April Fools is here, and what better way to celebrate this month of fun and mischief than by highlighting games that are so sexually suggestive that people often forget these are just fictional characters?
Here are the best gooner games I can think of. This isn’t a ranking or a representation of gaming as a whole—just a list of titles that have undeniably amassed a following, largely due to their cast of attractive characters. Whether you’re male, female, trans, non-binary, or still figuring things out, there are plenty of characters here to ‘goon’ over—or whatever the kids call it these days.
Stellar Blade / NieR: Automata
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+ 8Clear winners in the modern gooner game category, these two even sparked a bit of controversy on your local social media. Both Stellar Blade by Shift Up and NieR: Automata by Yoko Taro have cultivated an audience that finds androids in skimpy clothing highly appealing. Yes, despite the existential horrors they face in their respective narratives, it’s evident that another major design goal was to make Eve and 2B as visually striking as possible.
Zenless Zone Zero
click to enlarge + 8This applies to all gacha games, really. HoyoVerse’s massive lineup of 3D characters has created cult followings for nearly every character. Whether they’re S Rank or A Rank, HoyoVerse knows exactly how to cater to an audience easily swayed by visual appeal (and fetishes). Zenless Zone Zero is no exception, featuring characters designed to fit every preference—whether it’s the hulking bear Ben Bigger, the voluptuous Nicole, or the sleepy, shark-tailed Ellen.
It’s all about appealing to as many audiences as possible and HoyoVerse has done this for a long, long time.
Tekken 8
click to enlarge + 8When it comes to fighting games, Tekken isn't afraid to show skin for its entire cast. Built with Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 takes this to new heights, showcasing the visual appeal of its diverse roster of characters from various countries. From Kazuya's well-defined abs, Alisa's robotic appendages, to the endless ways you can customize Reina’s outfit, Tekken 8 caters to all forms of attraction within the King of Iron Fist tournament.
Overwatch
Say what you will about Blizzard’s Overwatch, but it remains one of the top games that spawned an entirely new breed of 3D art—one we dare not discuss in detail here. The game is a buffet of iconic characters, all thanks to Blizzard’s once-legendary design team. From the purple-skinned assassin Widowmaker to the mech-riding Korean gamer D.Va, the rootin’ tootin’ cowboy Cassidy, and the massive vanguard Reinhardt, Overwatch had something for everyone.
click to enlarge + 8Since its release, Overwatch has generated endless pages of adult content. Blizzard is either deeply disappointed in what the community has done with its creations—or secretly proud of just how many attractive characters they designed across all shapes and sizes.
Marvel Rivals
If Overwatch paved the way, Marvel Rivals sprinted right down that path. Apart from featuring original Marvel characters, Rivals borrows heavily from Overwatch’s mechanics—and, unsurprisingly, has also attracted the same ‘gooner’ crowd.
click to enlarge + 8Much like Overwatch, Marvel Rivals has created a global phenomenon as an addictive hero shooter—inevitably leading to gamers experiencing some, uh, hormonal spikes after seeing characters like Psylocke, Invisible Woman, and a mask-free Peter Parker.
At least we got a Venom Twerk Emote for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
Dead or Alive
When it comes to fighting games, "goonable" characters aren’t usually the top priority. Mechanics, balance, and responsiveness should come first. But Dead or Alive? That’s a different story.
click to enlarge + 8Created during a time when video games could get away with almost anything, Dead or Alive fully embraced its reputation for featuring scantily clad women dripping in sweat. And, well, the rest is history.
Devil May Cry 5
Dante and Vergil awakened something in a whole generation of gamers back in 2005. Who would’ve thought Dante’s himbo energy would be so attractive? Or that Vergil’s brooding, serious nature would make so many hearts race?
click to enlarge + 8Capcom’s iconic hack-and-slash franchise hit its stride with Devil May Cry 3, introducing characters so effortlessly cool they became instant icons. But it wasn’t just the men—the women in the series, like Lady and Trish, exuded their own femme fatale energy, holding their own in a universe filled with stylish demon hunters.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII is a game renowned for its gripping story and unforgettable cast. But over the years, it has also fostered a dedicated fandom of shippers. No matter where you go, the eternal debate between Team Aerith and Team Tifa rages on—sometimes even making its way into the Italian Senate.
click to enlarge + 8The game’s characters are designed to perfection—attractive, strong, and almost too ideal to exist in the real world. Tifa, in particular, has become the centerpiece of this phenomenon. Despite her kind-hearted nature, she has been heavily sexualized, and Square Enix is well aware of this—hence the infamous beach scene in Rebirth.
It’s one of the classic games that generated adult content over the years, and more VII content is still pouring in now that the Remakes are showing more detail from their characters.
There are plenty more games that understand their audience. "Goonable" games come in all shapes and sizes. While these franchises stand on their own merits, there will always be people whose hormones take the lead the moment they see an attractive character.
We’re all human, after all.
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