Bucket

During the late 1990s console era, mundane household objects frequently served as crucial interactive elements in adventure and role-playing titles. In the Interplay-published adaptation of Casper, the item represents the gameplay's departure from traditional platforming, forcing players to navigate the physical limitations of the ghostly protagonist as he manipulates real-world objects to bypass environmental obstacles. This design reflected the movie tie-in's emphasis on exploration over combat.

In Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return, designed by Tokuro Fujiwara, the item is integrated into the game's signature "Event" system. Acquired in the Coal Mining Town, it serves as a key progression tool that teaches players to backtrack and interact with environmental hazards, a staple of the series' quest design.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of the item in Shadow Madness serves as a parody of high-fantasy role-playing tropes. Developed by Crave Entertainment, the game utilized the item to establish its distinctively cynical, humorous tone, contrasting with the serious narratives of contemporary PlayStation RPGs. By subverting the utility of standard armor, the developers cemented the object as a memorable gag within the cult classic's inventory system.