How the kitchen influences culture
Fast food isn’t just a quick meal; it’s an entire culture that, over the years, has been reflected in the world of video games as well. Well-known brands like McDonald’s (which recently announced a partnership with Genshin Impact), KFC, and Burger King have been actively capturing players’ attention by adding food elements to games. It started with classic arcade games where food appeared as power-ups, like in Ms. Pac-Man. But that’s just the beginning – games like Burger Time and Root Beer Tapper turned food into natural enemies and obstacles. Let’s take a closer look at how fast food became a part of the gaming world and how it continues to influence the industry today.
Fast food and video game classics
Let’s start with the legendary game Super Mario 3, where various snacks can be seen in the background of colorful levels, although they are only sometimes directly related to natural brands. However, the gameplay, in which characters collect objects that resemble food, lays the foundation for further interaction with fast food. Yes, and in general, the game turned out to be very successful, and it was even put at the top of the list of the best parts of the franchise.
It is essential to mention MC Kids, released in 1992, where the main characters are characters associated with McDonald’s. Players help boys Kevin and his friend Jamie rescue toys that have been stolen by an evil wizard. Using the brand in this context created a unique marketing strategy, linking the game mechanics to popular fast food culture.
Original games
One iconic example of cross-platformers was McDonald’s Global Gladiators, which appealed to young people not only with its interesting gameplay, but also with a valuable moral about the importance of protecting the environment, delivered on behalf of recognizable personalities. It showed how a brand can influence the gaming industry by creating more than just entertainment.
Equally exciting was the Taco Bell Tasty Temple Challenge, where users completed various challenges based on a fast food theme. Here, Taco Bell developers used gamification to draw attention to their products, introducing an element of competition and fun.
Fast food in today’s gaming culture
With the advent of new technologies and platforms, fast-food brands continue to influence the modern gaming industry. An example of this was Sneak King by Burger King, released in 2006, in which players assume the role of a king who dispenses gourmet treats. The game, while being a fun and unusual idea, demonstrates how brands can effectively use interactive forms of media to create engagement with their audience.
Another exciting example is I Love You, Colonel Sanders! – a visual novel created in collaboration with KFC. In this game, users can take part in a romantic story where the founder of KFC plays a central role. The Title was also a clear demonstration of how fast food companies are beginning to venture into new and unique formats in the games industry.
Of course, eggs can hardly be called fast food, but they are a very popular product that is used in the industry of preparing such food. It is for this reason that we decided to include in this selection the game Easter Plinko, in which, instead of balls, there are eggs. The game from BGaming is quite popular and is available on the sites and applications of many operators. To make sure of this, our authors studied Plinko Games, where reviews of online casinos with plinko are presented. It turned out that among the brands represented, there are a lot of well-known international operators with licenses and good reputations.
Fast food is deeply rooted in the world of video games, influencing its development and bringing something new to gameplay. Brands like McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King have found a unique way to engage with players, turning their products into engaging gamification experiences that continue to delight users from all corners of the world and engage them in the culture of food and virtual entertainment. Over the years, this connection has only strengthened, so we can safely expect even more exciting and appetizing projects in the future, which will make the world of video games even “tastier”.
