Microsoft Is Celebrating 25 Years of Xbox by Putting Master Chief on a Fanta Pineapple Can

Ever wanted to see Master Chief longingly looking into the horizon from the confines of a carbonated can? Your dream has finally come true.

As detailed in a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Xbox this year, and to mark the milestone, it’s teaming up with Fanta to release a series of special edition cans and bottles. From April 6, fans will be able to start scanning QR codes located on each pack to secure in-game rewards and Xbox-related prizes, as well as taking part in interactive challenges.

Not only are iconic Xbox characters taking over existing taste sensations, though, but a whole new Fanta flavour has been created to celebrate such an occasion: Fanta Crimson Sour Cherry. The full lineup can be found below:

  • Forza Horizon 6 – Fanta Grape
  • Call of Duty – Fanta Orange
  • Diablo 4 – Fanta Crimson Sour Cherry
  • Halo – Fanta Pineapple
  • World of Warcraft – Fanta Strawberry
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Xbox-themed Fanta cans are coming. Image credit: Microsoft.

But the fun doesn’t end there. By completing Fanta Rewards Chest challenges, fans will have the chance to win prizes, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, Xbox controllers, Xbox Series S consoles, and the new ROG Xbox Ally.

And there’s more, with digital in-game rewards also available. These are as follows:

  • Halo: Campaign Evolved – The Master Chief’s Fantastic Spartan Armor [Redeemable at launch]
  • World of Warcraft – Fantastical Goblin Waveshredder Mount and more WoW rewards
  • Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – Tactical Orange Calling Card and 1-Hour 2XP Level Token
  • Diablo IV – Citron Whirl Town Portal
  • Forza Horizon 6 – 1966 Toyota Sports 800 Fanta Edition [Redeemable at launch]
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Fanta items in Xbox games. Image credit: Microsoft.

Described as a “celebration of gaming and flavor,” an immersive Diablo 4 fan event will also take place in Los Angeles from May 22-25 in collaboration with Fanta, which will allow players to come face-to-face with Mephisto, who has locked away prizes, and presumably cold cans of Fanta. That silly Lord of Hatred. What will he do next?

There’s a lot going on in the world of Xbox right now, including preparations for an Xbox Games Showcase set for this June. Gears of War: E-Day gets this year’s dedicated post-show Direct. 2026 will also see the launch of Microsoft’s new Fable reboot, as well as the return of Master Chief via Halo: Campaign Evolved. In the nearer term, Playground’s Forza Horizon 6 starts its engine in May.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.