Fallout Case Files 4: Sunset Sarsaparilla

The Sunset Sarsaparilla company was a pre-War softdrink manufacturer, well known around Las Vegas for its eponymous Sunset Sarsaparilla drink.

Sunset Sarsaparilla was founded in 1918 (as stated in advertising), making it 126 years older than the Nuka-Cola Corporation.

According to Festus, the entire history of the Sunset Sarsaparilla corporation is as follows: a saloon owner one day decided to make a new type of soft drink. He asked his usual customers what flavor they would want it to be, but were no help. But, a stranger at the end of the bar suggested he make a sarsaparilla flavored drink, and would give his family's recipe to the saloon owner if he got to sample a bottle to make sure the recipe was being followed to the letter. The saloon owner agreed, thinking it would make him rich. The stranger then left to meet him the next day at sundown. The next day, the saloon owner was told by the sheriff that the stranger was killed by bandits on the side of the town road. Cursing his luck, the saloon owner closed his store early that day, just as the sun began to set. But after he locked the doors, he found a bottle with a note under it sealed with blue wax in the shape of a star. Opening it, he found out that it was a recipe of a sarsaparilla-flavored drink. After sampling the contents of the bottle, and finding it "singularly delicious", began selling Sunset Sarsaparilla.

However, the star cap story is largely a promotional story. False rumors about a 'contest' involving specific Sunset Sarsaparilla bottle caps began to circulate around the bottling headquarters in Las Vegas, which in turn led to the announcement of the running "Legend of the Star" collection campaign. Stories of the contest became very distorted following the Great War, and the actual simple prize (which consisted of a retelling of the fictitious story by the company spokes bot and a small metal Sunset Sarsaparilla deputy badge) became a bloated tale of pre-War technology, weapons caches, and all sorts of other amazing loot.

Fallout Case Files 3: Nuka-Cola

Nuka-Cola was the most popular soft drink in the world before the Great War. After the War, many bottles of this pre-War favorite still survived, and Nuka-Cola remains one of the most popular soft drinks of the post-apocalyptic world. Their bottle caps are also famously used as currency, along with Sunset Sarsaparilla.

Nuka-Cola was invented in 2044 by John-Caleb Bradberton. Its unique taste gained widespread popularity, quickly becoming the most popular soft drink in the United States with an extremely dedicated following. The widely known dazzling blue bottle color was adopted as standard in 2052, after market research programs indicated that the blue color was the favorite in 86 people out of 100 polled.

The ingredients of Nuka-Cola include: carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate (to protect taste), natural flavors, citric acid, and caffeine. What gives it a unique flavor is the essence of seventeen different fruits mixed in just the right proportion to give the beverage its trademark taste. Some versions of the drink also include vita-minerals and health tonics. During the Great Passion Fruit Famine of 2044, people actually noticed the taste difference when the recipe was changed.

By 2067, vending machines with ice cold Nuka-Cola could be found on virtually every street in America.

Nuka-Cola

Gameplay articles: Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout Tactics

Nuka-Cola was the most popular flavored soft drink in the United States before the Great War. After the War, Nuka-Cola remains one of the most popular soft drinks of the post-nuclear world, as much of it was preserved in a fairly pristine state, although it tends to be warm, irradiated, and flat. During the E3 gameplay release of Fallout 4, Nuka-Cola bottles appear to take on a newer look.

Ice cold Nuka-Cola

Gameplay articles: Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas

Ice cold Nuka-Cola is a rare wasteland commodity that is the result of placing a bottle of Nuka-Cola in a functioning refrigeration unit. It may be chilled, but it is still irradiated and flat.

Nuka-Cola Quantum

Gameplay articles: Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4

In 2077, a new version called Nuka-Cola Quantum was introduced. According to the advertisements, it had twice the calories, twice the carbohydrates, twice the caffeine and twice the taste. To make it stand out more on the shelves and to give it an extra kick, the Quantum included a mild radioactive strontium isotope^[1] (and an eighteenth fruit flavor - pomegranate). The effect was a drink that not only boosted your energy, but also glowed with a bright blue light. While no ill effects were recorded by the Food and Drug Administration, the isotope also caused the drinker's urine to glow.

Reports that can be obtained in the Nuka-Cola plant show that product development had not been without failures and casualties. The company found a suitable isotope in strontium-90. The product was made in small experimental groups, which were then sent out around Washington, D.C. for feedback. Unfortunately, while the product was being sent out for response, some of the packages were caught out in the Great War.

Nuka-Cola Clear

Gameplay article: Fallout 3

The company began to develop a product called Nuka-Cola Clear, with "only minimal loss of life." They were able to modify the look of Nuka-Cola, yet give it the same great taste. The formula and some entries on a research terminal can be found in the Nuka-Cola plant, but it never made it into production.

Nuka-Cola Quartz

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas

Nuka-Cola Quartz is a flavor of Nuka-Cola unique to the American southwest, in a similar sort of situation to Nuka-Cola Quantum. It is a clear drink with a white tint and glow. This version of the soft drink also gives the drinker low-light vision, much like the effects given after taking Cateye.

Nuka-Cola Victory

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas

Nuka-Cola Victory is another flavor of Nuka-Cola that is unique to the American southwest. It is colored orange, giving it a distinct look, much like the Nuka-Cola Quantum of the east coast.

Cherry Nuka-Cola

	The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon.

Gameplay article: Fallout Tactics

Cherry Nuka-Cola is a variation of regular Nuka-Cola. After it was introduced, it turned out that nobody liked the taste. This resulted in a marketing disaster for the company, which quickly attempted to save the brand by introducing the Classic Nuka-Cola, tasting exactly like the original, but in a new bottle. The story of its introduction, rejection, and replacement by Classic Nuka-Cola mimics that of New Coke.

Classic Nuka-Cola

	The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon.

Gameplay article: Fallout Tactics

Classic Nuka-Cola tastes exactly like the original Nuka-Cola, but comes in a new bottle. It was an attempt at saving the brand after the marketing disaster that was Cherry Nuka-Cola.

Yellow Nuka-Cola

	The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon.

Gameplay article: Fallout Tactics

Yellow Nuka-Cola is a "variation" of regular Nuka-Cola, both yellow in color and with an "interesting" smell. In Chicago, during the Brotherhood of Steel's reign, there were reports of this strange yellow Nuka-Cola. However, it was quickly identified as a substance designed by a "mad naked man" who "made water." Considering this, and the fact that it's poisonous to anyone with the temerity to actually drink it, it is apparent that the so-called cola is in fact a generous helping of urine.

Fusion Cola

	The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon.

Gameplay article: Fallout Tactics

Phil, the Nuka-Cola dude, had the thankless job of riding around the Wasteland with his bike and refilling all of the Nuka-Cola machines that littered it. It was a tradition passed down (rather stupidly) from generation to generation. Phil was not impressed and doesn't like Nuka-Cola that much. It is rumored that he had something called Fusion Nuka-Cola, a unique, unknown taste which was created by fusing together some Nuka-Cola dregs into a concentrated essence.

Fallout Case Files 2: Pip-boy

The RobCo Pip-Boy (Personal Information Processor) is an electronic device manufactured by RobCo Industries. It uses ultra-modern super-deluxe resolution graphics, which coupled with its capability to store large amounts of information and transfer data to and from holodisks and from data tubes make it the obvious choice for the wandering explorer, the out-on-his-own newbie or the all-around survivalist expert.

The Pip-Boys were standard equipment issued to all Vault-Tec Vaults. Some Vaults received newer models of the device, while others got older versions.

The character who shows in images which illustrate all of the characteristics of the SPECIAL character system (perks, traits, stats etc.) is often incorrectly called "Pipboy" (even in Fallout Tactics). His real name is Vault Boy.

Pip-Boy 1.0Edit

A photo of the Pip-Boy 1.0

Gameplay article: Fallout 4

The Pip-Boy 1.0 was the very first model of the Pip-Boy personal information processors created by RobCo before the Great War. The device marked the first known attempt by any company to create a wearable portable computer. The only observed unit of the Pip-Boy 1.0 featured a highly cumbersome design with a small screen and no protective outer casing. It is unknown if the 1.0 model was produced for distribution.

Pip-Boy 2000Edit

A Pip-Boy 2000

Gameplay articles: Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics

The Pip-Boy 2000 displays information in bright green on its black 5" x 3" screen, can record sound and video footage for later playback, and uses a simple yet elegant form of sonar and satellite tracking where satellite coverage is available to map out areas where its user travels. Though input is slow, a user can also hand-enter and edit text messages on the Pip-Boy 2000.

The original Pip-Boy 2000 was a hand-held device, though some very cumbersome models were made to be worn on the arm. These models were unofficially called Pip-Boy 2000 Plus, and were, among others, owned by the Vault Dweller and Chosen One. A modified model was used by the Brotherhood of Steel.

Pip-Boy 3000Edit

A Pip-Boy 3000

Gameplay articles: Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas

The Pip-Boy 3000 abandoned the hand-held design of its predecessor completely, making arm-mounted designs standard. Several different versions of the 3000 were made, each incorporating minor ergonomic and technical changes but maintaining the same general appearance. The Pip-Boy 3000A features a built-in radio, Geiger counter, flashlight, and a biometric lock that can only be opened by either the user or a skilled technician.

The Pip-Boy 3000A was distributed to Vaults in the Washington, D.C. and Mojave Desert areas. Notable owners include the Lone Wanderer and the Courier.

Pimp-Boy 3 BillionEdit

A "Pimp-Boy 3 Billion"

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas

A hand-crafted modification of the standard Pip-Boy 3000A, the extravagant Pimp-Boy 3 Billion is solid gold and encrusted with diamonds. It can be obtained from Mick at Mick & Ralph's in Freeside as a reward for persuading the Omertas to return to Mick for their weapon needs. Mick will switch the user's Pip-Boy between the 3000A and the 3 Billion upon request. The "Wild Wasteland" trait causes disco music play whenever it is equipped (the first time and every time when swapping back from the original model).

Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IVEdit

A Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IV

Gameplay article: Fallout 4

The Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IV is the fourth iteration of the Pip-Boy 3000 line and includes a number of design enhancements. The control dials were moved from the left side of the device to the right to improve accessibility, and the biometric lock and glove were replaced by a simple latch, allowing for quick and easy removal. The Mark IV also utilized a revamped display interface with animated images and was capable of playing the latestvideo games, such as Atomic Command and Red Menace.

The Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IV was distributed to Vaults near Boston. For an unknown reason, one was not issued and had to be discovered and claimed by the Sole Survivor of Vault 111.