*Your frequent flyer mileage may vary.
Isle Delfino - Super Mario Sunshine (GCN)
Let's begin our glimpse at some prime summer hotspots with one of the quintessential summer getaways--one that gaming's most famous mascot has ventured to at least once. It's the tropical Isle Delfino from the Nintendo GameCube's Super Mario Sunshine. Go hopping around Bianco Hills, get your feet wet in the pristine waters of Gelato Beach, spend the day having fun in the sun at the Pinna Park amusement park, and return back to home base at the glorious sunny shores of Delfino Plaza at the end of the day. How do you speak summer? We at SPC Virtual Vacations speak it "Super Mario Sunshine's Isle Delfino."
Bubblaine - Super Mario Odyssey (NSW)
Perhaps you're wanting something more modern out of your summer vacation? While Isle Delfino is a fantastic choice, it's awfully dated. How about another selection from the world of Mario, this time from Super Mario Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch? Welcome to Bubblaine in the Seaside Kingdom, where every dive underwater will have you belching on your way up due to the carbonated water that flows from Bubblaine's central soda fountain. Don't be embarrassed--it's your summer vacation, so burp and belch all you'd like! In Bubblaine you can scale a massive lighthouse, go exploring in the bubbling deep, catch a ride on a duo of Dorries, or play catch with the local beach-dwelling puppy dog. Who's a good boy? Yes, you're a good boy, doggy!
Dolphin Shoals - Mario Kart 8 (NSW, Wii U)
Perhaps the slow, plodding pace of rest and relaxation on a summer vacation doesn't fulfill your sense of thrill. Instead, maybe your idea of a satisfying and exciting vacation is speeding through an almost wholly submerged racetrack as you jet along the waters accompanied by aquatic friends. That's what Mario Kart 8's Dolphin Shoals delivers in spades... well, perhaps we should say "delivers in dolphins and other deep sea delights", as there are no spades to actually speak of. Regardless of semantics, wind through underwater passageways, ride on the back of the gigantic Unagi eel, speed along the cliffs overlooking an ocean twister, and do it all under the warmth of a tropical sun.
Eventide Island - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (NSW, Wii U)
If you're like us at SPC Virtual Vacations, you don't like your vacation simply handed to you on a silver platter. And even if you did, you'd want that silver platter to degrade after several uses anyway! The point here is that why be given a vacation when you can make a memorable adventure for yourself while marooned on the glorious shores of Eventide Island! This very special destination from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild features all the resources one would and could possibly need to live on the island, and--if for some ridiculous reason you'd ever want to--escape. From its picturesque plateau of palm trees to its extra friendly humongous Hinox that loves to go "clubbing" with guests, Eventide Island is an impressive and innovative area of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It will make any vacationer not only have to play by its unique set of rules, but also overcome them in a truly unique challenge to the game.
Besaid Island - Final Fantasy X (PS2)
Sure, you can go to Isle Delfino or some other fancy tropical shmopical island, but SPC Virtual Vacations knows you by now! You're a person of taste and culture. You're one to go down lesser traveled roads. You're one to thumb up your nose to the mainstream, and what better way to do than that go to a lesser frequented summer getaway, where the water is always warm, the people are seldom unkind, and the island's Blitzball team is the worst in the league. It's Besaid Island, and this locale from Final Fantasy X is home to a bounty of beauty in every inch of this small luxurious island.
Costa del Sol - Final Fantasy VII (PS1)
Then again, maybe Besaid Island is too... folksy for your tastes. Why share an island when you can own an inn? That's exactly what you can do in Final Fantasy VII's Costa del Sol, and with the remake of the game coming in March of next year (though the first episode will most likely be limited to Midgar), it's a nice idea to book your trip to the "House of Sun" seaside summer town before it becomes overrun with other tourists seeking a similar hit of nostalgia.
Destiny Islands - Kingdom Hearts series
Let's now plan for a trip that's just as wholesome and nostalgic as it is beautiful and scenic. It's the Destiny Islands from the Kingdom Hearts series, seen various times throughout Sora's saga. It's where our adventure begins and it's where some incredibly important events in the Kingdom Hearts franchise take place. Feel free to do battle with local islander Riku, but fair warning--he's a bit of a brooding fellow at first until he's comfortable with you. Also, maybe don't go near that cave in the center of the island. Just trust me on this one.
Emerald Coast - Sonic Adventure (DC)
Nothing says Sonic Adventure like fast speeds along with some more methodical platforming sections. The game's Emerald Coast boasted a tremendous first impression for players, and it will definitely make a splendid spot to spend some of your summertime in. Bounce from spring to spring along the wooden docks as you speed from beach to beach, and what's that there? Oh, it's just a happy little whale playfully giving chase to anyone who approaches its dock, just like Sonic the Hedgehog, for instance. Emerald Coast is a rockin' azure blue world that made for a memorable locale for owners of the Dreamcast at the system's 1999 launch, and it will make for a great destination to soak up some sun while speeding along the coast as well.
Treasure Trove Cove - Banjo-Kazooie (N64, XBLA)
With the surprise E3 2019 announcement of the bear and bird pair of Banjo and Kazooie arriving in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate this fall, if you're anything like me, you're chomping at the bit (beak?) to dig in to the bounty of sands on the beach of Banjo-Kazooie's Treasure Trove Cove. This second world in the Nintendo 64 classic has plenty to delight cove-goers including a large sandcastle with a friendly face inside, a lighthouse sitting at the very top of the cove, a wrecked pirate ship that one can explore, sprawling beaches where there are definitely NOT any angry crabs roaming them, nor are they ready to snap at any vacationer willing to approach them, and there's CERTAINLY no fear of swimming in the ocean waters as there are NO sharks to speak of.
Crash Cove - Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled (PS4, XB1, NSW)
From one cove to another, if you somehow aren't gifted with the ability to breathe underwater as you participate in an exhilarating race, then we at SPC Virtual Vacations do not recommend booking a trip to Mario Kart 8's Dolphin Shoals. But, if you'd still like the scenic sights of the sea without having to enter into it (unless you're a poor driver, of course), then we offer a suitable supplement summertime location for you: Crash Team Racing's Crash Cove, the opening racetrack of the game. The recently remade and released Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, offers a view of this bountiful beach in high-definition beauty for the very first time, allowing racers to speed along the shoreline of the island cove with the sunset shining brightly on the sand and seas. While not an optimal place to perfect one's power-slide, Crash Cove does offer a breezy course to get some practice in before going to the big leagues in CTR.
Planet Pokitaru - Ratchet & Clank (PS4)
Who needs just one area when you can have a whole planet to enjoy? Come to beautiful Planet Pokitaru for a tropical locale where you can get away from it all. Okay, sure, you might not be able to get away from the spiked fish that love to harass tourists, nor the slime creatures that overrun the nearby plant, but you cannot deny that Planet Pokitaru is a picturesque place nevertheless! Seen in both the original Ratchet & Clank and made even more fabulous and fantastic in the 2016 remake, Pokitaru is all sun, all fun, and some danger--but who doesn't like a little danger in their lives, am I right?
Kanaloa Beach Golf Resort - Everybody's Golf (PS4)
Are you a bit of an outdoors-man or outdoors-woman? These three final locales on SuperPhillip Central's picks for spectacular summer vacation video game destinations offer plenty of activities to enjoy your time spent outside. Tee up and go golfing on the prestigious Kanaloa Beach Golf Resort from the Everybody's Golf franchise's PlayStation 4 debut. This resort is set under a breathtaking sunset and surrounded by a generous helping of ocean, perfect for getting some fishing in between rounds. When you're not golfing or fishing, it's just as fun to go joyriding around the resort's premises via golf cart. Just don't tell the resort staff that SPC Virtual Vacations put that idea in your head... Whether on the fairways, greens, or if you're like us, the bunkers or out of bounds, you'll find something to love at the Kanaloa Beach Golf Resort in Everybody's Golf.
Splash Beach - Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn (3DS)
At first, all seems quiet at Splash Beach from Kirby's Epic Yarn and its Nintendo 3DS port. Nighttime has already fallen on the serene sands and waters of the beach, but with enough exploring and examinations into the skies, you can reveal the sun--simultaneously revealing a hustling and bustling beach! Looks are indeed deceiving at Splash Beach, so take a dive in the now sun-soaked seas of the beach (you might even be asked to make a... wait for it... "splash") or save your skin and beat the heat under the shade of one of many beach umbrellas also serving as platforms for any "jumpy" beach-goers out there.
Lake Orangatanga - Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (SNES)
We've reached the last place on SuperPhillip Central's list of summer vacay stops, and unlike most of the hot spots on this list, this particular pick will take us camping. After all, you needn't have tropical sights and sounds to think of summertime! Sometimes all you need is the great outdoors, and boy, will you get it with Donkey Kong Country 3's Lake Orangatanga. Some camps are home to arts and crafts. BO-RING. This lake is home to Kongs and Kremlings instead! There are also cold tundras to the northeast to slip and slide around in, as well as massive barns full of barrels--including one particularly big barrel who has a bit of a belching problem. For a camp experience that will have you make some wonderful memories without having to worry about sunburns and mosquitoes, look no further than spending your summer at Camp Lake Orangatanga and do it Donkey Kong Country-style!
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That's all from SuperPhillip Central Virtual Vacations! Whether you're actually going on a real vacation this summer or just planning on having a good ol' stay-cation with some awesome games, have a great summer, everyone!
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