Codex Gamicus
Explore
Main Page
Discuss
All Pages
Interactive Maps
navigation
Main page
Community portal
Recent changes
Random page
Admin noticeboard
Forums
Company Index
Character Index
Hardware Index
In-Game Index
Ratings Index
Video Game Index
Fandom
Gamepedia support
Report a bad ad
Help Wiki
Contact us
FANDOM
Fan Central
BETA
Games
Anime
Movies
TV
Video
Wikis
Explore Wikis
Community Central
Start a Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Sign In
Sign In
Register
Fandom's centric source of video game knowledge
42,423
pages
Explore
Main Page
Discuss
All Pages
Interactive Maps
navigation
Main page
Community portal
Recent changes
Random page
Admin noticeboard
Forums
Company Index
Character Index
Hardware Index
In-Game Index
Ratings Index
Video Game Index
Fandom
Gamepedia support
Report a bad ad
Help Wiki
Contact us
Editing
Soda Popinski
(section)
Back to page
Edit
VisualEditor
View history
Talk (0)
Edit Page
Soda Popinski
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==Reception== Since appearing in ''[[Super Punch-Out!! (arcade game)|Punch-Out!!]]'', Soda Popinski has received mostly positive reception. He has been referred to by many sources as being a notable character to the series as well as a fan favourite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/punchoutwii/review.html |title=Punch-Out!! Review for Wii |publisher=GameSpot |date=2009-05-18 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/781/781723p1.html |title=Punch-Out!! - Wii Review at IGN |publisher=Wii.ign.com |date=2007-04-18 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> He has appeared in several pieces of merchandise, including being included in a series of ''Punch-Out!!'' [[Topps]] trading cards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Topps' Nintendo Game Packs - Scratch-offs |url=http://www.trsrockin.com/gamepacks_scratch.html |publisher=TRS Rockin |accessdate=2010-07-29}}</ref> He was chosen as the favourite character by one of the producers of ''[[Punch-Out!! (Wii)|Punch-Out!!]]'' for the [[Wii]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Craig |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/965/965798p2.html |title=Punch-Out!! Hands-on - Wii Preview at IGN |publisher=Wii.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> As a part of the "Obscure Character of the Day" series, [[IGN]] editor Christopher Monfette discussed Popinski, describing him as "the USSR's meanest heavyweight contender ever to grace the NES."<ref>{{cite web|last=Monfette |first=Christopher |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/844/844957p1.html |title=OCD: Soda Popinski - Stars Feature at IGN |publisher=Stars.ign.com |date=2008-01-10 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> They also listed Popinski as one of ''Punch-Out!!''{{'}}s top fighters.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/965/965779p2.html |title=Punch-Out!!'s Top Fighters - Stars Feature at IGN |publisher=Stars.ign.com |date=2010-07-07 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> Both IGN and [[G4TV]] described him as being a comical character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/objects/865/865079.html |title=IGN: Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream |publisher=Wii.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=By awalker | 13 Replies |url=http://g4tv.com/games/wii/43184/punch-out-featuring-mr-dream-virtual-console/index/ |title=Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream [Virtual Console] for Wii on |publisher=G4tv.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> [[MTV]] editor Shaheem Reid, in discussing the photoshopped picture of [[Fat Joe]] to suggest that he was beaten up by [[Papoose]], Reid suggested that in order to have done that much damage, Papoose would have to have the strength of [[Clubber Lang]], [[Ivan Drago]], and Soda Popinski combined.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582683/20080303/fat_joe.jhtml?rsspartner=unknown |title=Fat Joe Laughs Off Black-Eye Photos After Rumble With 50 Cent Ally Papoose - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News |publisher=Mtv.com |date=2008-03-04 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> [[GamePro]] listed him as one of the boxers they hope to return, stating that the US is on good enough terms with Russia to allow it.<ref>http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/207979/8-features-we-want-in-punch-out/</ref> [[Sarcastic Gamer]] editor Havoc Saunders, before Popinski was revealed, commented that if they added Soda Popinski, he would buy the Wii ''Punch-Out!!''.<ref>http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2009/05/great-tiger-brings-his-magic-to-punch-out.html</ref> In spite of the positive reception, [[Destructoid]] editor Colette Bennett referred to Popinski as being a frustrating battle, stating that while others find him easy, she found him very difficult. She specifically cited his taunt as part of her frustration, suggesting that the taunt was as if to say "You will never beat me, you pathetic weiner!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/soda-popinski-i-will-end-you-29019.phtml |title=Soda Popinski, I will end you |publisher=Destructoid |date=2006-03-16 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> GameZone editor jkdmedia commented that while he may have the "power of [[cola]] on his side," he comments that it's his "super-fast attacks that make him deadly."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.gamezone.com/reviews/item/punch_out_wii_review/ |title=Punch-Out!! - WII - Review - GameZone - Reviews |publisher=Wii.gamezone.com |date=2009-05-25 |accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> Kotaku editor Michael McWhertor criticized ''Punch-Out!!'' for the Wii, stating that some of the boxers' cues feel cheap. He specifically cited Soda Popinski, asking the readers if they want to see his notes on how to beat him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5261201/punch+out-review-call-it-a-comeback |title=Punch-Out!! Review: Call It A Comeback |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> However, Operation Sports editor Christian McLeod commented that he was "surprisingly easy", considering that it was late in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.operationsports.com/strategyguides.php?id=892 |title=Punch-Out World Circuit Guide - Strategy Guide |publisher=Operationsports.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> Humour web site [[The Onion]] wrote an article about a series of interviews with [[Mike Tyson]] and other ''Punch-Out!!'' characters, including Soda Popinski.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-mike-tyson-documentary-features-exclusive-inte,2670/ |title=New Mike Tyson Documentary Features Exclusive Interviews With Super Macho Man, King Hippo | The Onion - America's Finest News Source |publisher=The Onion |date= |accessdate=2010-08-28}}</ref> ===Racial stereotyping=== [[File:Popinski stereotype.png|right|thumb|200px|Soda Popinski carrying cases of [[soda]] through a blizzard. This is one of the Russian stereotypes utilized in Soda Popinski's character.]] Soda Popinski has been a component in racial discussion in video games since his appearance in ''Super Punch-Out!!'' for the arcades. [[1UP.com]] listed ''Punch-Out!!'' as the fourth most racist video game, citing Soda's "Soviet roughneck" [[stereotype]] as one of the contributing factors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3167137 |title=Top 5 Racist Videogames |publisher=1up.com |date=2007-11-15 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> [[GameSpy]] listed ''Punch-Out!!'' as the sixth greatest console video game of the 80's, with GameSpy Villoria discussing the various stereotypes, specifically mentioning Popinski as a "Russian booze enthusiast who kept missing his Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in favor of boxing matches."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/104/1042297p26.html |title=GameSpy's 50 Favorite Console Games of the '80s - Page 26 |publisher=GameSpy |date= |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> [[Cracked (magazine)|Cracked]] listed Soda Popinski as one of video games' most politically incorrect moments.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brockway |first=Robert |url=http://www.cracked.com/article_16885_the-6-most-politically-incorrect-video-game-moments_p2.html |title=The 6 Most Politically Incorrect Video Game Moments |publisher=Cracked.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> They also listed him as one of Nintendo's best villains, describing him as both the most outrageous character in ''Punch-Out!!'' as well as the most awesome thing Nintendo had done to date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sunsets |first=Prussian |url=http://www.cracked.com/funny-5560-best-nintendo-villains/ |title=Best Nintendo Villains |publisher=Cracked.com |date=2010-06-25 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> Kotaku editor Michael McWhertor joked that a petition exists to change Popinski's name back to Vodka Drunkenski.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5243376/piston-honda-returns-to-punch+out-mostly-intact |title=Piston Honda Returns To Punch-Out!!, Mostly Intact |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2009-05-06 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> [[GamesRadar]] editor Dave Meikleham included him in his "top seven biggest drunks in games" article, describing him as the "drink to feel invincible drunk". He also calls him a "true pioneer of 8-bit drunks".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-top-7-biggest-drunks-in-games/a-2009010595225937000/p-2 |title=The Top 7... Biggest drunks in games |publisher=GamesRadar |date= |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> Fellow GamesRadar editor Brett Elston discussed Soda Popinski in his "Fun with Stereotypes: Starring Punch-Out!!" article. He discussed how the stereotypes he featured, which includes vodka drinking, an affinity for red clothing, and resistance to very cold temperatures, had to have been intentional, considering that he originated in 1984, which was when Russians were painted as "anti-American villains".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/f/fun-with-stereotypes-starring-punch-out/a-20090520102033407046/g-2008100214264597030/p-2 |title=Fun with stereotypes: starring Punch-Out!!, Punch-Out!! Wii Features |publisher=GamesRadar |date= |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> In his "Nintendo: Banned in the USA" article, Chris Antista of GamesRadar listed an example of Nintendo's censorship of alcohol in video games. He also pointed out that even after the change, Soda's mid-fight quotes are still alcohol references, such as "I drink to prepare for a fight. Tonight I am very prepared!".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/nintendo-banned-in-the-usa/a-20090722105344976067/p-3 |title=Nintendo: Banned in the USA |publisher=GamesRadar |date=2009-07-22 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> In discussing the Wii remake, freelance journalist Sumatra Lahiri suggested that despite the inherent nostalgic value, the stereotypes exhibited by the characters that seemed harmless in the 1980s had not aged well when early 21st century attitudes towards cultural and racial sensitivity were taken into account. In discussing Popinski, he stated that he seems far less innocent when players realize that his soda used to be vodka.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lahiri|first=Sumantra |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_184/5649-Punch-Out-s-Black-Eye |title=The Escapist : Punch-Out!!'s Black Eye |publisher=Escapistmagazine.com |date=2009-01-13 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> [[Guardian.co.uk]] editor Aleks Krotoski described the change from Vodka Drunkenski to Soda Popinski as one of Nintendo's "most dramatic additions/subtractions".<ref>{{cite web|last=Krotoski |first=Aleks |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2006/jul/27/culturaldiffer |title=Cultural differences in gameland | Technology | guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date=2006-07-27 |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> In another Guardian.co.uk article, they discussed what they described as the "shamelessly politically incorrect characters," citing Soda Popinski. While they comment that his name was changed from Vodka Drunkenski to avoid being unfair to Russians, they noted that his mid-match quotes don't make sense, using "I drink to prepare for a fight. Tonight I am very prepared!" as an example.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/nov/02/1 |title=Joy of Six: Retro Sports Games | Sport | guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date=2007-11-02 |accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> [[AskMen]], in discussing ''Punch-Out!!'', described the stereotyping as being "decidedly in poor taste".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/top_10/videogame/top-10-sports-video-games-of-all-time_1p.html |title=Top 10: Sports Video Games Of All Time |publisher=AskMen.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> [[GamePro|GamePro Germany]] called Soda Popinski a "cliché," describing him as an "eternally drunk Russian."<ref>http://www.gamepro.de/specials/retro_hall_of_fame_mike_tysons_punch_out/1960441/retro_hall_of_fame_mike_tysons_punch_out_p3.html</ref>
Summary:
Please note that all contributions to the Codex Gamicus are considered to be released under the CC BY-SA 3.0
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Follow on IG
TikTok
Join Fan Lab