April Fools’ Day 2024 compilation

Welcome to the 2024 edition of Gematsu‘s annual April Fools’ Day games industry jokes and gags roundup, featuring a new Goddess of Victory: NIKKE shooter game, Palworld dating simulation game, a 16-bit edition of Kanon, and more.

April Fools’ Day 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | More

Find our annual roundup below. New jokes will be added as they are released.

■ Added at Press Time

● ACQUIRE – Ancient Weapon Holly

ACQUIRE and Aniplex have announced Ancient Weapon Holly sequel What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Holly?

● Aniplex – Fate/Grand Order

Introducing this year’s Fate/Grand Order April Fools’ Day game, Fate/Dream Striker. It is available now for iOS via App Store and Android via Google Play. Visit the official website here.

● Aniplex – Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story

Introducing “Magical Sugoroku.”

● Capcom – Resident Evil

Capcom has decided to get into the aviation business. Utilizing everything it has learned so far, the company will provide everyone with comfortable air travel with its “Capcom-Made Helicopters.”

● Cluster – 100 Million Person Virtual Reality World Now Open

● COLOPL – Quiz RPG: The World of Mystic Wiz

Announcing Spirit Fighter, a 2D fighting game co-developed by Capcom and featuring characters from Quiz RPG: The World of Mystic Wiz. Visit the official website here.

● Cygames – Brave Bang Bravern!

Introducing the Brave Bang Bravern!-themed frying pan, Brave Bang Frypan.

● Cygames – Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising will change its title to Fanblue Grantasy Rises: Versing with the game’s version 1.3 update on April 1.

With one single button press, you can versus any foe in versus! Unleash your skills with the push of just one button!

(Japanese version available here.)

● Cygames – Princess Connect! Re: Dive

Watch the “Karyl and Yabaival.” (This is a play on Pecorine’s catchphrase “yabai” and the word “survival.”)

● Cygames – Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

Watch the music video for “Cosmo Puella: Galaxy Adventure Story.” Visit the “Uma Stars” official website here.

● Drecom – Tokyo Stories

Bad news for anyone without an old CRT TV lying around.

● Entergram – Pixel Art RPG Kono Oozora ni Yakusoku o: Ritou no Hanayome Announced

Entergram has announced Kono Oozora ni Yakusoku o: Ritou no Hanayome, a pixel art RPG for consoles due out in spring 20024 (yes, 20,024). Graphics are by Suzumihara and music by Iwashiro Sounds.

● Happy Elements – Ensemble Stars!!

Announcing the Ensemble Stars!! movie Koisuru Scramble, premiering this spring. Visit the official website here.

● hololive production

Announcing the dating simulation game sequel Fall in love with hololive 2, a sequel to the 2022 April Fools’ Day game…

And the otome spin-off Fall in love with hololive For Girls:

● Koei Tecmo Games – Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator

This spring, the curtains will rise on a new school drama in Resleriana Academy, where a puni is the protagonist!

● Netmarble – Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds

Introducing the Suika Game-esque Ponpon Game, playable now.

● Nippon Ichi Software

The worst hiyashi chuuka in history from Nippon Ichi Software is coming this summer.

● Nippon Ichi Software – “Please Approve My Motion in the Dark Assembly to Increase My Screen Time!”: Voting on the Agenda Submitted by Asagai Has Opened!

Despite designating herself as the “protagonist of [Nippon Ichi Software’s] next game,” that next game never released, and she continued to make guest appearances in various Nippon Ichi Software titles, ultimately becoming the legendary “perpetual protagonist of [Nippon Ichi Software’s] next game.” She wants more screen time and submitted a motion to the Dark Assembly, but the vote was overwhelmingly against her. If Asagi can get your votes, she may be able to appear in every new Nippon Ichi Software title going forward. Vote now at the official website.

● Pocketpair – Dating Simulation Game Palworld: More Than Just Pals Announced

Pocketpair has announced dating simulation game Palworld: More Than Just Pals, as Palworld was originally conceived as a dating simulation game before becoming a survival crafting game. It will launch on April 1, 2025.

(Japanese trailer here.)

Here are the details:

You enter “Palpagos Private Academy” as a transfer student. There, you will meet unique friends and enjoy a not-so-typical school life surrounded by friendship and romance. It is up to you whether you stay friends, develop romance, or dismantle and eat the pals.

Takuro Mizobe, CEO of Pocketpair, Inc.

“Palworld was originally developed as a dating sim, but in a moment of indecision, it took the form survival crafting game. By the way, I am currently in a relationship with Cattiva.”

Characters

Katress

A transfer student with mysterious powers. She also has a cute side that gets a little jealous when you talk to other students.

Lovander

A senior who makes a love approach to new students every year. She calls her love approach “hunting.”

Chillet

A timid classmate. He makes secret requests of you in the classroom after school.

Zoe

A childhood friend. She lost her parents when she was very young and lives alone with her older brother, Grizzbolt. She is always cool and strong-willed, and for some reason, she is especially critical of you.

Black Maketeer

He is the student council president who has great trust from teachers and students. On the other hand, there are also black rumors.

Groundbreaking and Innovative Game Mechanics

Introducing a new language system called “Pal Language”. In conversations with the Pals, you can choose from a variety of options, such as “Paloo” and “Palp” to advance the dialogue. Use the Pal Language to strengthen the bond between you and the Pals.

Many other completely new systems will be introduced.

1. Hell Situation System – This system is triggered when approached by multiple Pals at the same time! The rejected Pals run amok and cause destruction. How will you overcome this crisis?
2. Battle Royal System – Massive battles of love between couples and potential lovers! Who will be the last couple?
3. Time Leap System – It’s ok if you fall in love with different Pals. This innovative system allows you to rewind time and try again if things don’t work out! Aim for the ideal happy ending!
4. Virtual Reality System – The latest virtual reality technology makes it possible to communicate with Pals in a more realistic way! The ultimate immersive experience where you can even feel the breath of pals!

Pals Finally Take Off Their Clothes!?

R18 version will also be released at the same time! Look forward to seeing naughty Pals taking off their uniforms! ♡

April 1st is April Fools Day.

● SEGA – Sonic the Hedgehog (Japan)

Sonic Man, from the 2006 title Sonic the Hedgehog, will be joining SEGA as a Sonic Ambassador. Read the full interview here.

● SHIFT UP – Goddess of Victory: NIKKE

SHIFT UP has announced Goddess of Victory: DEAD SPICY, a sequel to the adorable girl shooter Goddess of Victory: NIKKE. Due out for all platforms on April 1, 20XX.

(Japanese version available here.)

And here is an exclusive interview with the developers:

● Visual Arts – Kanon 16bit Edition

Watch the opening movie for Kanon 16bit Edition, due out on April 1, 2024. Visit the official website here.