Looking for summer fun in a video game world? These titles’ settings offer a perfect beach day.
It’s officially summer, which means that while many are taking their hobbies outside to enjoy the heat, some video game fans are relaxing in the air-conditioned indoors with some of their favorite games. Luckily, there are plenty of games both old and new that offer the tropical vibe that some might be missing from the real world.
The following games are perfect for players who would rather enjoy a digital beach than the sandy, crowded shores of the real world. From family-friendly platformers to action-packed first-person shooters, these games make the warm locales their main setting, offering a perfect gameplay experience for the summer seasons. 8 Sonic Adventure
Few games have as iconic a beach level as Sonic Adventure, the Sega mascot’s first foray into 3D platforming. The game allows players to venture through a series of campaigns starring now-iconic Sonic characters, from the classic allies of Tails and Knuckles, to lesser-known protagonists like Big the Cat and E-102 Gamma.
While the game features a litany of levels based on a wide variety of environments, the main hub is the port-side Station Square, which offers easy access to the Emerald Coast levels. It’s quite a different vibe from the game’s other hub, the foresty Mystic Ruins, but it offers enough memorable levels for each character to warrant a summertime playthrough. 7 Crash Bandicoot
The original Crash Bandicoot is one of the most iconic games for the PlayStation, but it’s easy to forget how coastal this game’s setting is. The game centers on the titular bandicoot who journeys across numerous islands and archipelagos to rescue his love, Tawna, from the evil clutches of Doctor Neo Cortex.
The very first level, “N. Sanity Beach”, features a seemingly relaxing beach that happens to lead players to a jungle with ancient ruins. While the setting of this original game is a lot more rooted in ancient civilizations, its island aesthetic offers enough of a beachy vibe to earn it a spot on this list of video games which primarily feature tropical settings.
