Leveling Up With Logos
Have you ever paused mid-game to wonder, "Wait… am I being sold something right now?" That's the fun and occasional absurdity of corporate-branded games created primarily to promote a company or product. Sometimes, they're blatant ads you can control; other times, they're genuinely good games that just happen to feature a familiar logo. Either way, they show us the relationship between marketing and gaming culture. Let's explore 20 titles that put brands at the heart of the action.
burger king's xbox 360 games by Poofesure
1. Chex Quest: Chex Cereal
In the late '90s, kids opening a box of Chex cereal could find more than breakfast—they got a full video game. Released in 1997, Chex Quest was a reworked version of the popular shooter Doom, replacing guns with "zorchers" and alien slime monsters called "Flemoids."
Chex Quest HD - 1st playthrough no commentary only gameplay in 4K by HOMEBASE
2. Sneak King: Burger King
Released in 2006, Sneak King put players in the oversized crown of Burger King's mascot, sneaking up on unsuspecting people to deliver burgers. Priced at $3.99 with value meals, the odd pairing of stealth mechanics and fast-food marketing sold over two million copies within weeks.
Sneak King Xbox 360 Gameplay [No Commentary] by Completionator
3. Cool Spot: 7UP
The red dot from the 7UP logo became the unlikely hero of a 1993 platform title called Cool Spot. Gamers jumped and collected items across bright, animated beach and pier levels while enjoying an upbeat soundtrack.
Cool Spot Longplay (Sega Genesis) [QHD] [100% Cool] by AL82 Retrogaming Longplays
4. Pepsi Man: Pepsi
Japan got a truly unusual Pepsi mascot in 1999. In Pepsi Man, participants controlled a silver-suited superhero who ran through obstacle courses to deliver cans of soda. Between stages, you’d see live-action Pepsi commercials.
Pepsiman: The Running Hero 100% PSX Gameplay - No Commentary by Keyz0
5. Doritos Crash Course: Doritos
In 2010, Doritos released a free game for Xbox Live Arcade called Doritos Crash Course. Styled like a TV obstacle-course show, it had players race through wild platforming challenges filled with traps and jumps. It racked up over 1.4 million downloads, proving a snack brand could pull off a legitimately addictive game.
Xbox 360 Longplay [063] Doritos Crash Course by World of Longplays
6. Chester Cheetah: Too Cool To Fool: Cheetos
Cheetos' sunglass-wearing character, Chester Cheetah, headlined a colorful side-scrolling title for the Sega Genesis and SNES in 1992. The game centered on recovering his stolen scooter. While the controls were clunky, its bold visuals and cheeky charm aligned perfectly with Frito-Lay's push to brand Chester as a pop-culture "cool cat."
[TAS] SNES Chester Cheetah: Too Cool to Fool by dekutony in 11:05.85 by TASVideosChannel
7. Magnum Pleasure Hunt: Magnum Ice Cream
Magnum launched Pleasure Hunt in 2011 as a browser-based platformer. Players guided a woman across branded websites to collect chocolate bonbons. The campaign won multiple digital marketing awards and spawned sequels, making it one of the most successful advergames of its time.
8. Yo! Noid: Domino's Pizza
The mischievous Noid, Domino's late '80s brand character, got his own Nintendo game in 1990. Yo! Noid had him using a yo-yo to battle enemies across New York City and even compete in pizza-eating contests. It's a snapshot of a time when company figureheads were Saturday morning commercial stars.
Yo! Noid (NES) Playthrough by NintendoComplete
9. The Scarecrow: Chipotle
Chipotle's 2013 mobile title took a serious approach to marketing. Individuals worked to dismantle a grim, factory-farm food system while promoting sustainable farming—a reflection of the brand's real-world mission. Paired with an Emmy-winning short film, it briefly ranked in the App Store's top 100 downloads.
Chipotle Scarecrow - iPhone & iPad Gameplay Video by iGamesView
10. M.C. Kids: McDonald's
Released in 1992 for the NES, M.C. Kids followed two young characters on a quest to help Ronald McDonald by collecting puzzle cards. The gaming title was packed with creative level designs and physics-based challenges, giving it surprising depth for something aimed at children.
M.C. Kids (NES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete by NintendoComplete
11. Kool-Aid Man: Kool-Aid
In 1983, fans of the Kool-Aid Man could send in proofs of purchase to receive a video game for their Atari or Intellivision. In it, the big red pitcher shouted his famous “Oh Yeah!” while stopping cartoon “Thirsties” from stealing water. It’s simple but remains a quirky collector’s piece.
Kool-Aid Man - Atari 2600 by Conga Line Monkey
12. Tooth Protectors: Johnson & Johnson
Another mail-in promotion from 1983, Tooth Protectors let players defend teeth from snack attacks using toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash. Only available to those who bought Johnson & Johnson dental products, it’s now one of the rarest Atari games ever made.
Tooth Protectors Atari 2600 Review The No Swear Gamer Ep 784 by The No Swear Gamer
13. Twist, Lick, Dunk: Oreo
Oreo turned its classic cookie ritual into a game in 2012. Twist, Lick, Dunk challenged individuals to dunk digital cookies in timed competitions on web browsers and mobile devices. With over five million downloads in its first year, it was a sweet hit for the brand.
OREO: Twist, Lick, Dunk - Universal - HD Gameplay Trailer by TouchGameplay
14. Santa Tracker: Google
Google's Santa Tracker became a yearly holiday tradition in 2004. The online hub allows users to follow Santa's journey across the globe and explore educational activities. Schools have even used it to teach geography and coding during the festive season.
Google Santa Tracker - Where's Santa? by Google Maps
15. Spot The Difference: Barry Callebaut
In 2023, Barry Callebaut's premium Mona Lisa chocolate brand launched a Spot the Difference title embedded in ads and newsletters. Players compared chocolate-themed images, and winners received free samples. It cleverly blended product trial with playful interaction.
Barry Callebaut at Sweets & Snacks Expo 2017, Barry Callebaut Group
16. IKEA VR Experience: IKEA
IKEA gave customers a chance to explore homes and spaces in this 2016 virtual reality adventure. Using an HTC Vive headset, IKEA VR Experience lets users open cabinets, adjust counter heights, and interact with appliances.
IKEA VR Experience - GAMEPLAY Overview by Polygon
17. Netflix x The New Yorker Crossword: Netflix
Netflix teamed up with The New Yorker to create crosswords inspired by its TV shows. Each puzzle contained clues related to characters and plotlines, which revealed exclusive content once solved. The collaboration was a creative way to promote a new series.
The New Yorker Crossword 18/03/2025 by Lucyverbalist
18. Louis: The Game: Louis Vuitton
This one follows Vivienne, Louis Vuitton’s mascot, across fantasy worlds to collect 200 birthday candles. Each unlocks stories from the brand's 200-year history. Released in 2021, the mobile game blends luxury storytelling with interactive play and even includes collectible NFTs.
Louis the game App by Check It Out
19. Super Wendy’s World: Wendy’s
In 2018, Wendy’s entered the video game space through Fortnite’s Creative Mode with Super Wendy’s World. Millions watched the stunt on Twitch, and it even won major marketing awards such as the D&AD Pencil Award in 2021.
Super Wendy's World, PRovoke Media
20. Pringles x Train Simulator: Pringles
This 2021 collaboration with Train Simulator had people transport oversized Pringles cans along scenic virtual routes. Part of the “Play with Flavor” campaign, it drew attention for its playful absurdity and became a hit with livestreamers.
Guy trys getting pringles but CSX train is in the wrong place!!, TheCSXRailfanner
