Would you like an Xbox title with that? Although not your typical idea of a kids’ meal toy – I remember kitschy junk like windup Hot Wheels and two-bit action figures – video games are now entering the fast food lineup. Burger King is jumping on the chance to hock its own games by offering three titles for $3.99 each, with the purchase of a value meal.
Like gooey mayo running down the side of an oh-so-healthy Whopper, the possibility that Burger King would launch such a gaming campaign was leaked earlier this year. Three titles have officially been announced in recent days, and each gives the player the opportunity to do something they’ve always wanted to:
Experience everyday life as the BK mascot.
That’s right, the first of the three titles is Pocketbike Racer, which will feature a few of the burger chain’s notable figures, including the aforementioned King, the Subservient Chicken, the Whopper Jr., and – how out of place is this? – Wild On! host Brooke Burke. Um, ok. Three goofy mascots and a total hottie. Makes sense.
Big Bumpin’ is the second title in the line, and pretty much offers all of the above. Instead of racing pocketbikes, users will rock each other’s worlds in bumper cars. It’s still unclear how this could actually be made into a sensible game, but hey, it's $4.
Last but certainly not least is Sneak King, which is basically Splinter Cell set in the Burger King universe. The idea literally has me chuckling as I type this, as I honestly never considered the King to be a deadly spy operating under the cover of darkness. Well, he won’t really, as the player will mostly be sneaking up on hungry characters in order to surprise them with delicious Burger King chow. Here, be fat!
The titles will all be playable on both the original Xbox and Xbox 360, and the first two, Pocketbike Racer and Big Bumpin’, will feature fully supported Live functionality. Much to my surprise, it appears Pocketbike will allow for eight players online, with Big Bumpin’ offering four players the chance to knock each other around.
A few questions are left to ponder. Is this the sign that games have officially reached the mainstream (if they haven’t already)? If so, is this to be celebrated? One thing is for sure, if games are going to move onwards and upwards in the media domain, it certainly isn’t a good idea to be doing it hand-in-hand with a fast food chain. That’s not the reputation video games – which are already attacked for violent content – need at this point.
All of the games are rated E for Everybody. I can’t say the same for BK’s food.
