I’m simply going to get this joke out of the way in which: Fall Guys is probably the most autumnal online game. There we go. You might chortle and guffaw to your coronary heart’s content material, after which we’ll begin the remainder of this extraordinarily area of interest, very particular article. You achieved? Good. Okay.

So! It’s Autumn, or Fall, relying on whether or not you are in Blighty or ‘Murica, as of the twenty second September. For a few of you, meaning crunching your means by means of crisp orange leaves on the way in which to high school; for others, it means getting the nice and cozy duvets out of storage; for me specifically, it implies that I get to eat a ton of pie and drink sizzling chocolate, and nobody will get to guage me. (Seriously, individuals are bizarre about having sizzling drinks in warm-ish climate! I ordered a sizzling toddy at a bar the opposite day they usually laughed at me! IT’S ON YOUR MENU, MATE.)

It’s straightforward to get within the autumn temper with music, motion pictures and TV — simply stick on Hocus Pocus or Over The Garden Wall, get the fireside roaring, and put Neil Young’s Harvest on the audio system. Mmm, cosy. But can video video games evoke that very same sweater climate vibe? Yes, they’ll. Hence this checklist.

The Most Autumnal Video Game Levels

Mario Kart Wii – Maple Treeway

This might be the one which instantly jumped into the minds of many — a kart-based jaunt by means of the falling leaves of wherever Maple Treeway is. It’s not one of many programs that is primarily based on a specific space, though the presence of Wigglers makes it clear that it is someplace in Super Mario Land, however there’s one thing particular about this course all the identical.

Driving by means of leaf piles, winding by means of tree trunks, and getting fired out of a big cannon — is there something extra autumnal?

Sonic Adventure 2 – Pumpkin Hill

Pumpkin Hill has all of it in the case of the spooky season, which is principally synonymous with Autumn. Sonic’s frenemy Knuckles has to discover round this Halloween-themed stage, with pumpkins, ghosts, graves, bats, and skeletons, however probably the most memorable factor about Pumpkin Hill is, after all, the rap. Let’s check out a few of these lyrics:

Let it get to me? I’m simply gonna creep,
Down in Pumpkin Hill I gots to search out my misplaced piece.
I do know that it is right here, I sense it in my ft,
The nice Emerald’s energy permits me to really feel.
I can not see a factor nevertheless it’s round someplace,
I gotta maintain my head, I’ve no worry.
It most likely appears loopy, loopy, a graveyard principle,
A ghost tried to method me, he acquired leery.

Iconic.

Super Mario Galaxy – Gold Leaf Galaxy

You know in Star Trek how there are planets with One Defining Characteristic, like “we are the planet that hates water”, or “everybody on this planet solely eats worms”? Well, Super Mario Galaxy constructed on that concept with galaxies like this one.

In Gold Leaf Galaxy, the One Defining Characteristic is “Autumn”, and we aren’t complaining. This galaxy is populated by bees, which is a typical theme in Super Mario Galaxy for no matter purpose, and options a number of orange-hued planets. Much like Maple Treeway, Wigglers are featured as a form of autumnal enemy, in addition to Cataquacks, Undergrunts, and Flipbugs.

Paper Mario: The Origami King – Autumn Mountain

The Origami King does fascinating issues with color, making a world that is deeper and richer-toned than previous Mario video games. Autumn Mountain is not any completely different, swapping the same old orangey leaves for a a lot darker purple and a buttery yellow. Even the collectibles on this stage are a bit of extra autumnal than ordinary, with Toads being folded into maple leaves and bugs, and a hidden Fallen Leaves treasure beneath the steps.

Fun reality: The French title for this space is Mont Évermeil, a play on the phrases for shiny purple, vermeil, and “to fill with surprise”, émerveiller.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Autumn Heights

Autumn Heights is the second world in Tropical Freeze, modelled after the cuckoo clocks and rolling hills of Switzerland with an additional serving to of decaying leaves. DK and buddies will traverse by means of minecart tracks, air balloon platforms, and a number of cheese-related ranges earlier than reaching the ultimate boss — an enormous, indignant owl known as Skowl.

Super Mario World – Autumnal Dinosaur Land

Autumn is a secret unlockable various color palette in Super Mario World, which you will get after finishing the ultimate stage of the Special Zone — or, within the sequel, Super Mario Advance 2, however finishing all 96 exits.

This color swap would not simply change the inexperienced of the grass and timber to a beautiful orange, although. Some enemies will even change look: Piranha Plants turn out to be little pumpkins on stalks, Bullet Bills flip into black birds, Koopas flip into orange variations of Mario for some purpose, and in Super Mario Advance 2, Goombas flip yellow and put on sun shades.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons – Autumn

Oracle of Seasons has all of the seasons. One of these seasons is Autumn. In reality, it is the ultimate seasonal spirit that you simply get, after finishing the Tower of Autumn (which is the place all of the Autumn is saved). This season enables you to decide Rock Mushrooms and Pegasus Seeds, in addition to masking up holes with fallen leaves.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – The Akkala area

Breath of the Wild would not have seasons, however the wonderful colors of the Akkala area, the place Tarrey Town and the Ancient Tech Lab might be discovered, are harking back to everybody’s favorite time of 12 months. When it rains in Akkala, you simply wish to take shelter within the close by secure and drink sizzling cocoa till the rain subsides. It’s beautiful.

Banjo Kazooie – Click Clock Wood

Click Clock Wood is a deciduous forest, and you already know what meaning: Red leaves, child! Banjo and his backpack buddy Kazooie should enter Click Clock Wood throughout all 4 seasons to finish the world, and lots of the puzzles inside revolve round how the atmosphere adjustments in every season. In Autumn, you will get the possibility to satisfy Gnawty, the useful beaver, go to the Tree House, and witness the blooming of Gobi’s lovely flower. It’s the very best season. Obviously.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch – Golden Grove

As its moniker suggests, Golden Grove is a fiery-orange wooded space throughout the Summerlands, the place dappled gentle filters by means of smooth yellow and orange leaves. It makes for a restorative glade the place you’ll be able to take a breather between the start of the sport and the way more troublesome Shimmering Sands, in addition to add some cute little Familiars just like the Napcap and the Pom Pom to your social gathering.

Pokémon Coronary heartGold and SoulSilver – Bellchime Trail

Bellchime Trail, which is a brief path between Ecruteak City and the Bell Tower the place Ho-Oh used to dwell, is described as “bathed in sundown” — a stupendous description for a stupendous place. It will not be huge, nevertheless it’s serene, with no wild Pokémon encounters and loads of hidden objects to maintain you snuffling round its golden leaves.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Autumn

Since that is an autumnal stage which you can solely go to in precise Autumn, barring time-travel shenanigans, it is price benefiting from. It’s a lot quieter than Spring and Summer, with fewer fish and bugs to catch, nevertheless it nonetheless gives heat and cosiness within the type of Mushroom furnishings, acorns and pine cones, Turkey Day, and, after all, Halloween.

Stardew Valley – Autumn

In your first 12 months of Stardew Valley, this is likely to be the season the place you begin to really feel like issues are going your means. Spring is normally spent studying the ropes; Summer is all about revenue; however Autumn is a good time to spend money on Winter-proofing your farm with animals and a greenhouse. Corn, cranberries, yams and pumpkins are all excellent for creating that harvesty vibe, and to prime all of it off, Stardew’s timber flip beautiful shades of purple, maroon, and burgundy.

The Games That Are Actually Set In Autumn

Firewatch

Okay, sure. Firewatch is apparently set within the Spring of 1989. But you’ll be able to’t idiot us, Campo Santo. Orange is the color of Autumn, and Firewatch is very orange. Who cares if it is technically not precise Autumn if it makes us really feel the way in which Autumn feels?

Night within the Woods

Night within the Woods’ environmental decay is a mirror to the social and financial decay of its setting, the previous mining city of Possum Springs. Trees shed their leaves as a backdrop to this story of loss, grief, confusion, and disassociation — of all of the video games on this checklist, NITW is the one one that actually explores the darkish facet of Autumn.

Life is Strange

Autumn additionally occurs to be the beginning of college for a lot of international locations, and that is the case for Max Caulfield, a younger girl returning to her hometown, getting reacquainted with outdated mates, and discovering her capability to rewind time. Life is Strange attracts loads of its inspirations from the small-town nostalgia and discomforting claustrophobia of Twin Peaks, and its Pacific Northwest setting helps the sport really feel suitably autumnal to match.

Mmm, we’re actually within the temper for a comfy Autumn now. While we go placed on a pleasant knitted jumper, make ourselves a cup of mulled cider, and take a look at not to consider how Winter (and 2023) is simply across the nook, inform us within the feedback should you’ve acquired any favorite Autumn ranges or video games — or if there are any video games you wish to play at any time when October rolls round.