[Play Report] "Watermelon Game Planet" Feels Fresh with New Systems Like "Ultra Synchro" and "Sharing Communication"

Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/945/G094541/20251106063/

Writer: Naito Hasami | 2025/11/07 03:00 (UTC)

Aladdin X has announced that its new title, “Suika Game Planet” (available for Switch2 / Switch), will be released exclusively as a digital download in December 2025. The price is 240 yen for the Switch version and 300 yen for the Switch2 version (both inclusive of tax).

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Originally, Suika Game launched in April 2021 as a built-in app for the projector “popIn Aladdin,” and was later released as a Switch game on December 9, 2021. With its simple yet addictive premise—bumping together identical fruits inside a box to evolve them into watermelons—the game quickly became popular after gaining widespread attention through streaming platforms and social media two years after release in 2023.

As of now, Suika Game has surpassed 12 million total downloads, earning numerous accolades including the “Japan Game Awards Movement Prize,” ranking 7th on Nikkei Trendy’s “Best 30 Products of 2024,” and winning Google Play’s “Best of 2024 Indie Award.”

Additionally, in 2025, Suika Game has collaborated with major brands such as McDonald’s Japan and the Japan Racing Association (JRA), garnered attention on Apple Arcade’s US rankings, secured physical sales in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and expanded merchandise offerings—showcasing strong momentum both domestically and internationally.

iPhone iPad Android

“Suika Game” now features Hello Kitty design. “Hello Kitty’s Happy Suika Game” launches exclusively for Happy Meal buyers

On July 11, 2025, Aladdin X launched the online game “Hello Kitty’s Happy Suika Game” as a limited-time collaboration with McDonald’s Japan. The game is available exclusively to customers who purchase a Hello Kitty-themed Happy Meal at participating McDonald’s locations nationwide.

[2025/07/11 13:50]

iPhone iPad Android

“Suika Game” collaborates with JRA’s legendary racehorses. New browser game “Meiba Game” launches—connect the legends’ rings!

On August 22, 2025, Aladdin X released the online browser game “Meiba Game” as a limited-time event running until November 21 at 18:59. This collaboration coincides with JRA’s “JRA Anniversary” event on September 15 and marks another crossover title featuring “Suika Game.”

[2025/08/22 13:06]

With the upcoming release of “Suika Game Planet,” a media preview event was held to allow journalists and reviewers an early look at the game. Here’s our firsthand impression.

※The content experienced here is from a development build, so final specifications may differ slightly.

Official Site for “Suika Game Planet”

The stage shifts to space: “Suika Game” retains its laid-back charm while introducing new mechanics like “Hyper Sync”

Let’s take a look at the gameplay screen. While the core rule—bumping identical fruits together to evolve them into watermelons—and the 11 fruit types remain unchanged from the previous game, this time there is no box for dropping fruits. Instead, a circular, bubble-like “Planet” floats in the center of the screen.

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Players control a spaceship carrying their character, Poppie, navigating around the outer edge of the screen in 360 degrees to drop fruits from any angle. The dropped fruits naturally gather toward the center of the Planet, and players must adjust angles strategically as they work toward evolving the fruit into a watermelon.

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In the previous version, unpredictable physics sometimes caused fruits to bounce off in unexpected directions—this “unpredictability” contributed to its exciting charm. However, in this new installment, fruit behavior has been smoothed out for better predictability, making chain reactions much easier to anticipate.

Even if a fruit slightly extends beyond the Planet’s edge, surface tension helps keep it contained. And even if overflow occurs past the boundary line, as long as players restore balance within a few seconds by continuing evolution, the game won’t end in Game Over. This careful balance maintains both the series’ relaxed charm and the thrilling tension of pushing limits.

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Beyond simply dropping fruits, a major new feature introduced here is the “Hyper Sync” system. Every time you bump identical fruits together to evolve them, a meter in the lower right corner—the “Hyper Sync Gauge”—fills up. Once full, it triggers a special event known as “Hyper Sync Time.”

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The joyful faces during Hyper Sync Time, the relaxed expressions afterward… The fruit characters’ cute facial animations are delightful! Thumbnail image No.006 / [Play Report] “Suika Game Planet” features new systems like “Hyper Sync” and “Sharing Communication,” enhancing gameplay experience

During Hyper Sync Time, evolving fruits extends the remaining time slightly and grants bonus points. This makes it a valuable tool for players aiming to maximize their score—but if you drop fruits too hastily in your eagerness, mistakes or clumsy inputs can quickly fill up the screen. Mastering this delicate balance between aggression and restraint is key.

Moreover, Hyper Sync Time isn’t mandatory for continuing gameplay, nor does failing to use it incur any penalties. This gives players freedom to engage when they feel ready—adding a relaxed, forgiving quality that preserves Suika Game’s enduring charm.

Another standout feature in this release is the cooperative play via “Sharing Communication,” available only on Switch2. Players with nearby Switch or Switch2 consoles can connect and team up for co-op gameplay with up to four players.

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The Planet’s size remains the same as in solo mode, so if multiple players drop fruits carelessly, the screen fills up rapidly. Strategically considering other players’ actions adds a whole new layer of fun compared to single-player play—making it highly recommended for friends to experience together after release.

Everyone wanted to become a watermelon!? Discovering “Suika Game’s” world setting, revealed for the first time

This game features a story that explores the backstories of fruits and Poppie. According to the narrative, all fruits share one common wish: to become watermelons. That’s why Poppie has come to Planet—to fulfill their dreams.

From the intro movie, it appears “Suika Game Planet” is set in an era earlier than that of the original “Suika Game.” Thumbnail image No.010 / [Play Report] “Suika Game Planet” features new systems like “Hyper Sync” and “Sharing Communication,” enhancing gameplay experience Thumbnail image No.011 / [Play Report] “Suika Game Planet” features new systems like “Hyper Sync” and “Sharing Communication,” enhancing gameplay experience Thumbnail image No.012 / [Play Report] “Suika Game Planet” features new systems like “Hyper Sync” and “Sharing Communication,” enhancing gameplay experience

Additionally, the Research Records section offers detailed character data and explanations of various phenomena occurring in-game. You’ll learn that evolution (Sync) is triggered by fruits’ deep desire to become watermelons, and gain insight into how Hyper Sync Time works—offering a wealth of endearing and intriguing lore.

The characters feel surprisingly realistic… Thumbnail image No.013 / [Play Report] “Suika Game Planet” features new systems like “Hyper Sync” and “Sharing Communication,” enhancing gameplay experience Thumbnail image No.014 / [Play Report] “Suika Game Planet” features new systems like “Hyper Sync” and “Sharing Communication,” enhancing gameplay experience

A shocking revelation: The true nature of fruits is that they are “lifeforms with many mysteries”—not pure fruit at all!?

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“Suika Game Planet” retains the original game’s laid-back, easy-to-play charm and endearing, approachable characters while offering a fresh experience through new mechanics like Hyper Sync Time.

According to staff present at the preview event, development focused on preserving Suika Game’s core “laid-back” appeal as an asset—while striving to exceed player expectations. They emphasized maintaining humility toward their players’ contributions and never forgetting how much the game has grown thanks to them.

Eliminating unfair Game Overs caused by physics glitches and keeping pricing at a reasonable level similar to the previous title were deliberate choices rooted in this philosophy.

Post-release, plans include expanding into smartphone versions as well, with downloadable content (DLC) such as paid skins also scheduled for release. Whether you’re returning to Suika Game after playing the original or experiencing it for the first time, “Suika Game Planet” is a delightful game full of warmth and playful charm.

Official Site for “Suika Game Planet”