Soda Popinski

Russian Monster
Soda Popinski
Species	Human
Affiliation	WVBA
Hair color	Brown
Age	35
Weight	237 lbs.
Origin	Moscow, Russia
Voiced by	Ihor Mota
Debut	Super Punch-Out!!

Soda Popinski (originally known as Vodka Drunkenski) is a Russian boxer who appears as an enemy in the Punch-Out!! series.

Background

Soda Popinski is a boxer who is inconsistently portrayed as a drunk and as a man fueled by soda pop. He first appeared in Super Punch-Out!! as the third opponent, described as the champion of the USSR and known as Vodka Drunkinski. In this incarnation he was a tough opponent with moves that were hard to avoid, including his patented drunken punch move.

He was rechristened Soda Popinski when he appeared in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! as the #4 ranked boxer in the World Circuit. Despite apparently drinking soda pop, his dialogue suggests he is in fact drinking alcohol such as when he says that he cannot drive and threatens to make Little Mac feel "punch drunk". He is still a powerful opponent with a number of deadly uppercuts.

Soda returns in Punch-Out!! for the Wii as the #3 ranked competitor in the World Circuit. His opening slideshow shows him wearing Soviet-era clothing and drinking massive amounts of soda pop in his own gym. Whenever he gets up from being KOed, he will attempt to drink from a bottle of soda pop that will restore part of his health, although Little Mac can shatter this to prevent him from regaining health and earn a star at the same time, although this also sends Soda into a temporary fit of rage. He will also drip some soda pop into his mouth to recover when he is knocked out. In his Title Defense match he returns after drinking special soda pop that makes him stronger and faster, but gets weaker every time he misses.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In the Super Smash Bros. series, Popinski has been represented by a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and an Ace-rank Support Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. His Spirit's Support effect was to increase the power of side special moves. When fought in a Spirit battle, Soda Popinski's Spirit would possess Wario in a stamina battle where Popinski could become more powerful by consuming the beverages that commonly appeared on the stage.

Trivia

• His name change for the NES game was the result of censorship in order to avoid alcohol references as well as the stereotypical associations of Russians with alcohol (despite his taunts still implying alcoholic references).
• In the NES game, he speaks English, but in the Wii version he instead speaks fluent Russian.
• His first appearances refer to his home nation as the USSR (Soviet Union) due to the games being published during the period when Russia was part of the Soviet Union. The Wii game refers to it as Russia but also includes a callback to the Soviet Union in the form of Soda's clothing.