If you're new to the Challenge, behold: the traditional explanation!
What is the Racketboy Summer Games Challenge?
Over a decade ago, SnickerD00dle kicked off an annual challenge: pick ten classic games you've never finished, and play through them all in a summer. The point is not to create an obligation or pressure to "win" by completing your ten, but rather to inspire you to dive into a bunch of games you've been meaning to get around to anyway. Year after year this motivates a cohort of Racketpeeps to gather together, cheer each other on, and live vicariously through each other's experiences with some dearly beloved classics. And here we go again!
What Counts as a Classic?
Alienjesus, legendary Challenge organizer for untold numbers of years, explained this well in a previous thread:
"It's pretty subjective, but generally it's a game that's highly regarded for the era, system, or genre it represents."
(There was once a grand and hilarious tradition of dsheinem dunking on people's lists for not being classic enough, but that was for comedic purposes only. There's no actual gatekeeping here. Play what's in your heart!)
Do I Really Need to Play Ten Games?!
The short answer is no! We've noticed that folks sometimes stress about the rules of the Challenge -- and may even refrain from joining entirely -- due to the perceived commitment of finishing ten games. Always remember that there is no obligation to do so and that the rules are just an arbitrary framework for generating fun. That said, if it helps put you at ease to approach the Summer Challenge with defined guidelines, consider adopting one of the following "difficulty levels" that best suits you:
PEACEFUL MODE:
- Make a list of 1-10 classic games you've never beaten
- Try to finish 1 before the summer's end
VETERAN MODE:
- Make a list of 5-10 classic games you've never beaten
- Try to finish 5 before the summer's end
HARDCORE MODE (SnickerD00dle's original stipulations):
- Make a list of 10 classic games you've never beaten
- Try to finish all of them before the summer's end
(And yes, a Nightmare Mode can exist for those of you who want to tackle 10+ games. People have done this before. Good luck. o7)
Season Dates
- Season Start: June 2026
- Season End: September 2026
(Please note that season dates are just loose guidelines. The goal is just to get active between now and the fall.)
We're off to the races everybody, so create your lists (or just start playing)! Hope to see all the regulars gravitate back here again, and a warm welcome to you newer folks who've decided to wade in for the first or second time. <3
And I'm thrilled you're doing this one! It was on my list last year too, but I'd have to get the gumption to install it on my Mega Everdrive to go for it. Maybe the inspiration will strike as the summer rolls on.