"Yes. Although we were not aware of it at first as we were totally naive.
Basically the first group of investors (who were the guys that had spare office space in Glendale as their automotive firm was being downsized) were scientologists.
When we realised it was a bit of a shock. Somewhat awkward moment when you realise you started the biggest entertainment site visited by millions of children and teens, but the upper management you just signed the company over to are part of some weird religion that is banned in some countries...
The company was structured like a scientology org. It didnt really change anything that I noticed apart from some odd test that interviewees had to take consisting of questions like which straight line seemed friendlier and stuff like that. We also had a lot of obscure celebrities coming round the office for tours.
At one time there was some talk about putting scientology education on the site, but we killed that idea pretty sharpish.
Adam and I made sure that it never made its way onto anything site related. Religion and politics were two big no nos for us as far as site content went. Can't say the discussions we had to keep it that way were much fun though!"
Basically the first group of investors (who were the guys that had spare office space in Glendale as their automotive firm was being downsized) were scientologists.
When we realised it was a bit of a shock. Somewhat awkward moment when you realise you started the biggest entertainment site visited by millions of children and teens, but the upper management you just signed the company over to are part of some weird religion that is banned in some countries...
The company was structured like a scientology org. It didnt really change anything that I noticed apart from some odd test that interviewees had to take consisting of questions like which straight line seemed friendlier and stuff like that. We also had a lot of obscure celebrities coming round the office for tours.
At one time there was some talk about putting scientology education on the site, but we killed that idea pretty sharpish.
Adam and I made sure that it never made its way onto anything site related. Religion and politics were two big no nos for us as far as site content went. Can't say the discussions we had to keep it that way were much fun though!"
Dohring would leave Neopets after it was acquired by Viacom in 2005.
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Superfrog was originally going to gain powers from drinking Newcastle Brown Ale, but this was changed to Lucozade in the final release.
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While the game's colorful toy cast is mostly comprised of fictional properties, two real, Bandai-owned toy series make a cameo appearance within the game. These two toys are a Tamagotchi digital pet and a Primopuel doll respectively. Both are initially found inside hidden treasure chests and can later be interacted with by Chibi-Robo.
User guides:
https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/24/chibi-robo-walkthrough-691030 (Section 6B)
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gamecube/583171-chibi-robo/faqs/51349 (Sections 6P & 6Q)
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2pZENySM_8?t=785
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjUS5K24ftI?t=2233
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srsSUvgod-s?t=28627
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srsSUvgod-s?t=27688
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGDhu-bll_0?t=27273
https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/24/chibi-robo-walkthrough-691030 (Section 6B)
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gamecube/583171-chibi-robo/faqs/51349 (Sections 6P & 6Q)
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2pZENySM_8?t=785
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjUS5K24ftI?t=2233
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srsSUvgod-s?t=28627
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srsSUvgod-s?t=27688
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGDhu-bll_0?t=27273
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