21. Sonic Rush Adventure – Blaze
Life starts with a sunny day!
One of the more underrated Sonic titles on the Nintendo DS is the often overlooked sequel to Sonic Rush. This adventure is set on an Archipelago of tropical-themed islands that Sonic and Tails wash up on the sandy coasts of. Meet Marine the Raccoon, a young sailor living on Southern Island who vows to help Sonic and Tails return home. But there will be plenty of time for adventure and an opportunity to do a little exploring aboard the SS Marine! You can expect locales like lush jungles, coral-filled caves, and a mysterious pirate ship—perfect for a summer vibe.
The unique element of Rush Adventure is the method of travelling to the other islands via a variety of watercraft. You can pull off epic tricks on the jet ski or battle with pirates aboard the sail ship. You can cruise the open seas in search of hidden islands and the elusive Johnny to get back your Chaos Emeralds.
Join up with a familiar feline, Blaze the Cat, as she joins your adventure to save the southern islands from Eggman Nega and his fiendish crew. All in order to find and return the Jeweled Scepter to its rightful owner and return home!
22. Senran Kagura Peach Beach Splash – Blaze
Splatoon, but with anime girls?
A mainline entry in the Senran Kagura series, Peach Beach Splash is a third-person shooter, but rather than bullets, you shoot your foes with water pistols. You don’t need any prior experience with the series: all you need here is a need to shoot anime girls with water. Looking for a way to cool off in the heat? Join the busty ninjas in a water gun showdown. Team up with shinobi from across the franchise to battle through the main story or battle matches with customizable water guns, from a single handgun to a water bomb launcher.
The shinobi also have plenty of options to customise them with, such as new hairstyles and outfits. There are also special cards to upgrade your abilities and moves to add an extra layer of tactics to each match. The game has lots of risque moments, which long-time fans will be prepared for but new fans might not, especially when you have to finish off opponents by blasting off their bikinis. While this may not be to everyone’s tastes, it’s certainly a silly romp in a genre that often takes itself too seriously.
It also boasts an online battle mode to play with friends in standard death matches and more involved modes like tower defense. So pick your best girl and blast away this summer!
23. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom – Kane
Ahh… Bikini Bottom… – The French Guy
Let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of SpongeBob. This might get me a little heat, but I’ve just never jived with the style of humour. One or two jokes will land and make me chuckle, but the next 12 will make me wince.
That being said, I like Battle for Bikini Bottom. I think the concept of SpongeBob works much better for me in game form. 3D platformer is the perfect genre to make use of his cartoony abilities, and when I hear the character’s catchphrases while playing a game, suddenly they’re not jokes that don’t land, they’re just odd bits of game dialogue. Which suits me fine.
If I had to pin down why I’ve suggested it for this list, I’d have to say it’s the bright colour palette, cheerful atmosphere and the constant nautical theme that gives it a summer feel for me.
24. Bugsnax – Riley
You are what you eat
Bugsnax is a surreal, thought-provoking, and intense experience… in the guise of a colourful monster-catching game. This ain’t your typical monster tamer: you don’t raise or battle them, you catch and feed them to the island residents to… interesting effects. What could’ve been a silly game about sentient food creatures saying their names in silly ways (like the Pokémon anime) is actually very thoughtful and deep. You spend time with each resident, learning about them and what made them come to this island, and you get to know them on an intimate level.
The island is home to biomes that range from stunning tundras to sun-drenched beaches, and even a desert hidden in the back. But spending time in the village in the evening, when everyone’s sat around the campfire chatting away, really feels like summertime, especially when they throw parties. It makes me think of summer camps and other trips away from civilisation: you get to know everyone so much better than before. I feel like the disconnect, the nature of the tasks you complete and the intimate conversations you get to have embody all things summer should represent. Plus, Bunger exists, so play it anyway.
25. Burnout Paradise – Riley
This is DJ Atomika again, trying to sound cool but still not pulling it off. Someone please, put me out of my misery.
Whilst Burnout is typically associated with visceral high-speed chases and metal-crunching crashes, Paradise puts a spin on things by taking those exact same elements and putting them in an LA-inspired beachfront city. From long sandy beaches to palm trees flooding the view of the waterfronts, it is like street racing on holiday. Being the first open world title in the series (and the last game, somehow) the city is memorable and enticing as you can fly across it by car or bike (or even the DeLorean if you’re so inclined), competing in races and challenges.
There’s even an expansion across a large bridge called “Big Surf Island”, which takes the tropical summer vibes and dials it to 11. There’s a large lighthouse, plenty of hotels and even more beaches to tear up as you take down your foes, tour across the map and crash your way to victory! The soundtrack has a very 2008 feel to it (which is when the game came out… so naturally), but it’s upbeat, catchy and very summer day-focused; perfect for those long hot days!
Have a great summer!
With all of these game suggestions, I would like to wish you all a great summer holiday. Even though gaming can be a fun pastime, I would also like to encourage you to spend some time outdoors! But remember to stay hydrated and lather your skin in a quality sunscreen!
Check out our other themed lists here!
Divided provided by @gigittamic on Tumblr
Just a dude that plays games. Ill write stuff on here once in a blue moon
He/Him
A flamboyant ultra nerd, Dave participates in the Underlevelled Tournament both for the thrill of the fight, and to avenge the orphans lost in the climax of the previous tournament.
Born: London
Height: ???
Weight: ???
Nen Type: Manipulator
Classes: Editor, Dancer,
Hobbies: street dance, collecting manga volumes, reading, editing
Likes: short-to-medium walks on the beach, pointing out how things can and will be misconstrued as racism, fighting games, RPGs, anime, Hades, alternative hip hop, conscious hip hop, Mara Wilson, overly long bios, ice-cream
Dislikes: insincere media, his own uncanny resemblance to Richard Ayoade, mayonnaise
Sean Hollyman is an avid fan of action figures, videogames and sometimes other things too. When he's not labourously trying to earn platinum trophies for games that he otherwise probably wouldn't care about, Sean can often be found taking photos of his Transformers in embarrassing situations.
Favorite Food: Roast Dinner
Least Favorite Food: ANYTHING with mayonnaise in it
You'll see me everywhere here. Technically I own the place but I don't treat it like that. Mostly I stream and fix things when they break. You might find me writing an odd article or two too. Hope you enjoy the site!
Melltith, or Melty, enjoys cosier or slower paced games and likes to take her time with things.
She's a very crafty person who will throw her all into a multitude of new projects and skills.
Video game completionist and 3D platformer connoisseur, Riley is a fan of the whimsical frenzy of bright and colourful characters that blessed us in the late 90's. Their favourite game's are Spyro, Persona 5 and Super Mario Sunshine.