Enjoy the heat of the summer with these breezy games to get you in the mood for that sunny feeling.
We're smack-dab in the middle of summer, and the weather is gorgeous outside. What better time to play video games?
If you burn instead of tan or the summer sun makes you yearn for the air conditioning, you can trade traditional summer festivities like swimming and heading to the beach for some of these awesome summery video games instead.
Here are some of the hottest summer-centric games you can jump into all season long, until lifeguards around the world blow their whistles for the last time and until the first fall breezes start rolling in. These games embody the feeling of summer through and through.
Super Mario Sunshine
Source: Nintendo
Super Mario Sunshine originally debuted on the GameCube, but it made its way to the Switch alongside two of other Mario's greatest hits with a fresh new coat of HD paint. It follows Mario as he makes his way to the tropical paradise of Isle Delfino. There, he comes face to face with an evil Mario doppelganger that's causing trouble across the whole island. Mario has to use his wits and his brand new F.L.U.D.D. backpack to douse his enemy with water and clean up all the sludge he's left in his wake. Gorgeous, blue waters, sunny skies, and breathtaking beaches are waiting for you in this coastal adventure that feels more like going on vacation than playing a Mario game.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Source: Nintendo
Typically, adventures in the Zelda franchise are picturesque and exciting. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes the cake, though. Even though Hyrule is overgrown with Guardians (and the people) crying out for help, there's so much beauty to be found in the game. It's gorgeous from top to bottom, and an absolute pleasure to traverse, even though the entire journey is fraught with danger for Link. You'll feel like you're on your own summer vacation to an unknown place when jumping into Breath of the Wild.
Splatoon 2
There are few things that scream summer more than the world of Splatoon. The second game in the series expanded on the first one significantly, opening up more of the ocean to players as they swim around as squid kids and douse the entire area in ink. As you slip and slide around across various arenas, you work to eliminate other inklings from each round. Your arsenal consists of paint rollers, water gun-like arms, and giant paintbrushes as you work to paint the marinas and beaches with neon colors and emerge victorious. It's perfect for summoning those summer vibes.
Abzu
Source: Giant Squid
If you've ever wanted to go diving in a vast, seemingly endless sea, Abzu is the next best thing. Summer is all about taking vacations, but if you couldn't make it out to the ocean, you can dive in with this wordless, breathtaking adventure. As you explore vast areas teeming with marine life, you'll come face to face with sharks, solve puzzles, and even bring life back to the ocean after accomplishing all the game's required feats. It's beautiful, calming, and absolutely perfect for a July weekend.
Firewatch
Source: Campo Santo
Sometimes, the perfect summer day is all about how gorgeous the world is when the sun is going down. You'll see environments and sunsets to die for in the adventure game Firewatch. Following a fire lookout who works in the Shoshone National Forest, you work to investigate a series of secrets relating to lookouts dotting the forest as well as get to know the other lookouts. It's a strange, summery time that will have you on the edge of your seat as you, well, watch for fires and explore the forest grounds bathed in renewing sunlight. It's a bit slower-paced than some of the games you might be used to, but it's a journey well worth taking.
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Want to cool off with some sweet gaming conversations? Join the official SteelSeries Discord to chat all summer long -- and even after that!
