Soda Popinski

Soda Popinski is a recurring character in the Punch-Out!! series, and is usually one of the stronger opponents Little Mac faces in the games he appears in. When he debuted in the Arcade version of Super Punch-Out!!, he was known as Vodka Drunkenski, a reference to the stereotype of Russians being heavy drinkers and particularly loving vodka. In later appearances, he was renamed to Soda Popinski and, as such, drinks soda instead of alcoholic beverages, though he still makes drunken references.
As his name suggests, Soda Popinski loves to drink soda, and can down entire bottles of it before, during, and after a match. When he does it during a battle, he can actually replenish his health. Little Mac can punch his bottle away before he drinks though, which causes him to get angry, but he won't replenish his health. Additionally, when knocked down, he will try to drink some soda to regain strength. Should he be knocked down five times, he will run out of soda, which will result in a KO.
==History==
===Super Punch-Out!! (Arcade)===
Soda Popinski, under his original name of Vodka Drunkenski, makes his first appearance in the Arcade version of Super Punch-Out!!, being the third opponent battled. He serves as a difficulty spike and is more difficult than the previous two opponents, having faster attacks and better defense. He also has a signature move known as the Drunken Punch, a powerful hook that deals more damage than his other attacks.
===Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!===
Vodka Drunkenski returns in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, though now renamed to his current title, and his love of vodka changed to a love for soda in order to be more family friendly. Despite this, some of his quotes between rounds make alcoholic references, such as "I'm going to make you punch drunk!" or "I can't drive, so I'm gonna walk all over you!"
Soda Popinski is ranked #4 in the World Circuit. He is the only opponent in the game who fights in a Southpaw style, leading with his left hand. Possibly as a reference to left-handed boxers having an advantage over right-handed boxers, his animations are strange and awkward, and will most likely throw the player off with their odd timing. His main attacks include hooks and uppercuts, as well as a series of three jabs cued when he starts trotting in place. He can be defeated with basic "stick and move" tactics, though with his high power and defense, this can be difficult. However, he is weak to Star Punches, and will be instantly knocked down if hit by one.
===Punch-Out!! (Wii)===
Soda Popinski reappears in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!, being ranked #3 in the World Circuit. Unlike previous games, where he spoke English, he speaks legitimate Russian. While he was shown drinking soda between rounds in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, this game sees him drink soda during his bouts, which can replenish his health. He also does this between rounds, also healing himself. Little Mac can counter this by punching the bottle away, getting a Star in the process. However, this will make him angry and use his signature move, Soda Fury, where he throws a series of fast uppercuts Little Mac must dodge. When knocked out, Soda Popinski reaches for his bottle, but it will roll off the ring and fall to the ground.
Soda Popinski is also battled in the game's Title Defense mode, where he wears purple instead of red. After his defeat, scientists in Russia made experiments on Soda Popinski's drinks, allowing them to increase his physical strength whenever he drinks it. Whenever he attacks and Little Mac dodges, he can only get two hits off of him, but for every other consecutive time he dodges, he can get another hit off of him. This, however, isn't easy since he attacks faster and is very unpredictable. Furthermore, he drinks more soda between rounds, letting him replenish more health.
===Super Smash Bros. for Wii U===
Soda Popinski appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. It is unlocked by clearing Crazy Orders after 12 or more turns.
:NSTC: "This Russian boxer just can't get enough fizzy soda. He takes cases with him everywhere, even into the ring! He'll down a bottle before a match and even try for sips during your fight! He's not just thirsty- that soda helps him recover from your blows! It's best to interrupt him, but he probably won't appreciate that."
:PAL: "A Russian boxer who loves the delicious taste of soda. He brings whole cases of it to the ringside to drink before each match. And, er...during matches as well. In fact, even after he's been knocked out, he still gropes around for his soda bottle! Try not to let him drink too much, though - that soda helps him recover from your blows!"
===Super Smash Bros. Ultimate===
Soda Popinski appears as a Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He is an Ace-type (★★★) Support Spirit who increases the power of the user's side special move when equipped. The Spirit battle is a Stamina battle against Wario, who becomes stronger after eating Food, which constantly spawns.
The Soda Popinski Spirit uses his artwork from the Wii version of Punch-Out!!.
==Appearances==
===Super Smash Bros. Charged===
Soda Popinski is represented as two Trophies and Spirits in Super Smash Bros. Charged, one representing his normal appearance and the other representing his appearance in Title Defense mode in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!.
His normal Spirit is an Advanced-class Spirit that increases air speed by 15% when equipped. The Spirit battle is a Stamina match against Young Link, who has faster ground and air speed and will taunt often, specifically using the taunt where he drinks Lon Lon Milk, referencing Soda Popinski often drinking during battles.
His Title Defense Spirit is a Legendary-class Spirit that lets recovery items replenish 20% more health when equipped. The Spirit battle is also a Stamina battle with Young Link, though recovery items like Food, Maxim Tomatoes, and Heart Containers will constantly spawn, which Young Link will prioritize collecting, referencing Soda Popinski's soda replenishing his health.
==Gallery==
Soda Popinski.png|Soda Popinski in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!
Soda Popinski Title Defense.png|Soda Popinski in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!
Category:Humans
Category:Boxers
Category:Punch-Out!! Characters
Category:Punch-Out Characters
Category:Males
Category:Ethnic Russians
Category:Russian Characters