10. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

It has almost been a year since the remaster of Skyward Sword was released for the Nintendo Switch family of systems, and while it had some good quality of life improvements when compared to its original release on Wii, this keeps being the most controversial Zelda game to date. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a bad game, as it’s a perfect title to play in the summer thanks to its relaxing graphic style as well as the soundtrack and gameplay.

9. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

One could say that Mario Kart can be played during any season of the year without any kind of problems and that, of course, is 100% right; but ever since the Booster Pass DLC was announced, some of the remastered tracks can’t help but give those summer vacation vibes we can get during these months. So let’s get our karts all booted up, and get ourselves ready for the next Booster Course Pass wave.

8. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Ever since the series’ revival with the Nintendo DS, New Super Mario Bros. has kept amazing attention to detail with some of the most creative and challenging levels in the franchise, and I can totally confident say that New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe has the best levels to play and feel like you’re on summer thanks to its bright and colorful levels, especially with the New Super Luigi U ones.

7. Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is easily one of the best games out there to play and feel like you’re on vacation; exploring different parts of the world while trying to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s claws screams nothing but summer all over the place.

6. Kirby & The Forgotten Land

This is probably the most recent release out of this ranking, and that’s probably the main reason why this is the perfect season of the year to play this amazing platformer that took the Kirby IP and expanded it to new and unexplored horizons. I haven’t personally had the chance to give it a try, but the demo spoke for itself and cemented Kirby & The Forgotten Land as one of the must-be-played games of the year. Especially if you want to take a break from Elden Rings.

5. Earthbound

Earthbound isn’t in this listing just because it has a city named Summers. Not at all. Earthbound was included because one of the best RPGs of all time with the most adventurous feeling of them all can’t be skipped, especially since it makes you feel like you’re on the journey of a lifetime with your best friends, a feeling that can’t easily be replicated except for the summer vacations.

4. Pikmin 3 Deluxe

This wonderful real-time strategy game couldn’t have been skipped for nothing since its visuals are refreshing and its gameplay is memorable as hell. The surroundings might sometimes have different weather, but the sunny days in Pikmin 3 achieve the sunny days we can experience during summer.

3. Monster Hunter Rise

This is probably going to be one of Nintendo’s most important 3rd party releases of the year, and what a perfect opportunity to start playing the game as the Sunbreak DLC is about to be available for everyone. Also, every once in a while Nintendo has special offers on franchises like Monster Hunter, so what a perfect excuse to get into the series if you still haven’t!

2. Super Mario Sunshine

Wanna travel to the beach, get in jail for illegal impersonation, and do community service while fighting against your biggest enemy’s son? If your answer is yes, of course; Super Mario Sunshine is perfect for you! While it has been more than a year since it was retired from the Nintendo eShop, you can still get a physical copy on almost any retailer at its RSP price (not giving those goddamn scalpers the satisfaction). And while it might be a challenging adventure to go through for a Super Mario 3D game, it’s 100% worthy.

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Perhaps Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn’t THE most talked-about game like it was during the beginning of the pandemic; maybe its last big update was the 2.0 one on November 2021, but that doesn’t mean at all that one of Nintendo’s biggest hits is dead. Just as in real life, Animal Crossing is going through the summer months, so this is the time of the year when you’re going to find summer shells on your island’s shores as well as the opportunity to complete your critterpedia with the unique species you can find during the season.