Your guide to post-exam gaming

In theory, the next few weeks at the University of Warwick should be spent hunched over a laptop in the undesirable solace of Floor 5 of the Library to churn out those last few essays. However, once this unfortunate spell of my life has passed, I will be exchanging one screen for another – here are a few of the video games that I’m planning on playing over the summer!

Starting off this list is an exciting combination of new and old with Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for the Nintendo Switch. I’d be lying if I said that 3D World was one of my favourite Mario games, yet – having played it virtually non-stop on the Wii U – it’s certainly a comfort, and I’m looking forward to finishing it for a second time. However, Bowser’s Fury is the most exciting aspect of this release; not only is it the most recent 3D Mario game, it also appears to be more attuned to the open worlds of Super Mario Odyssey and the Galaxy titles – some of the finest games that Nintendo has released – in comparison with the relative linearity of 3D World. Bowser’s Fury also seems particularly appropriate in its laid-back, small-scale adventure for the relaxation of the summer holidays.

The perfect project for the long summer afternoons

Having been unable to resist a few moments replaying 3D World recently, I was particularly impressed by the Captain Toad levels that accompany the more traditional platforming fare. Unfortunately, these levels are few and far between, but it’s perhaps a sign of their innovation that they spawned an entire game of their own – Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – one that passed me by when it was originally released on the Wii U in 2014. As a result, I have decided to explore this often forgotten entry in Nintendo’s catalogue. Much like the game it span off from, it should be a light and sufficiently exciting puzzle adventure with all the charming hallmarks of a game published by Nintendo, bolstered by an innovative camera mechanic that is justly given time to shine.

It’s a game that is irresistibly enjoyable all year round

Batman: Arkham Trilogy is another game that has been sitting on my shelf for too many months. Dark, gritty, and violent, Arkham Trilogy is about as far away as one can stray from the effervescent tone of Treasure Tracker and 3D World and the warmer weather that has been treating the West Midlands over the last week. However, there’s nothing like a bit of contrast and, by collecting the three games in the Arkham franchise, this trilogy arguably represents the perfect project for the long summer afternoons to come. Furthermore, with delays hampering Robert Pattinson’s second Batman film seemingly without end, this collection will provide an ideal respite.

There is also perhaps no better time of the year to replay old favourites

While Animal Crossing has never been one of my favourite video game franchises, I’m willing to give it another go with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. New Horizons defined lockdown for huge amounts of people, and I’m hoping that its atmosphere of tranquillity and unique focus on holidays will have a similar effect on my summer. (That is, until I’m in chronic debt to an anthropomorphic bear.)

There is also perhaps no better time of the year to replay old favourites. Overwatch is always a favourite of mine to play with friends and – much like Animal Crossing – is an easy game to just plug into for a short time. However, the summer game – for me, at least – will always be Mario Kart Wii; it’s a game that is irresistibly enjoyable all year round, but speeding through Dry Dry Ruins or Coconut Mall really hits different during an August heatwave. And with Mario Kart World just around the corner, there is no better time to re-experience the best game in the series.

In short, these are just a few of the games that I am planning on delving into once that last assignment has been handed in – good luck to all those reading!