With the ever-growing popularity of e-sports, footwear brands have jumped on the gaming trend with unexpected collaborations that appeal to a newly-formed niche audience. PUMA has been developing its presence in the online gaming sphere, already having multiple global e-sports organizations as partners such as the Gen.G and Cloud9. However, this doesn’t mean it’s game over when it comes to embracing the retro era. Following the SEGA and Puma RS-0, Nintendo and PUMA have teamed up for another video game-inspired shoe, with the new 1983 NES console-inspired Future Rider “Nintendo Entertainment System”.
Not only are the colors used throughout the Future Rider reminiscent of the NES console; the embellishments further invoke nostalgia around the vintage gaming experience. An 8-bit Super Mario Bros. image is used on the tongue tag, mimicking the look of the game when it was released for the NES. A bead chain that features a rubber charm of the original NES remote dangles from the laces as well. On the midsole, there is a gray block with the word “Power”, almost identical to the power button seen on the console. These details power-up the model for a collaboration that successfully honors a classic.
The Future Rider will be available for purchase on PUMA’s website on December 4 at 10AM. In other PUMA news, check out PUMA’s Footpatrol collaboration.
