# Video Game-Themed Beverages Candy Can and Bandai Namco Entertainment Partner on Exclusive Collab By Kalin Ned | Published 2025-09-12 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candy-cans References: [ccentral](https://ccentral.ca/candy-can-partners-bandai-namco-entertainment-special-edition-pac-man-beverage) [Candy Can](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bubblicious), a beverage company specializing in sparkling drinks with flavors inspired by confectionery, has entered into a partnership with [Bandai Namco Entertainment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-and-bandai) to release a limited-edition drink themed around the iconic PAC-MAN video game. The special-edition beverage by Candy Can features a delectable cherry flavor, which serves as a direct reference to the cherries that appear as point items within the classic arcade game. Candy Can and Bandai Namco Entertainment also launch a collectible campaign featuring 45 distinct can lid designs, each representing a unique tribute to the game, with some produced in limited quantities to increase their rarity. This initiative is promoted as an industry-first as it transforms a typically disposable component of packaging into a sought-after collectible. The collaboration is timed to coincide with the 45th anniversary of PAC-MAN. Image Credit: Candy Can x Bandai Namco Entertainment ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.7/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 50% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Video Game-themed Consumer Products:** Consumer products inspired by video games offer brands a fresh avenue to appeal to nostalgic gamers and pop culture enthusiasts. - **Collectible Packaging:** Leveraging packaging as a collectible item transforms traditional disposables into engaging brand memorabilia that creates additional consumer value. - **Limited-edition Releases:** Offering limited-edition products capitalizes on exclusivity and rarity, driving consumer demand through unique and scarce offerings. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Beverage Industry:** The beverage industry is integrating pop culture elements into product designs, expanding consumer engagement and market penetration. - **Gaming Industry:** Collaborations between gaming franchises and consumer brands create cross-industry synergy that introduces gaming elements to new audiences. - **Collectibles Market:** The rise of collectible packaging introduces new physical engagement opportunities within the collectibles market, merging utility with fandom. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Video Game-Inspired Donut Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-and-bandai.md) - [Nostalgic Gamer Donut Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-x-pacman-collection.md) - [Cherry-Flavored Summer Sorbets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cherry-chomp-sorbet.md) - [Game-Themed Soft Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coca-cola-2.md) - [Nostalgic Candy Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bubblicious.md) - [Video Game-Themed Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-diablo-iv-drinks.md) - [Game-Honoring Energy Drink Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-bull-tetris.md) - [Game-Themed Beverage Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/official-beverage-ration.md) - [Cult-Favorite Animation-Themed Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banana-candy.md)