Tanuki: Pon's Summer

Tanuki: Pon's Summer is the newest slice-of-life sim game where players deliver parcels, do crazy BMX tricks and try to repair a shrine.

TANUKI: Pon’s Summer is seriously charming, and that goes a long way to papering over some of the issues I had with it. If you loved Pon as much as I did then you'll definitely enjoy your summer with him.

Tanuki: Pon's Summer is a charming, nostalgia-filled adventure that captures the magic of childhood summers through BMX exploration, quirky characters, and an impressive variety of mini-games. Its vibrant rural Japanese setting and fantastic soundtrack make every delivery feel like a new discovery. While limited BMX tricks and underdeveloped shrine customization leave room for improvement, Pon's summer adventure is a heartfelt experience that's easy to get lost in.

Of all the games I played this year, I don’t think any of them will match the cuteness and fun I had then I did with Tanuki: Pon’s Summer; a game I was heavily anticipating ever since it was first announced and one I can safely say not only surpasses my expectations ten-fold, but might also be one of the best games of 2026.

TANUKI: Pon's Summer has a lot of lessons to learn, but the biggest one is probably to have fun. This game offers plenty to do, so there's something for most people. Decorate the shrine to relax, shred around the island on your bike, or deliver packages that put a smile on people's faces. It's all done well, and while the game could make steps to foster more replayability or technical soundness, what's here is an exquisite moment in time between all the big, loud action games around these days. I hope my next summer is as cool, fun, and productive as Pon's was!

Tanuki: Pon’s Summer shines by turning everyday chores into a pure joyride. Denkiworks’ debut is a colorful, lighthearted homage to Japanese culture that charms with BMX deliveries, quirky minigames, and genuine simplicity. While minor technical flaws and weaker activities keep it from perfection, they barely scratch the overall delightful experience. Fair warning to Japan lovers: Pon stirs up a heavy nostalgia that might leave you yearning to return—and perhaps adopt a tanuki, provided you don't have to clean the temple yourself!

Tanuki: Pon’s Summer is the rare cosy game that truly lives up to its premise, balancing both whimsical and snarky humour, alongside gameplay that manages to keep you moving just enough to hide its more shallow mechanics. Combined with a surprisingly generous array of content and impressive presentation, this is a Game Pass launch well worth checking out, even if a few wobbly wheels may disrupt your journey.