Fansided

Red Bull releases limited-edition Street Fighter cans

By Derek Helling

Red Bull logo during the paddock day at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
Red Bull logo during the paddock day at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images) /
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Energy drink giant Red Bull is celebrating three decades of the iconic fighting video game.

Beverage companies like Red Bull have been minting special cans to commemorate events for decades, just how like for 30 years gamers have been extending Dhalsim’s arms and legs across the screen in Street Fighter. The limited edition cans that Red Bull has produced to memorialize this anniversary are more than a collector’s item, however.

In addition to the design inclusion of several of the Capcom characters – specifically Chun-Li, Guile, Ken, Ryu and Zangrief – Red Bull has taken advantage of existing technology to turn the cans into a fan experience.

Each can includes a custom code that can be redeemed in the Playstation Store for special items in the current Playstation 4 game, Street Fighter V. The promotion is valid until April 30, 2018. Additionally, Snapchat users can scan the can in the app to unlock a unique filter tied to the character the can depicts. One can will also unlock an interactive lens.

red bull
The Red Bull Street Fighter cans which on top of being collectible unlock several features for Playstation and Snapchat users. Photo courtesy of FortySeven Communications. /

This promotion comes in concert with an event also designed to further the celebration of 30 years of Ryu’s “hadouken.” At The Castle in Boston on Nov. 18-19, the Red Bull Battlegrounds will enable game players to compete in an open-bracket tournament that will contain 512 spots.

The event will also feature a virtual reality exhibit that fans of the game are sure to enjoy, a mural representing one artist’s take on the game, and a backdrop for the event designed to mimic the “Union Station” stage in the game.

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Red Bull has sold itself to millions of customers with a promise of “giving them wings.” For fans of Street Fighter, the ability to unlock special features tied to the game while collecting the cans is certainly an uplifting experience.