Sometimes you get a promotional Spyro the Dragon egg in the mail, and other times you get something a little more…inflatable?
When I opened up Activision’s mysterious thumbtacked Falcon McBob delivery back in April, I thought marketing campaigns couldn’t get any more intriguing. That is until today, when a fluffy envelope arrived at my doorstep containing what might be the coolest PR item I’ve yet received: An officially branded Spyro the Dragon blow-up pool float. Summer fun and our favorite purple dragon, together at last. And against all odds, it seems like a match made in PS1 heaven. I mean, who wouldn’t want to lounge around on the back of a fire-breathing retro lizard, sipping a Squeezit and nomming on Gushers like it’s 1998?
So did I inflate it? Of course I did. How could I not? Sure, I got a little light-headed in the process, mostly because I’m an old man and I couldn’t find a proper air pump to do the hard work for me. Also, my dog became increasingly afraid of Inner Tube Spyro as he slowly took shape before us. Can’t blame her, really. Dragons are dangerous. But after all the huffing and puffing, the end result was so worth it. Check it out for yourself:
There you have it. A Spyro the Dragon inflatable pool float. Who would have thought? This is going to make for one hell of a conversation piece when guests come over to hang out this weekend for Labor Day. Let’s read how it will probably go down:
Guest: “My goodness, what is this incredible reptilian decoration I see before me?”
Me: “Oh, this old thing? It’s just a super limited edition pool toy based on a video game franchise that I grew up playing in the ‘90s. No big deal. Also don’t touch it.”
Seeing it in person, I kind of wish Activision were giving this float away with some kind of special version of the upcoming remasters, or maybe as a unique pre-order bonus. I can only speak for myself, but it feels just ridiculous enough to be a significant purchasing incentive. But then again, I’d probably buy just about anything Spyro-related at this point, and that includes all other manner of outdoor activity equipment. Spyro tennis racket? Spyro trampoline? Spyro slip n’ slide? Yes please.
Big thanks to Activision for sending this out, and as a quick reminder, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy recently got delayed to November 13, 2018. Thankfully, toys like this are making the wait a little easier to bear.
