Power-Up #19: Bubblegum (Skuljagger)

Yarr! Put on your peg leg and don the eye patch, because today we're looking at Skuljagger: Revolt of the Westicans. In this game, the player defeats pirates by blowing bubble gum. Yes, this is the rare game that combines bubble gum with pirate fiction. Find out why that makes no sense in this episode of the 29 Questionable Power-Ups of Christmas.



Purpose: When he's not using his sword to cut down the pirate masses, the hero of Skuljagger can be found chewing bubble gum. That's right, bubble gum. This gum (which inexplicably comes from fruit he picks up along the way) is able to double as an explosive, balloon and even a protective shield. It's probably better we don't think too hard about how it all works.

Legacy: Apparently consumers weren't interested in a bubble gum chewing pirates, as Revolt of the Westicans is the one and only Skuljagger game. But don't worry; I'm sure there's Skuljagger fanfiction out there somewhere.

In Real Life: While not as dangerous as battling pirates, chewing gum is far from healthy. All that chewing tricks your brain into thinking it's getting food, which results in biomechanical and hormonal imbalances. And don't forget the link to TMJ and other chewing problems. In other words, I'll take my chances with the pirates.