The first true energy drink was created in Japan in the 1960s, and many famous brands have emerged since like Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, and Monster. However, there was one energy drink that came and went around the turn of the millennium, now forgotten by all but the most nostalgic and hardcore gamers.

Bawls Guarana was invented in 1996 as part of a class project to give college kids a tasty morning pick-me-up that wasn't coffee. The drink was made with the guarana berry native to the Amazon Basin, which can make you just as alert as coffee for twice as long and without the negative side effects.

Bawls Guarana wasn't always meant to appeal to videogame culture, but a good review of Bawls on a computer gaming site helped uncover its potential in this arena. Soon enough, it gained popularity at local area network (LAN) parties, and Bawls began endorsing these LAN parties and events to increase brand awareness.

Unfortunately for Bawls, its beverages are not what they once were in terms of widespread popularity due to an overcrowded market. However, energy drinks are still inseparable from gaming culture today, and Bawls Guarana is still the official drink of the massive annual LAN party QuakeCon.