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Soda Popinski, originally known as Vodka Drunkenski, is a character in the Punch-Out!! series. He first appeared in the arcade version of Super Punch-Out!!, then later appeared in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! as Soda Popinski.

In Super Punch-Out!!, Vodka Drunkenski was the "Champion of the U.S.S.R." and the third opponent the player faces. He has a high defense and moves very fast with his "drunken punch". However, if the player dodges quickly enough and punches immediately afterward, they can set up a series of consecutive punches, which is very useful given Drunkenski's high defense.

In the NES sequel, Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, later remade into Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream, Vodka Drunkenski was renamed Soda Popinski, because of Nintendo's policy of making family-friendly games and removing any alcoholic references. However, despite the name change, Popinski still made references to his alcoholism in-between rounds (see quotes section). Fighting Soda Popinski is similar to fighting him in Super Punch-Out!!; he has a high defense, and hitting him right after dodging his moves can rank up series of consecutive punches.

Soda Popinski appears in the "new" Punch-Out!! title for the Wii, in which he retains his NES name. His love for soda is more promptly featured in this game, as his intro shows him drinking mountains of soda while training. He also drinks soda during the fight to regain health, though it can be knocked away before he can drink it. Doing so causes him to go into a fit of rage and perform a stream of 3-6 uppercuts in a row. He does this whenever Little Mac knocks away his drink, whenever he is Star Punched, and getting up after being knocked down (he takes a bottle of soda and drinks a drop).

In the Title Defense mode of the Wii game, he now drinks special soda made by Russian scientists that gives him enhanced strength.

Quotes[]

Main Article: Soda Popinski/Quotes
  • "I can't drive, so I'm gonna walk all over you!"
  • "I'm going to make you feel punch drunk!"
  • "I drink to prepare for a fight. Tonight I am very prepared!"
  • "After you lose, we'll drink to your health! Ha, ha, ha!"
  • "Would you like some punch to drink? Ha, ha, ha!"
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