TANUKI: Pon’s Summer is out now, as of November 10, 2026, on PC, Xbox, PlayStation and both Switch consoles for $19.99 / £15.99 / €19.99, and it is on Xbox Game Pass for PC and consoles from day one. It is a cozy open-world BMX delivery game from Kyoto studio Denkiworks: you play Pon, a mail-delivering tanuki with one month to raise money to restore a shrine. Early reviews are warm. Here is where to play it, what it costs and what critics say.
Last checked on November 10, 2026. Official Prices, platforms and the Switch upgrade come from publisher CRITICAL REFLEX’s launch release, which matches the Steam store page. Review quotes are from VGC, TheBigBois and CGMagazine.
Platforms, price and how to get it
| Platform | How to get it | Price | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Buy on Steam | $19.99 / £15.99 / €19.99 | Official |
| Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC | Buy, or play on Game Pass (PC and console tiers) | $19.99 or included | Official |
| PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 | Buy on PlayStation Store | $19.99 | Official |
| Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 | Buy on eShop; owning one unlocks the other version free | $19.99 | Official |
Reported TheXboxHub saw the Xbox Store price at £15.74 at launch and says Xbox Play Anywhere is supported, so one purchase covers Xbox console and PC. TheBigBois reports the game is Steam Deck Verified and that progress from the free demo’s first three days carries over.
Our math If you only want to finish it once, Game Pass makes sense if you already subscribe. If you would otherwise buy a month just for this game, compare the current Game Pass price in your region against the $19.99 purchase; for a single game, buying is often cheaper and you keep it. See our Game Pass November 2026 list for what else joins this month.
What you do in Pon’s Summer
- Deliver mail on a BMX. Official Parcels come in different shapes and sizes, and you plan routes across the island’s ramps and rails.
- 100+ BMX challenges. Official Tricks, grinds and combos.
- Mini-games. Official Sushi-making, baseball, sumo and other summer activities.
- Restore the shrine. Official Spend earnings rebuilding, upgrading and decorating the Great Tanuki Shrine before the Great Tanuki Festival.
- Crossover hats. Official Inspired by Hollow Knight: Silksong, PEAK, Shovel Knight and more.
What reviewers say
| Outlet | Liked | Criticised |
|---|---|---|
| VGC | “Cycling around town is a joy”, varied mini-games, dynamic soundtrack, well-written dialogue | “Mainly a series of fetch quests”; bike controls not tight enough for some combo challenges |
| TheBigBois | “One of the most charming games of the year”, BMX turns deliveries into a playground | Bite-sized mini-games, basic decorating, fussy trick controls, a middle stretch that drags |
| CGMagazine | “Fun, varied, and laid-back” | No major complaint in the excerpt we read |
The pattern is consistent: critics love the mood, the town and the music, and the main knock is that the core loop is fetch quests with fiddly trick controls. VGC frames its launch, nine days before GTA 6, as brave, and calls it “a charming and worthwhile adventure, especially given its budget price.”
Should you play it? Our quick checklist
- Yes if you liked cozy games with light structure, Japanese-island settings, or games like Lil Gator Game.
- Try it on Game Pass first if you are unsure about delivery-sim loops.
- Maybe skip if you want deep systems or precise trick controls like a dedicated BMX game.
- Timing tip: it is a short, low-stress game you can play this week while the GTA 6 preload downloads.
FAQ
When did TANUKI: Pon’s Summer come out?
November 10, 2026, on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Xbox on PC.
Is Pon’s Summer on Game Pass?
Yes. The publisher says it is available on Xbox Game Pass for PC and consoles from launch.
How much does Pon’s Summer cost?
$19.99, £15.99 or €19.99 at launch, according to publisher CRITICAL REFLEX.
Do I need to buy it twice for Switch and Switch 2?
No. Buying it on Switch unlocks the upgraded Switch 2 version at no extra charge, and vice versa.
Who made Pon’s Summer?
Denkiworks, a Kyoto studio whose three co-founders previously worked together on projects including Cursed to Golf. It is published by CRITICAL REFLEX.