If you've ventured into any sort of retail store in the last month or so you've no doubt seen the first wave of what will soon be full on Star Wars mania. As we edge ever closer to the release of The Force Awakens we're seeing more and more products bearing the Star Wars name. This isn't very surprising of course, Star Wars being the movie franchise that practically invented merchandising tie-ins.

Of course being the mega brand it is means every other company under the sun is trying to get their name associated with the whirlwind of success that is Star Wars. That means sometimes the products that end up bearing the Star Wars name don't always make much… well, sense. Here are five examples that stood out to us!

1. Star Wars Grapes

I can almost see the marketing meeting behind this decision. "OK, well, we sell grapes and Yoda is green, so why not just put him on the front label?" Do they think anyone is going to buy these just because they see Jedi Master Yoda on the label?

Well, they were right… because I did. Stop it. Don’t judge me.

2. Darth Vader Shower Head by Oxygenics

What better way to start the day than to stare directly into Darth Vader's eyes while he cries onto your face. Honestly, I don't know what they were thinking here. I suppose it'd be a fun accessory for a kid's bathroom or shower?

Oxygenics Darth Vader Shower Head
Credit: Oxygenics

3. Angry Birds Star Wars Costume

There is lazy, and then there is this. Even the guy wearing it in the picture seems to know this costume took less effort to design and produce than the latest Angry Birds spin off game. I do like that they decided to produce this in an adult size, as if you could walk into ANY Halloween party wearing this and not immediately lose all of your friends.

4. C-3PO Tape Dispenser

I'm sure to someone out there this was a great gift to receive. It probably sat proudly on their desk showing-off their Star Wars love to the whole office. However, what they didn’t realize was that the whole office would talk about that weird C-3PO-being-held-at-gunpoint tape dispenser on Frank's desk.

5. Dark Vador Burger

Before Burger King were turning people's poop green with their black halloween burger, French burger chain Quick were celebrating the release of The Phantom Menace in 3D with a black-bunned burger of their own. I guess this means the Dark Side could enter you?

The Dark Vador burger looks gross
Credit: The Guardian

This is hardly the tip of the iceberg of bad Star Wars products, but with the new movie about to come out it'll only get worse. Though as an unabashed Star Wars fan a few crappy products are a tiny price to pay because we're getting a new freaking Star Wars movie!