Mountain Dew Kickstart is the energy drink variant of Mountain Dew, which was created by the same company that created Game Fuel, a popular beverage around the world.
The Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel is a reimagining of the company’s first energy drink, which debuted on January 14, 2019.
But, given that their soft drinks and energy drinks are called after Mountain Dew, an 81-year-old formula, you have to wonder if these products are all the same in terms of contents and their effect on the body.
So, what distinguishes Game Fuel from Kickstart? Should you even purchase it?
Read the article to find out which drink won this match-up!
Game Fuel Vs. Kickstart: An Overview
The only difference in flavor between Kickstart and Game Fuel, in my opinion, is that the latter is more carbonated.
Check out this table to see the other distinctions between these two beverages.
| Main Components | Game Fuel | Kickstart |
| Caffeine | 90 mg | 90 mg |
| Calories | 90 calories | 80 calories |
| Vitamins | Vitamins A, B6, niacin, pantothenic acid | – |
| Added Sugar | 12 g | 20 g |
So, in terms of caffeine content, Game Fuel and Kickstart are on par, as both contain 90 mg of caffeine, which is perfect for folks with low tolerance.
Game Fuel has more calories, but this isn’t a major deal because it’s still under the suggested range.
Because of its larger calorie count, Game Fuel may deliver a greater energy boost than Kickstart.
If I had to choose between Kickstart and Game Fuel in terms of sugar content, I’d go with Game Fuel. The 21 g of added sugar in kickstart worries me.
However, when it comes to vitamins and minerals, to my surprise, Kickstart doesn’t have a single vitamin and mineral in its formula!
Although I do not recommend getting your vitamins from energy drinks, it still surprises me.
To recap my comparison, I’d say both Game Fuel and Kickstart are potentially good choices if you’re seeking a moderately caffeinated energy drink.
Comparison of Nutrition Facts: Game Fuel and Kickstart
The comparison of nutrition facts of Game Fuel and Kickstart has been given below in the table.
| Nutrition Facts | Game Fuel | Kickstart | Recommended Daily Amount |
| Calories | 45 | 80 | 2000-2500 |
| Fat | 0g | 0g | 65g |
| Carbohydrates (Of Which Sugar) | 12g | 21g | 24g for women and 36g for men |
| Protein | 0g | 0g | 65g |
| Sodium | 90mg | 170mg | 2400mg |
| Vitamin A | 90mcg | – | 900mcg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 3.2mg | – | 20mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3mg | – | 2mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 1mg | – | 5mg |
As seen in the table above, while both energy drinks contain vital elements in their formulas, Game Fuel takes the cake here by including the necessary vitamins in its formula.
Calories
Game Fuel incorporates 45 calories per serving. On the other hand, there are 90 calories in Kickstart.
Both of these energy beverages are high in calories. If you only compare these two drinks, Kickstart Energy has more calories than Game Fuel.
A can of Monster Energy contains 45 more calories than a serving of Game Fuel; therefore, it’ll have a higher impact on your daily calorie consumption.
Both of these energy drinks will significantly increase your calorie intake if you’re trying to lose weight and limit your calorie intake.
Game Fuel, on the other hand, would be a better choice than Kickstart Energy due to its lower calorie count.
In perspective, a woman’s body requires approximately 2000 calories per day, whereas a man’s body requires up to 2500 calories per day; keep in mind that it solely depends on your lifestyle, age, and a variety of other factors.
Sugar
Game Fuel energy drink has 12g of sugar, whereas Kickstart has 21g.
Despite the fact that both energy drinks are high in sugar, Kickstart has a much higher sugar content than Game Fuel.
Drinking Game Fuel can add 12 grams of sugar to your daily sugar intake. Kickstart Energy, on the other hand, will significantly increase your sugar intake by 21g.
Game Fuel is the way to go if you don’t want to add a lot of sugar to your daily sugar intake and want to keep it modest.
A woman should not consume more than 24g of sugar per day, whereas a man should consume no more than 36g of sugar per day.
Also, keep an eye on your sugar intake because too much sugar might lead to the following medical difficulties:
- Diabetes
- High risk of heart disease
- High risk of cancer
- Acne
- Wrinkles
- Tooth decay
- Low energy
- Depression
Vitamins
In any case, the vitamins and minerals present in Game Fuel and Kickstart are listed in the table below, and you can read more about vitamins, minerals, and their purposes by clicking here.
| Vitamins and Minerals | Game Fuel | Kickstart | Functions |
| Vitamin A | Present | Not Present | It sustains eye health and promotes the production of white blood cells. |
| Vitamin B3 | Present | Not Present | It helps the body release energy while preserving skin nutrition. |
| Vitamin B6 | Present | Not Present | It stores energy from protein and carbohydrates while assembling red blood cells. |
| Vitamin B12 | Present | Not Present | It helps to release energy from food while forming red blood cells and retains the nervous system healthy. |
For the vitamin spread, Game Fuel has vitamins A, B3, B6, and B12, while Kickstart Energy includes no vitamins in its formula. So, Game Fuel definitely takes the cake in this part.
Comparison of Ingredients: Game Fuel Vs. Kickstart
Both energy drinks have vital elements in their formulas. I’ve included a table below that compares the ingredients.
| Game Fuel | Kickstart Energy |
| Carbonated Water | Carbonated Water |
| High Fructose Corn Syrup | High Fructose Corn Syrup |
| Citric Acid | Citric Acid |
| Sodium Phosphate | Sodium polyphosphates (preservative) |
| Natural Flavor | Natural Flavors |
| L-Theanine | Taurine |
| Sodium Benzoate | Sodium Citrate |
| Caffeine (90mg) | Potassium sorbate (preservative) |
| Gum Arabic | Caffeine |
| Acesulfame Potassium | Potassium Citrate |
| Sucralose | Potassium chloride |
| Calcium Disodium Edta | Gum Arabic |
| Glycerol | Acesulfame potassium (artificial sweetener) |
| Easter of Rosin | Sucralose (artificial sweetener) |
| Niacinamide | Red 40 (coloring) |
| Panax Ginseng Root Extracts | Calcium disodium EDTA |
| Calcium Pantothenate | Salt |
| Yerba Mate Extracts | Blue 1 (coloring) |
| Beta Carotene | – |
| Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | – |
Caffeine
Both Game Fuel and Kickstart include 90mg of caffeine, a number I find ideal.
Caffeine, the most important component in any energy beverage, delivers the majority of the benefits, ranging from increased alertness to faster reaction times. It’s rather enjoyable.
Given that energy drinks can contain up to 300mg of caffeine per serving, Both Game Fuel and Kickstart have a standard amount of caffeine in their formula, which is only 90mg.
As a result, if you’re caffeine sensitive or new to energy drinks, both Game Fuel and kickstart may be a better option for you due to their lower caffeine dosage.
Caffeine intake for adults should not exceed 400mg, according to breakdowns. If you take more caffeine than that, you run the risk of developing major health subjects such as:
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shakiness
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
Can you Drink Game Fuel and Kickstart Energy Every day?
You can drink both every day if you want, but I wouldn’t.
Although both Game Fuel and Kickstart Energy include 90mg of caffeine, which is less than the recommended daily caffeine intake, consuming it daily is unhealthy and can be harmful.
Caffeine addiction can occur after using 90mg of caffeine per day, resulting in a number of medical problems.
Kickstart energy contains 21g of sugar per serving. On a daily basis, this is a large amount of sugar to ingest. Consuming this much sugar daily can result in diabetes as well as a number of other health hazards, including:
- Increased weight
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- High blood pressure
- Wrinkles
- Joint pain
- Sleep issues
Comparison of Price: Game Fuel Vs. Kickstart
A 12-can pack of Game Fuel costs about $25 without delivery or about $2 per can.
A 12-can pack of Kickstart energy costs approximately $26. This means that a single can will cost around $2.16 before shipping.
So, Game Fuel is not only cheaper than Kickstart Energy but also includes the necessary ingredients to help your body stay healthy and nourished.
Comparison of Flavor: Game Fuel Vs. Kickstart
Let’s list the flavors of Game Fuel and Kickstart Energy below.
Game Fuel
If you want something different, Game Fuel has a limited selection of fruity flavors:
- Cherry Burst
- Berry Blast
- Original Dew
- Tropical Strike
- Orange Storm
Game Fuel had a clean, sharp flavor with a hint of fruity freshness.
Despite the sour aftertaste, I was able to drink the beverage normally. The first sip gave me an unusual feeling though.
Nonetheless, I remembered the delicious original flavor.
Kickstart Energy
There are around nine flavors for Kickstart Energy:
- Original Dew
- Orange Citrus
- Black Cherry
- Midnight Grape
- Fruit Punch
- Mango Lime
- Pineapple Orange Mango
- Blueberry Pomegranate
- Raspberry Citrus
Mountain Dew Kickstart tastes identical to regular Mountain Dew, but it gives a higher energy boost than the soda version. If you like Mountain Dew, you’ll enjoy Kickstart.
As previously stated, Mountain Dew Kickstart energy drink is quite sweet due to the use of both sugar and artificial sweeteners.
If you like fruity flavors, Mountain Dew Kickstart has a variety of fruit-based flavors to sample, as well as fruit concentrates making it taste more realistic and similar to the real thing.
Which one is better: Game Fuel or Kickstart Energy?
Game Fuel, in my opinion, outperforms Kickstart Energy in terms of effectiveness and long-term results. Given the sugar and calorie content of Kickstart Energy, it’s easy to see why I did.
Game Fuel contains less sugar and less caffeine. However, it only comes in a few flavors, whereas Kickstart energy comes in many.
Kickstart drink is the way to go if you need a more potent energy drink to help you achieve your goals. But, Game Fuel can be the drink for you if you want to stay healthy while having a moderate energy blast.
I’ve added a youtube video that I think will amuse you.
Alternatives to Game Fuel and Kickstart Energy
Here’s a quick list of additional amazing energy drinks that are similar to Game Fuel and Kickstart Energy to get you started:
- Bang
- Red Bull
- Reign
- Rockstar
- 3D Energy
- Celsius
- G Fuel Cans
- C4 Energy
- Full Throttle
- Raze Energy
- AMP Energy
Best Alternative- REIZE (Top Pick)
REIZE is a powdered energy drink that comes in a suitable 4g sachet. It contains no sugar, 50mg of caffeine, and only 11 calories per serving.
REIZE also contains a unique blend of taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins, all of which work together to provide you with the best energy boost for a long gaming session without the sugar crash. Not to forget the nourishment this energy drink provides through the vitamins present in it.
What’s the best part? REIZE ships right to your door front for about $1 for each drink.
That’s amazing value, and it’s far less expensive, so TRY REIZE TODAY!
Bottom Line
- Kickstart Energy, in my opinion, has been surpassed by Game Fuel. Given the sugar and calorie content of Kickstart Energy, it’s simple to see why I chose it.
- Game Fuel has a minimal sugar content and a small amount of caffeine. However, unlike Kickstart energy drinks, which come in a variety of flavors, it only comes in a few.
- A few benefits that can be found in both Game Fuel and Kickstart have been given below.
- Provides energy
- Increases alertness
- Tastes good
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