Ten Games to Beat the Sweltering Heat
Stay Cool This Summer

NEWS

By Michelle Curtis on July 10, 2014 at 11:47am

One look at the Weather Channel is all it takes to keep us from wanting to go outside during the summer. With the temps ranging into the 90s (for those of you in the South, that humidity makes it feel more like the 100s), we're much more inclined to stay indoors.

But what kind of summer vacation can you have without leaving your house? Don't worry. I've got that all planned out. We've compiled my own personal Top 10 list of video games that are guaranteed to keep you cool and ensure that this summer will still be awesome!

#10 Skateboarding with “Hudson's Adventure Island” (NES, MSX, Gameboy, GBA, Virtual Console)

What is summer without recreational sports? In “Adventure Island,” you play as Master Higgins who goes to the aforementioned island to save Princess Leilani from the clutches of the Evil Witch Doctor. Along the way, he cracks open a few eggs to find items to help him in his quest. One such item is a skateboard! If you're skilled (or lucky) enough, you travel a good distance before biting it. Added bonus: Master Higgins totally looks like a tourist in his grass skirt and baseball hat.

#9 Tend to your garden in “Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time” (iOS, Android)

The long-awaited sequel to the wildly successful “Plants vs. Zombies” is perfect for summer (or anytime)! As in the original, you plant a variety of plants to defend against an onslaught of the undead. However, this one has you traveling through time, plopping you into such places as Ancient Egypt and even the American Wild West. How some of those plants survive the scorch of the sands and blazing sun, we'll never know. In any case, keep an eye on this one. They recently released the first part of a Dark Ages level with the second part coming soon!

#8 Have a summer romance in “Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness” (DS)

Already, Sandy (or Danny), it's time for some summer lovin'! Of course, there is much work to be done in the process. After being shipwrecked on the island, you take up residence at an abandoned farm. As is standard with the series, you must plant crops, raise animals, and forage for food if you hope to stay alive. Of course, you can always visit the shops with the money you earn from shipping your hard-earned goods. All work and no play is no life for an islander though! Participate in festivals, interact with the adorable wildlife, and (while you're at it) find your true love among the island's residents!

#7 Make new friends (or enemies) with “Ultra Street Fighter IV” (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, iOS)

Released initially in 2009, “Street Fighter IV” has been moving up the ranks and evolved into “Ultra Street Fighter IV.” Packed with new characters, the game also features balance changes as well as new game mechanics, so if your vacation got canceled this summer, don't worry! Travel to exotic locales and engage in battles with strong opponents! Online play is the true test of your strength! If you're more into spectator sports, “Ultra Street Fighter IV” is the premier event at EVO 2014 (July 11 - 13) so you can see the greatest players in the world square off against one another!

Want to know what makes it so “Ultra”? Check out our review over here!

#6 Rock out with “Rock Band 3” (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS)

Nothing says summer like those big music festivals. Did you miss out on Bonnaroo? Too strapped for cash to attend fests like Lollapalooza? No worries! Pick up those drumsticks, and take out your frustrations on that drum kit! Better yet, invite all your friends over and try to tackle the Endless Setlist! While Harmonix has moved onto other projects and no longer updates with new DLC, there is an enormous catalog of great songs for hours of non-stop rock!

#5 Have your own Summer of Racing with “Mario Kart 8” (Wii U)

Just like there are summer festivals, race fans have their own mid-year events! While NASCAR isn't my thing, I can definitely get behind some "Mario Kart". I'm not going to lie. I was terrible at "Mario Kart 64", so it made me hate the game. However, after much reflection and a few better experiences, I've come to appreciate the franchise. I'm still terrible at it but it's definitely a good excuse to have a party! Invite some of your (soon-to-be-ex) friends over, and let the trash talking begin! (No, really, play nice, ok?) Need more info or just want to see some of those stunning graphics? Check out our review.

#4 Cool off with “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (PS3)

Still too hot? They say that the best way to cool yourself off is to visualize yourself in a cold place. What better way than a playthrough of “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves”? You play as Nathan Drake (voiced by the epitome of cool, Nolan North) who is tracking down the Cintamani Stone. While you do play through some areas that will only make your hotter (like Borneo), Tibet will definitely do the trick of cooling you off. I remember the first time I saw the crisp, blue-white snow and how realistic it looked. Definitely felt a chill!

#3 Get medieval at a Ren Faire or just play “Shovel Knight” (3DS, Wii U, PC, Mac, Linux)

I love going to Renaissances faires. There's so much to see and do. I've been to a few in the summer but wow, sometimes those costumes get really hot! Thanks to “Shovel Knight”, I don't have to leave the comfort of my own home to enjoy chivalry and sword-fighting! You play as Shovel Knight who is fighting in hopes of finding and rescue Shield Knight, your female comrade-in-arms. Fight an array of strong foes as you traverse the landscape in all your 8-bit glory. Who needs sweltering heat and smelly horses when you can have this masterpiece! Still not convinced? Check out the review or better yet, pick up the game!

#2 Go on a tropical vacation in “Super Mario Sunshine” (NGC)

Just don't do it like Mario. He and Princess Peach (along with her attaché of Toads) are finally headed on a vacation to Isle Delfino, and when they arrive, they discover that the island has been vandalized by someone who looks mysteriously like the mustachioed hero. Rather than relaxing like he had planned, Mario must clean up the mess and discover who's behind it all. The game itself is visually stunning with vivid colors and detailed environments. Be prepared though! This game is not for the faint of heart. It can prove to be incredibly challenging (often downright frustrating), and it's fairly long so if you have a lot of time to kill, this may be the game for you.

#1 Swim with the dolphins in “StarTropics” (NES, Wii Virtual Console)

Let me first tell you that it's only for a short moment and that dealing with a concerned mother dolphin is no way to spend your vacation. However, as teen protagonist Mike, you'll do whatever you have to in order to find and ultimately rescue your uncle Steve Jones (or Dr. J as he is called by the islanders). Travel the seven seas and visit islands in your quest. At one point, you even get the Jonah treatment when you're swallowed by a huge whale and you have to navigate his interior to make your way out. Mix in a talking parrot, some cross-dressing, a few crazy islanders, an alien plot twist, and we have a game! One of my particular favorite memories of this game as that it required a three-digit code to make the submerge system of the submarine operational. There was a letter included in the game manual that you had to dip in water to reveal the secret code. It was such a gimmicky thing but I remember my brother and I fought over who was going to get to do it. Mom settled the fight by making us each hold one side of the paper as we dipped it. Ah, the memories.