Which game from your childhood gives you the strongest summer vibes? What makes it so special to you?

[FiorDiLoto]

For me, the game that screams 'summer' the most has to be Ape Escape 3!

Not because of its art style or setting, but simply because every single summer I’d replay it on loop. Now, every time this time of the year rolls around, I get this massive urge to dive back into it.
I still remember the night I finally beat it. I went to tell my mom, all proud, and she gave me a pudding cup that we ate together out on the balcony



Yeah, I know, maybe this post is a bit too nostalgic, but I find it fascinating how we link certain games to specific times in our lives, like summer.
What about you guys? I'm really curious to hear your stories!

 

[Ikagura]

I'll be basic and I'd say Sonic Adventure.

Although FFX is also a nice game.

 

[zombie100379]

cool spot on megadrive - 1st level is even set on a beach , possibly the most summer feeling game i ever played

 

[Graw]

Diablo 2 because I wasted an entire summer one year doing pretty much nothing but playing Diablo 2 for weeks at a time. Like I'd just stay up all night until the sun came up playing online. It was pretty bad.

 

[Kovlak]

Outrun, maybe?

Who didn't want as a kid to drive a Ferrari with the babe by the side under the summer sky?

 

[Ikagura]

Outrun, maybe?

Absolutely!

 

[shaggi]

 

[zombie100379]

alex kidd in miracle world - the upbeat music combined with that "ding" sound everytime you collect money

 

[FiorDiLoto]

I'll be basic and I'd say Sonic Adventure.

Although FFX is also a nice game.

Both are great games, and FFX is my favorite Final Fantasy ever!

 

[Viviana Santos]

Super Mario Sunshine, the atmosphere of this game is my favorite among the 3D Mario games (with the first Galaxy being a close contender) and I love how vibrant and lively this game is; even with its flaws, it’s one of my favorite games.

 

[Jimbo_McDumbo]

It's not from my childhood per-se, since I only played it in like 2020/2021. But Yakuza 3 has the perfect beach vibes. And since I was away from home for the first time and locked inside this was comforting.

 

[JellyjamLu]

Maybe Super Mario Sunshine? but that's not truly my thing. so for me it's either Sega Marine Fishing or Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2.

 

[Bakuma1997]

Twilight Princess, i burn't so many time playing that bad boy in my chipped Gamecube any time schoo's was out

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

The original Super Mario Brothers, without a doubt — I even played it for the first time during the summer ^^!

 

[Pearly]

I used to play Final Fantasy 8 every summer for years during the summer break from school, in the later years of school this became dragon quest 8 and FF 8.

I can't really think of much else that makes me think of summer and playing games, I usually had a habit of also reading books during the summer alongside playing games and watching series, whereas during the winter it's mostly games.

 

[beefbowl]

This feels like cheating, but:

 

[silada]

I was already reminiscing about it while I scrolled through the thread! The soundtrack of the surf game was so good. Maybe Tony Hawk's games also have this vibe.

 

[diet_orange]

Hydro Thunder, no question!

 

[FiorDiLoto]

I used to play Final Fantasy 8 every summer for years during the summer break from school, in the later years of school this became dragon quest 8 and FF 8.

I can't really think of much else that makes me think of summer and playing games, I usually had a habit of also reading books during the summer alongside playing games and watching series, whereas during the winter it's mostly games.

I just played and finished DQ8 these first weeks of June and it was AMAZING to play it during summer! It gave these magic vibes when you stop for a second, watch the sky color change, the sunset with this orange palette, the incredible OST by Sugiyama... absolutely amazing!

 

[silada]

I just played and finished DQ8 these first weeks of June and it was AMAZING to play it during summer! It gave these magic vibes when you stop for a second, watch the sky color change, the sunset with this orange palette, the incredible OST by Sugiyama... absolutely amazing!

I'm promising myself to watch DQ, because I was not able to finish when I was a kid. Maybe if I force my daughter to watch with me it will be easier, everything I do with her is 10x better. I have never played any of the games, any recommendations?

 

[JellyjamLu]

Hydro Thunder, no question!

That's a really good choice right there

 

[Pearly]

I'm promising myself to watch DQ, because I was not able to finish when I was a kid. Maybe if I force my daughter to watch with me it will be easier, everything I do with her is 10x better. I have never played any of the games, any recommendations?

I'd recommend 8 easily, then 11 and I really liked the reimagined version of 7 but there's many that also don't like it, but simply due to a matter of taste as opposed to lesser quality. Those 3 in that order and start with whatever seems the most charming or interesting of the three.

All great games too.

 

[bombatomba77]

Probably Victory Road. When it popped up in the 7-11 I actually stopped buying the other misc crap I sometimes bought (turbine whistles, GPK cards, candy) just turned it all to quarters to play the game. During that two week period I even went out looking for returnables outside of the group I normally traveled with, and probably spent hours digging through the weeds in ditches on the sides of roads, and along trails in the woods.

Out of scope for this discussion, but as an adult I've been obsessed with the Boku No Natsuyasumi series (and the likes, both old and modern) since I saw a preview on an old PlayStation Magazine disc.

 

[Mal]

KH2 twilight town and that intro,

aaaahhh really gets me into the summer vibes, then its just an amazing game all the way around.

 

[RageBurner]

Outrun, maybe?

Who didn't want as a kid to drive a Ferrari with the babe by the side under the summer sky?

Definitely was going to say this, as well. Every musical track seems to fit just right.