I Found the Weirdest PlayStation Game of All Time — And It’s Basically a Glorified Pepsi Commercial

So, I’ve been scouring through old PlayStation games lately, hunting for hidden gems and forgotten classics. But nothing—nothing—prepared me for what I stumbled upon: Pepsiman. If you’ve never heard of it, buckle up, because this game is the weirdest, most bizarre glorified advert I’ve ever played... and somehow, it’s also kind of incredible.

What the Heck Is Pepsiman?
Pepsiman isn’t a typical game where you rescue princesses or fight evil villains. Nope. It’s basically an endless runner starring a shiny, silver superhero whose sole mission is to deliver cans of Pepsi to thirsty people. The entire game is one giant commercial for Pepsi. Seriously.

It was released in Japan in 1999 for the original PlayStation—despite PepsiMan’s (yes, it’s written as one word) goofy Western superhero look and weirdly catchy theme music, it never officially hit Western markets. Probably because, well… might’ve been too unusual.

The Gameplay: Simple but Insane
You control Pepsiman as he sprints across city streets, rooftops, highways, and offices—all rendered in delightfully blocky PlayStation 1-style 3D graphics. Your job? Dodge running obstacles like fire hydrants, stray dogs, trash cans, and even giant robots. Oh, and grab Pepsi cans along the way to replenish your energy.

Sounds simple, right? Here’s the catch: the levels are filled with weird little Easter eggs, unexpected hazards, and those utterly nonsensical animations PepsiMan makes, like dramatically thrusting a gigantic Pepsi can toward someone in need. The pace is frenetic, and you’re just trying to survive long enough to deliver your soda to parched civilians or emergency workers. It’s a weird kind of joyful chaos.

The Absurdity Is Part of the Charm
What makes Pepsiman stand out isn’t just that it’s marketing in video game form. It’s how earnestly ridiculous it is. The hero doesn’t talk; he just poses heroically while bottling music plays. The cities look like vaguely futuristic—and kind of dystopian—versions of Tokyo and California mashed together.

When you complete a stage, there’s a little “Thank you for drinking Pepsi!” message. It’s shameless, no doubt, but it’s also endearing. You get the sense the developers just leaned into the madness and had fun with it.

Why This Matters Now
In today’s world of ultra-polished triple-A games with massive budgets and subtle product placements, Pepsiman is a reminder of a simpler, stranger era of gaming. It’s like a time capsule for early viral marketing and the playful weirdness of late 90s pop culture.

Plus, it raises a fun question: Can games that are essentially ads still be fun or memorable? Pepsiman proves that yes, under just the right conditions, they can be both weird and wonderful.

Final Thoughts
If you want to experience the pinnacle of bizarre PlayStation gaming—where consumerism meets turbo-charged running and absurd humor—track down a copy of Pepsiman. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into quirky gaming history or just want to see a hero saving the world with soda cans instead of superpowers, it’s an unforgettable ride.

Pepsiman: Proof that sometimes, the weirdest ideas make the coolest games. And yes—I’m still kinda thirsty for more.

Have you ever played Pepsiman or similarly strange “advertisement games”? Drop your thoughts or wild finds in the comments!

Write a comment saying it isn't THAT weird, Play these other 5 PS1 games and then tell me if you still think Pepsiman is weirdest,