'Super Mario Maker 2' lets players create their own Super Mario stages on Switch.
Summer is practically here! If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat indoors, two big-name, family-friendly releases are coming out in June, along with a side-scrolling role-playing game for teens, and a 3DS game that’s ok for adults to play on their own.
Super Mario Maker 2
Rated E
Appropriate for: Kids who like creating things
Super Mario Maker 2 is the sequel to the original Super Mario Maker, which was released on Wii U in 2015. The game will allow players young and old to create their own Super Mario-style levels and share them with the world, as well as download and play levels created by other users. For this sequel, players will be able to choose from new themes and level elements, such as slopes and the Angry Sun. In addition, a brand new Story Mode will introduce players to some of the game’s many design elements as they complete 100 stages created by Nintendo itself. For more on Super Mario Maker 2, check out our guide, or this hands-on preview shared by our friends at Shacknews.
Great if your kids love: The original Super Mario Maker, Scribblenauts Showdown
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
Rated E10+
Appropriate for: Kids who are comfortable with fast-paced gameplay
This family-friendly kart racing game is a remake of the original Crash Team Racing, which was released on PlayStation in 1999. It stars characters from the popular Crash Bandicoot franchise, who must get behind the wheel on a variety of racetracks in order to protect their planet from the evil Nitros Oxide. Similar to other kart racing games, Crash Team Racing lets players collect items as they race, which they can use to sabotage their opponents or give themselves a temporary boost. While the game is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch, PlayStation 4 players will receive access to exclusive “Retro” content based on the original version of the game.
Great if your kids love: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Team Sonic Racing
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Rated T
Appropriate for: Teens who are comfortable with dark themes
In this “gothic horror side-scrolling role-playing game,” players are taken to 19th century England, where they must help an orphan named Miriam save the world by defeating demons inside a large castle. Players will be able to collect a variety of weapons and equipment to help Miriam on her quest. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is rated T for Teen by the ESRB, with content descriptors for “Blood,” “Partial Nudity,” and “Violence.”
Great if your kids love: Hollow Knight, Castlevania Requiem, Shovel Knight
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth
Rated M
Inappropriate for young teens and children
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is the sequel to Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, which hit 3DS in 2014. This role-playing game features the Phantom Thieves from Persona 5, who find themselves trapped in a mysterious movie world. The game also features characters from Persona 3 and 4. While the game’s cartoon graphics may make it appear family friendly, this one is rated M for Mature by the ESRB, with content descriptors for “Language,” “Partial Nudity,” “Sexual Themes,” and “Violence.”
Try These Games Instead: Octopath Traveler, Final Fantasy XV
Notable kid- and teen-friendly titles are in bold.
Disclaimer: Release dates can change at any time.
Tuesday June 4, 2019
Kotodama: The 7 Mysteries of Fujisawa, Switch, PlayStation 4, PC
Timespinner, Switch, Xbox One
Warhammer: Chaosbane, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II, PlayStation 4
Effie, PlayStation 4
The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr [DLC], PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Super Blood Hockey, PlayStation 4
Neon Junctions, PlayStation 4, Vita
Legend of the Tetrarchs, PlayStation 4
The Savior’s Gang, PlayStation 4
Super Skelemania, PlayStation 4
World Wheel by POWGI, PlayStation 4, Vita
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth, 3DS
Trover Saves the Universe, PC
Stellaris: Ancient Relics [DLC], PC
Wednesday June 5, 2019
Asdivine Dios, Xbox One, PC
Neon Junctions, Xbox One
Thursday June 6, 2019
Slay the Spire, Switch
World Wheel by POWGI, Switch
Gal Metal Bonus Tracks Vol. 2 [DLC], Switch
Legend of the Tetrarchs, Switch
PixARK, PlayStation 4
MotoGP19, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Toki, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Friday June 7, 2019
Refunct, Switch, PlayStation 4
Neon Junctions, Switch
Stunt Kite Party, PlayStation 4
Omensight: Definitive Edition, Xbox One
Super Blood Hockey, Xbox One
Party Golf, Xbox One
Octopath Traveler, PC
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Battle Worlds: Kronos, Switch
Collection of Mana, Switch
Dragon Star Varnir, PlayStation 4
The House in Fata Morgana, PlayStation 4
Verlet Swing, PlayStation 4
Wednesday June 12, 2019
2URVIVE, Xbox One, PC
Bertram Fiddle: Episode 2 – A Bleaker Predicklement, Xbox One
Thursday June 13, 2019
Radiation City, Switch
Friday June 14, 2019
Verlet Swing, Switch, Xbox One
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Citizens of Space, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Mini-Mech Mayhem, PlayStation VR
Vacation Simulator, PlayStation VR
Date A Live: Rio-Reincarnation, PlayStation 4
Jurassic World Evolution: Claire’s Sanctuary [DLC], PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Cybarian: The Time Travelling Warrior, PlayStation 4
Crystal Crisis, PlayStation 4
Luna, PlayStation 4 [VR Compatible]
Mars Alive, PlayStation VR
Slum Ball, PlayStation VR
Neverwinter: Undermountain [DLC], Xbox One
Another Sight, Xbox One
Wednesday June 19, 2019
Another Sight, PlayStation 4
Cybarian: The Time Travelling Warrior, Xbox One
Antiquia Lost, Xbox One
Double Cross, Xbox One
Thursday June 20, 2019
Catan Universe, Switch
Muse Dash, Switch, PC
Project Lux, PlayStation VR
Underworld Ascendant, PlayStation 4
Super Neptunia RPG, PC
Friday June 21, 2019
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Bring Them Home, PlayStation 4
Captain Cat, Switch, Xbox One
Cybarian: The Time Travelling Warrior, Switch
Monday June 24, 2019
Heavy Rain, PC
Tuesday June 25, 2019
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Switch
Super Neptunia RPG, Switch, PlayStation 4
Redeemer: Enhanced Edition, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Samurai Shodown, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
We. The Revolution, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Car Mechanic Simulator, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Judgment, PlayStation 4
Monster Jam Steel Titans, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Attack of the Toy Tanks, PlayStation 4, Vita
Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love, PlayStation 4
Akash: Path of the Five, PlayStation 4
Kid Tripp, PlayStation 4, Vita
Paper Dolls Original, PlayStation 4
Pool Nation FX, PlayStation 4
Counter Fight 3, PlayStation VR
Medusa and Her Lover, PlayStation VR
Spider-Man: Far From Home, PlayStation VR
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Shadow Fencer Theatre, Xbox One, PC
Attack of the Toy Tanks, Xbox One
Outbreak: Lost Hope, Xbox One
Thursday June 27, 2019
War Tech Fighters, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Furwind, Switch, PlayStation 4, Vita, Xbox One
Nekopara Vol.3, Switch, PlayStation 4
MotoGP19, Switch
Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love, Switch
The Sinking City, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Friday June 28, 2019
Super Mario Maker 2, Switch
Attack of the Toy Tanks, Switch
F1 2019, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love, Xbox One
The Lost Legends of REDWALL: The Scout, Xbox One
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
