Usain Bolt Now Playable in Temple Run 2, So Fast He’s Probably Hard Mode

Celebrity cameos in games are always fun to see — remember Space Michael Jackson in Space Channel 5 Part 2, or Ricky Gervais performing standup in GTA IV? Well, there’s another great example now: Superb sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt is now an unlockable character in everyone’s favorite running game, Temple Run 2.

For a limited time, you can purchase Bolt from the in-game store for a meager 99 cents. I know I’m not the only one who finds microtransactions sickening, but this is a neat use of it, and one buck doesn’t seem like an unfair price. That’s especially true given that Bolt’s character is more than just an extra skin.

On top of being the fastest character in the game, Bolt has a unique power-up that lets him collect coins while in boost mode. Apparently, this wasn’t just some spur-of-the-moment thing on developer Imangi Games’ part, either. According to an email to the LA Times from Bolt, he’s a huge fan of Temple Run, and his fans had been clamoring for his inclusion in the game: “Many of my fans have told me that I should be a playable character in Temple Run, so when this opportunity was put before me, I had to say YES!”

Well. That settles it.

(via LA Times, image via José Goulão)

Meanwhile in related links

• If fan power could get Usain Bolt into Temple Run, could it get Reggie into Smash?
• This still isn’t as fantastically weird as Kanye Quest.
• And no celebrity appearance ever can top Keith David in Saint’s Row IV.