Speaking of April Fools’ Day every April 1st, the most serious celebrations are probably the major Japanese companies. On the X (formerly Twitter) platform, you can see that they are all doing their best to attract consumers’ attention through various “alternative product announcements” or “fake announcements”. April Fool’s Day in 2026 is almost over. Let’s take a look. This time we found some creative April Fool’s Day marketing from Japanese game companies. If you see more interesting ones, please feel free to share them with everyone on the fan page.
Square Enix：
On April Fool’s Day, Square Enix announced that the development team discovered liquid metal slime on the seabed on March 31, and is looking forward to the rapid development brought about by the equipment. This “major discovery” sparked heated discussions among the player community.
【‼️速報‼️】
海底で「はぐレアメタル」が発見されました！
装備品の飛躍的な発展に期待が高まります✨#エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/NgdGTnd73y— ドラゴンクエスト宣伝担当 (@DQ_PR) March 31, 2026
Is the sequel to Platinum Studios’ “NieR: Automata” coming soon?
Among the many April Fools’ Day jokes, this may be what fans want to realize the most. The official X of “NieR: Automata” has released a new game “Neir: COSMIC HORROR” with an alternative horror game atmosphere. However, the content only has one picture, which is probably the April Fools’ Day content. There are also a bunch of fans leaving messages below, asking Yoko Taro to settle the score if they are fake XD:
【NieR 新プロジェクト 制作血定】
虚無に生まれるは、希望か。
それとも、救済という名の絶望か。━━━Coming Soon…… pic.twitter.com/nBdtqQEF12
— NieR公式PRアカウント (@NieR_JPN) March 31, 2026
Kadokawa Shoten: “Re:Zero” office romance adventure game
Kadokawa Corporation has used its creativity to adapt the popular light novel and animation “Re:Zero – Starting Office Life in Another World” into a female-oriented romance game “Re:Zero – Starting Office Life in Another World”. Officials claim that this game allows users to experience the daily office life of Japanese office workers with characters such as Emilia and Rem.
In addition, the classic love game “Tongshisheng” has also launched a Ma Niang-style “Tongshisheng”:
あの恋愛ADVゲームの金字塔が
ウマ娘バージョンでフルリメイク⁉️－あなただけの青春がこの中にある…#AprilFoolsDay #エープリルフール pic.twitter.com/IhncYINtr1
— 𝕏AKIO＠AIart (@AKIONICS) April 1, 2026
Bandai Namco: Farming Goku and Taiko Master join the battle
Bandai Namco announced that “Farming Goku” will join the character lineup of “Dragon Ball Legends” and also released a promotional video called “Taiko no Master Spirits”.
／
ドン！カッ！
＼いつものドリフト音ではなく、聞こえてきたのは太鼓の音！？
「ドリフトスピリッツ」……ではなく「太鼓の達人スピリッツ」として、どんちゃん、かっちゃんが魂のドリフトバトルを魅せる！🔥🥁#ドリスピ #太鼓の達人 #エイプリルフール #コラボは本当 pic.twitter.com/1sWede6odg
— ドリフトスピリッツ公式 (@drispi_info) March 31, 2026
Key: Solemnly declare that “there will be no April Fool’s Day this year”
Unlike other game companies, Key, a well-known visual novel developer, chose to make a solemn announcement on April Fools’ Day: “Because we are fully committed to the development of “anemoi”, there will be no April Fools’ Day jokes this year. Really, no. Please forgive me.” This “no joke announcement” has become one of the most creative April Fools’ Day marketing this year.
【お知らせ】
本年度の4月1日、エイプリルフールはanemoi開発に全力だった為、何もありません。
本当にありません。
Key開発スタッフ一同
KRAFTON: “PUBG” limited time hide and seek mode
KRAFTON launches a limited-time “Prop Hunt” mode for “PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS”. Players can hide and chase between three hunters and nine pretenders. Interestingly, if a hunter shoots at the wrong target (such as a toilet or a bush instead of an actual player), they will instead lose health.
The Pokémon Company: Inflatable fake tree that waves
The Pokemon Company continues its April Fools’ Day tradition and “announces” the launch of a new product line “Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Sudowoodos”. The decorations are designed to “confuse neighbors” and “protect crops.”
The above are some April Fools’ Day jokes from Japanese game companies that I have found so far. To be honest, they seem a bit regressive and not very funny. Have you seen any more interesting game jokes? You are also welcome to share it for everyone to laugh at.
Source: KOCPC Chinese