Video Game summers are ideal. Nothing beats the perfect balance of fun and excitement without all that sweat and a potential sunburn.
If you plan on spending a good portion of summer boarded up in dark room, in front of a screen with the fan stuck on high, there are a number of high- and low-definition sun-kissed, bikini-clad games to keep your brain occupied and your cheeto-covered hands busy. Here are the top five (no sunscreen required):
5. Psychonauts (Available on Xbox Live):
In the real world, summer camp is filled with creepy counselors, awkward interactions, and life-scarring memories. In Psychonauts, protagonist Raz attends a summer camp filled with - well, creepy counselors, awkward interactions, and life-scarring memories.
But he does have awesomely trippy psychic powers, which definitely compensate for a smelly bunk mate and endless supply of warm Capri Suns.
4. Minecraft (PC)
Even if you enjoy landscaping and summer renovation, by the time the early morning is over in Phoenix, your front-yard "oasis" project has to be put on hold.
Enter Minecraft, where players can create blocky forests, mountains, oceans (even deserts), from the comfort of their desk chairs. No need to hunt down any "FREE GRAVEL" ads on Craigslist.
3. Pilot Wings 64 (Nintendo 64, Wii Virtual Console)
Yes, a more recent update to the series exists on the Nintendo 3DS, but that entertains the notion of you going outside.
Pilot Wings 64 allows you to live your life like a person on a travel brochure. Skydive, hang glide, jet pack, even fire rockets at Mt. Rushmore.
2. Super Mario Sunshine (Gamecube)
Childhood Nostalgia appeal aside, Super Mario Sunshine is game that allows those with an urge to provide a public service for their community to scratch this itch without the whole "public" or "service" part.
As everyone's favorite plumber, you'll rid a tropical paradise of an oily mess with your trusty water cannon backpack. It's almost as if you had helped with the BP spill cleanup last year, instead of just tweeting about it in your boxers.
1. Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (Xbox 360)
You are lonely.
For more summertime gaming fun, check out "10 Video Games Fit for Summertime" on Joystick Division.