7 new and upcoming video games for summer 2024, including Luigi's Mansion 2 HD

Summer is in full swing, so let the games begin.

I don't mean the Olympic ones happening in Paris in a few weeks, I mean the video ones happening in your nearest gaming console.

While there usually aren't many game releases scheduled in summer, it doesn't mean gaming fans are ready to retire their controllers. No matter why or how you play — whether it's unwinding with something cozy after a long day, immersing yourself in a new world while hiding from the heat or a social activity to share with friends — gaming fun continues year-round.

Here are the video games we're most excited about this summer, either newly released or set to come out over the next few months.

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Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (Nintendo Switch) brings back 3DS title

Nintendo's remake era continues with Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, out now for Switch.

In this remaster of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon for 3DS (2013), Luigi has been volunteered (against his will. Volun-told?) by Professor E. Gadd for some ghost-hunting.

The prof hoped to study ghosts in Evershade Valley, but the ghouls suddenly became hostile, and Gadd surmises this change in behavior is connected to the disappearance of the Dark Moon, which usually has a calming effect on the valley's spirits.

Luigi, armed with a customized Nintendo DS and the Poltergust 5000, is tasked with finding corrupted fragments of the Dark Moon to hopefully return the valley to normal, exploring creepy corners in and around Gloomy Manor, wrangling ghosts and solving puzzles.

More: Nintendo Direct: Here's what's coming, including new 'Legend of Zelda,' 'Metroid Prime'

Don't worry, like the original game, you don't have to face the ghosts alone. Luigi's Mansion 2 HD does have multiplayer mode you can unlock: ScareScraper, a skyscraper of frights you can journey through with up to four friends and a number of gameplay options.

Professor Gadd, who was allegedly too busy to go to Gloomy Manor himself, seems to have plenty of time to surveil and repeatedly call Luigi as our green hero works through the first ghost missions, with Gadd offering advice and equipment upgrades. More guidance on mechanics and other features can be found in the game's guide.

Gadd's lab also serves as a hub between missions. By the way, restarting failed missions from the beginning wasn't really the nostalgia I was hoping to relive. Overall, while a bit unpolished and very much in the shadow of its excellent successor Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019), Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a spooky, fun game to give a spin this summer.

Release date: June 27

More: 'Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door' worth the wait: What to know about new Switch game

Moonstone Island (Switch) evokes cozy vibes

Moonstone Island isn't new, it's just newly released for Switch.

This life-simulation game from developer Studio Supersoft and publisher Raw Fury has been described as a cross between Stardew Valley and Pokemon.

Moonstone is set in a world with more than 100 islands, where you can as farm, fish and cook, as well as collect creatures, build relationships and explore dungeons. You'll also be heading to the sky, learning alchemy and brewing potions. We can't wait to find out what secrets there are to uncover in this cozy entry.

If you're looking for more games with similar vibes to Moonstone Island, see our list of some of our favorite cozy video games of 2024, so far.

Release date: June 19

Everafter Falls (Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X), a farming sim with intrigue

Everafter Falls, out now from developer SquareHusky and publisher Akupara Games, is another farming sim game. But this one has a twist. There's something not quite right in the charming town, and you'll work to solve the mystery of what's going on as you do all the usual cozy game things, such as cooking, fishing and farming. Be ready for some battles in the dungeons, too.

Release date: June 20

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (PS5, Xbox Series S/X, PC) brings new challenge to punishing open world

If you thought Elden Ring couldn't get any bigger, I have some news for you. It got bigger. The Shadow of Erdtree DLC, out now, expands on the bestselling 2022 fantasy game from developer FromSoftware and publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment. There are not only new weapons and armor, but also a new story and new area to explore. Just make sure you've already defeated the requisite bosses (Mohg, Lord of Blood, and Starscourge Radahn) in the base game before looking to dive into the DLC.

If you haven't started playing Elden Ring, I'll wait here for you to fix that.

Release date: June 21

Concord (PS5, PC)

We're headed to space in Concord. In this upcoming first-person shooter from developer Firewalk Studios and publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment, you're teamed up with other space mercenaries (and your friends in multiplayer) for player-vs-player matches throughout the galaxy.

Release date: Aug. 23

Astro Bot (PS5)

The adorable robot who hangs out in your PlayStation is about to embark on a new adventure.

In Astro Bot, Astro is searching for his crew and rides his DualShock Controller-shaped speeder through space, exploring dozens of planets, seeing some familiar faces and places from the PlayStation universe.

Release date: Sept. 6

Funko Fusion (Switch, PS5)

Funko Fusion is ostensibly what you'd get if you took a bunch of Funko Pop! figures and dropped them into a standalone video game.

This action-adventure game from developer/publisher 10:10 Games will allow you to play as characters — in Funko form, of course — from at least 20 movies and TV series, such as "Back to the Future" and "Jurassic World," solving puzzles, teaming up and fighting battles.

Not sure if the game will pack as much nuance in its gameplay as the many Lego video games, but we shall see what pops up before summer ends.

Release date: Sept. 13

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elden Ring DLC, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD: Fun games for the summer drought