8 Video Game Product Placements So Good We Bought In

4. Dole Bananas (Super Monkey Ball)

Lunafreya Final Fantasy XV Cup Noodles
SEGA

SEGA had a whole bunch of great ideas on how to make a bit of extra dough through Super Monkey Ball.

The sequel to the simian spinner once more asked players to roll bananas up like a Cuban cigar baron, but not just any bananas this time. In a piece of potassium-promoting product placement, all of the game's plantain pickups came with the sticker of the world's largest fresh produce exporter slapped on them, offering a rare example of a cynical video game plug with actual health benefits.

In 2010, SEGA once more got into the skin of a banana republic, teaming up with Chiquita to cross-promote Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll. In an inversion of the Dole deal, over 180 million Chiquita bananas were emblazoned with labels advertising the Wii game, and there was also a competition allowing fans of the yellow fruit to win a TV and a copy of the game. Now that was a-peeling.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.