April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day is an annual celebration in some European and Western countries commemorated on April 1 by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. The jokes and their victims are called April fools. People playing April Fool jokes often expose their prank by shouting "April fool(s)" at the unfortunate victim(s). Some newspapers, magazines and other published media report fake stories, which are usually explained the next day or below the news section in smaller letters. Although popular since the 19th century, the day is not a public holiday in any country.

Street Fighter jokes
Capcom made a number of Street Fighter jokes on April Fools, mainly in their official website. The Street Fighter fandom also made several jokes, but only "official" and relevant jokes are listed below.

1992
The Sheng Long mistranslation spawned rumors about the existence of a Sheng Long character in the game, and players sent letters to video game publications attempting to confirm the character's existence. In the April 1992 issue EGM first started the Sheng Long rumor with a hoax article. He is described to have over-the-top powers, being the fastest and strongest character.

The joke became an international sensation when publications from Europe, Hong Kong and other countries reprinted the trick without verifying it or asking EGM's permission. A Hong Kong comic based on Street Fighter II by Jademan Comics altered their story to include the character. Players tried unsuccessfully for weeks to unlock Sheng Long, until it was revealed in the December issue of EGM that it was a hoax, with the staff stating they were surprised at the worldwide coverage the joke had received.

1997
During the development of Street Fighter III, fans discussed the prospect of Sheng Long's inclusion in the new title. Around the release of Street Fighter III: New Generation, EGM later revived this rumor with an issue in April 1997, where they actually gave him a defined appearance and design, and further explained his backstory. However, the method to get him was obscured after "Getting 6 perfects" additionally, the words "April Fools" were spelled out in the first letter of the first ten sentences of the article.

The character's design was expanded on greatly in the article; Sheng Long was now stated to be the international name for the character Gouken, much like Akuma is the international name for Gouki. His profile listed in the article paralleled Gouken's, but instead of Akuma killing him he was knocked into a raging river. The result gave him a scar over his eye, and a desire to get revenge on his brother.

2017
Shadaloo Combat Research Institute included a profile for Sheng Long for one day.

2018
For one day, the Shadaloo Combat Research Institute featured a card game named Hado Stone, where Ed must defeat Balrog, Vega, Sagat, and M. Bison.

2019
Shadaloo Combat Research Institute included a small Hi Score Girl comic that ends with Haruo and Akira seeing that the game 2019 was released. 2019 is a parody of the 194X series that can be played on a PC or mobile phone. Instead of planes, the player controls G and fights against Shadaloo in four stages, with Balrog, Vega, Sagat, and M. Bison appearing as bosses and Shadaloo Soldiers (and tigers in Sagat's stage) appearing as enemies. G is constantly shooting from his finger and is able to release a powerful "CA Bomb" that covers the whole screen.

The site also included a section that is based on the Gamest magazine, which talks how the game was created and reveals that if the player reaches the final boss without using a continue, a secret opponent will appear.