What’s really going on in this KFConsole video announcement from KFC?
Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET
Not to be outdone by Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X, the fast-food restaurant chain KFC (previously called Kentucky Fried Chicken) launched its own gaming console as a joke.
Unfortunately, it’s not real.
KFC posted a video showing off its new KFConsole on social media on June 12, a day after the PlayStation 5 reveal featuring a controversial new design.
The KFConsole looks a real gaming console with a power button, a disc drive and red lights. The video also claims that KFConsole has cross-platform compatibility.
However one detail gives away the joke — the KFConsole also has built-in a red glowing BBQ grill called the “chicken chamber” for when gamers have the urge to cook up some chicken.
The KFConsole video has a release date of Nov. 12, so here’s hoping KFC has a follow-up joke planned. Just don’t plan on buying this high-tech gaming console that also doubles as a BBQ grill. KFC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
KFC Gaming’s mascot looks like a hipster version of Colonel Sanders enjoying both chicken and a video game.
KFC Gaming
While the console is a clever joke, KFC does indeed have an interesting in gaming. Its KFC Gaming Twitter account has over 123.6K followers and the KFC Gaming Instagram account has 66.6K followers.
Previously in 2019, KFC released a real game called I Love You Colonel Sanders Dating Simulator Game, which previous launched on Steam; and KFC currently encourages gamers to make KFC builds in Minecraft and share them.
KFC also isn’t afraid to pull unusual marketing stunts, including a real KFC fried-chicken computer keyboard complete with a chicken drumstick mouse, KFC fried chicken-scented sunscreen, KFC nail polish that tastes like fried chicken, and KFC Crocs shoes this year.
So when it comes to KFC products, sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s a fun joke. As expected, gamers took to social media wondering if the KFConsole was real or a hoax.
One curious gamer tweeted, “Any exclusive titles?”
KFC responded with the comment, “You know it,” along with an image of KFC’s I Love You Colonel Sanders Dating Simulator Game.
Another gamer tweeted,”Dayummmm, how much storage though? I guess 2ChickenBytes.”
KFC jokingly responded with the tweet, “2 Terabites.”
Even Xbox responded to the KFC tweet with the question, “Can you lay it sideways?” as a reference to the recent memes about the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X console designs.
Here’s a few more reactions from social media.
KFC dating simulator on the KFConsole 😳
— Aden (@ade__n) June 12, 2020
So you’re trying to tell me this console has cross platform compatibility meaning I can play the new Xbox and PlayStation games. WHILE COOKING CHICKEN!?!?!?!?!? must cop. #KFConsole https://t.co/imLa3UfsOG
— Trey Porter (@young_trey34) June 14, 2020