Welcome to the 2024 edition of Gematsu‘s annual April Fools’ Day games industry jokes and gags roundup, featuring a new Goddess of Victory: NIKKEshooter game, Palworld dating simulation game, a 16-bit edition of Kanon, and more.
Get ready for a double dose of action! Independent game studio WayForward is excited to announce that, due to popular demand, Bimmy and Jammy of the Double Dragon series are headed out of the lab and into River City as playable downloadable content characters in River City Girls 2! Fans have been talking about these hulking hunks ever since they appeared in Double Dragon Neon, and soon they will be available in River City Girls 2 across all platforms for which the game currently exists, including Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC via Steam.
“Ever since the Double Dragon and Kunio-kun universes collided in the first River City Girls, fans have been demanding more Double Dragon content,” enthuses WayForward Tyrannical Overlord Voldi Way. “We brought in Marian as a playable character, Billy and Jimmy as dojo masters, and Abobo as a boss, but what we keep hearing is ‘Where’s Bimmy? What about Bimmy?’ With this downloadable content, we can finally deliver.”
Both Bimmy and Jammy will be fully featured playable characters with unique melee attacks, throws, and special moves, including their trademark “ME BIMMY SMASH!” and the “Jammy Slammy.” The characters will also be thoroughly integrated into the game’s story mode (although, let’s be real, Bimmy and Jammy prolly never went to high school) and will feature newly recorded VO (well, grunts, anyway) by Scott Wolf and Mark Dacascos.
Look for the River City Girls 2 new Bimmy and Jammy downloadable content this April! Fools beware!
As per tradition, we have come up with the most cursed idea we could to celebrate. Say goodbye to horses—they’re not real anyway—and say hello to NECK. April Fools’ Mode will be available from April 1 to 8, 2024!
Valkyries wielding hefty warhammers, Conquerors brandishing graceful katanas, or Raiders swinging dainty parasols. Yes, you read that right! For a limited time only, the heroes of For Honor will be armed with weapons completely opposite to their usual arsenal… Don’t miss out on the fun—dive into the madness of For Honor‘s April Fools’ Event: Switcheroo !
Introducing Delta Force: Special Ops Prom, a dating simulator.
● Umeshu Lovers
First snippet on what we are currently working on at @UmeshuLovers Our next game, based on Akira Toriyama's amazing work, Ackman X Dr Slump ! pic.twitter.com/zOjvzQlCXG
SlamTen has partnered up with Starbreeze to create the most innovative and flavor-enriched soda ever put to market, Helmet Pop! This ingenious new drink is already banned in 14 countries, so get it quickly before they get us in the rest!
Hold your ground and repel all attacks of the new AI-controlled German elite troops in the “Operation: Breaking Dead” event. Additionally, while participating in these special missions, you can complete thematic tasks for unique rewards!
● Gaijin Entertainment – War Thunder
Start your engines and fill up your machine gun belts… oh what a beautiful day… what a beautiful day!
The beaches on the South Coast used to be packed with Sydneysiders trying to escape the city every weekend, but the only thing left on the Leisure Coast now is the colossal smelting plants and the endless fields of scrap. All Klo can do is hit the S3PF training pool and dream of her only little beach episode that will never happen. Watch the summer promotional video for Samurai Unicorn.
Hey! It's about time we revealed the MC's name. We've seen a few theories about him/her being called Yin (being the complementary opposite to Yang), or simply Sifu, but… it's a bit more subtle than that!
Introducing Flesh! A brand NEW product for the mortally challenged amongst us. Flesh is a feast in a bottle packed with all 666 vital nutrients an undead needs to shamble through their day. Whether it’s a quick pick me up or a slow burial you need, our rot-in-a-bottle has it all. Be Cool. Drink Flesh.
Immerse yourself in the world of “Tiny Wars” with Bohemia Interactive’s latest update for Arma Reforger! Lead your army of miniature warriors into battle and relive the joy of childhood military games.
“Did you know that skincare is our SECOND biggest passion in life, right after pixels? While that might seem unexpected, it’s 100 percent true. That’s why we decided to formulate D by Yacht (Club Games)—our unique spin on over-the-counter (and from the ground) skincare.”
— SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim (@saekogame) March 31, 2024
■ Added March 31 at 11:35 p.m.
● Arc System Works – Guilty Gear: Strive
A 632,146-page anthology by Arc System Works creators will be released on April 1, 2175. Sample pages available here. Users who pre-order by April 8, 2024 will receive a code for a new Guilty Gear: Strive downloadable content character to be revealed today at 18:00 JST.
BREAKING: A real leaked banner for the RE1 Remake was snagged before it got taken down from the cloud drive. Looks like they'll be launching this project before RE9. pic.twitter.com/ZCZSoV6sHl
The official website for REYNATIS has been updated with new key artwork that resembles the key artwork for NEO: The World Ends With You, which is also set in Shibuya.
Introducing the Razer Cthulhu—the ultimate gaming chair. Never have to leave your chair again as eight independent robotic arms cater to your every need. Learn more at the official website.
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.
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.”
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.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising will change its title to Fanblue Grantasy Rises: Versing with the game’s version 1.3 update on April 1.
📢 TITLE CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 With the Version 1.30 update arriving tomorrow, GBVSR will now operate under a new title: Fanblue Grantasy Rises: Versing
— Tokyo Stories Game (in dev.) (@tky_stories) March 31, 2024
● 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.
● 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.
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.
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?
Battle Royal System – Massive battles of love between couples and potential lovers! Who will be the last couple?
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!
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 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.
