Top April Fools’ Video Game Pranks

Apr 25, 2024

The Best Video Game April Fools’ Gags of 2024 – IGN Daily Fix

April 1st: A Day of Pranks and Surprises

On April Fool’s Day, the internet is awash with fake news and clever pranks that fuel a day of confusion and laughter. Among the best video game gags of 2024, IGN highlights some standout hoaxes and quirky announcements that caught the community by surprise.

The Virtual Boy Pro: A Nintendo Dream Come “AR”

IGN kicked off the festivities with a fake trailer for The Virtual Boy Pro, a whimsical sequel to the failed Nintendo 3D console. This augmented reality device promised a unique gaming experience that cleverly tapped into nostalgia while delivering a modern twist. Despite the impossibility of such a device with the current Nintendo Switch setup, the creativity and humor behind the hoax delighted fans.

Sleeping Tournament and Floppy Disc Cyberpunk 2077

The Pokémon Company raised eyebrows with a hoax involving a Pokémon Sleep tournament, where contestants would compete to prove their slumber supremacy in an 8-hour and 30-minute challenge. Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red teased a retro-inspired physical edition of Cyberpunk 2077 on floppy discs, sparking nostalgia and amusement among collectors.

Duckside and Razer Cthulhu: Oddities in the Gaming World

In a surprising twist, a real game called Duckside, blending PVP, PVE, flying, crafting, and base-building elements with a quirky duck protagonist, brought a touch of whimsy to the gaming landscape. On the other hand, the Razer Cthulhu gaming chair, a parody product with AI-powered arms for gaming indulgence, offered a humorous take on futuristic gaming accessories.

Real News: Breakfast and Bizarre Collaborations

Transitioning from the realm of pranks to actual gaming news that seemed too bizarre to be true, IGN highlighted two breakfast-themed stories that underscored the quirky nature of the gaming industry.

Tekken 8 and Waffle House Stage: A Fighter’s Breakfast

Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada found himself bemused by persistent fan requests for a Waffle House-inspired stage in the game, sparking discussions and legal considerations due to the restaurant chain’s trademark. The potential addition of a Waffle House stage in Tekken 8 captured the imagination of fans, blending fighting games with the allure of late-night diner antics.

Sega x IHOP: Sonic the Hedgehog Menu Mania

In a surprising collaboration, Sega partnered with IHOP to launch a Sonic the Hedgehog-inspired menu featuring dishes like the Blue Blur Special and Knuckles Chicken Sandwich. The creative concoctions mirrored the whimsical world of Sonic, adding a dash of nostalgia and playfulness to the breakfast table.

Wrapping Up the Day with a “GTA 6” Surprise

As the day of pranks and surprises drew to a close, IGN cheekily teased an exclusive first look at Grand Theft Auto 6 running on last-gen consoles, only to reveal it as an April Fool’s joke. Despite the playful hoaxes and quirky announcements, the gaming community emerged unscathed, armed with laughter and a renewed sense of wonder.