Mixtape is a music-driven narrative adventure from Beethoven & Dinosaur, published by Annapurna Interactive. It follows three friends on their last night of high school, using memories, mischief, and licensed music to tell a nostalgic coming-of-age story. The game released on May 7, 2026, and is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Game Pass. The official Mixtape site describes it as “one more adventure together,” while Annapurna Interactive’s Mixtape page confirms the release date and developer.
This guide breaks down the Mixtape game in plain English: what it is about, whether it is on Game Pass, which platforms support it, what makes the soundtrack important, and who should actually play it.
If you enjoy story-first games, strong soundtracks, indie adventures, and Game Pass discoveries, Mixtape is worth paying attention to. If you mostly want combat, competitive multiplayer, or deep progression systems, it may not be your kind of game.
Table of Contents
What is the Mixtape game?
Mixtape is a nostalgic narrative adventure about friendship, music, and one final night before life changes.
The game comes from Beethoven & Dinosaur, the studio behind The Artful Escape. Annapurna lists Beethoven & Dinosaur as the developer, while Xbox’s listing describes the studio as the developers of the BAFTA-winning The Artful Escape.
This is not a traditional action game built around combat, loot, or online competition. Mixtape is built around mood, memory, music, teenage chaos, and emotional storytelling.
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Game | Mixtape |
| Developer | Beethoven & Dinosaur |
| Publisher | Annapurna Interactive |
| Release date | May 7, 2026 |
| Style | Music-driven narrative adventure |
| Main appeal | Story, nostalgia, licensed soundtrack, teen friendship |
What is Mixtape about?
Mixtape is about three friends spending their last night together and reliving formative memories through music.
The official Mixtape site says three friends embark on one more adventure on their last night of high school, playing through memories “set to the soundtrack of a generation.” Xbox also frames the game as a nostalgic narrative adventure inspired by classic coming-of-age movies, with music, mischief, adolescence, growth, transformation, and moving on at the center of the experience.
That tells you what kind of game this is. Mixtape is not trying to be a huge open-world game or a competitive multiplayer title. It is for players who want atmosphere, characters, music, and emotional payoff.
Is Mixtape on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, Mixtape is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Xbox’s Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 post lists Mixtape as a day-one Game Pass release for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC, available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Use the wording carefully: Mixtape is not “free” on Game Pass. It is included with an active paid Game Pass subscription.
Should you buy Mixtape or play it on Game Pass?
If you already subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, try Mixtape there first. That is the easiest route.
If you do not use Game Pass and prefer owning your games, buying it on your platform of choice may make more sense, especially if you already like Annapurna-style indie games.
No Game Pass affiliate code is included in this article because we have not verified a clean, region-safe Amazon.ca Game Pass code for this specific use case.
What platforms is Mixtape available on?
Mixtape is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The official Mixtape site and Annapurna’s page both link out to the main store options. Xbox confirms Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC support, while Nintendo Canada’s Mixtape listing confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 version.
For anyone deciding where to play, the Mixtape game has one major advantage: it is not locked to a single platform.
| Platform | Mixtape availability |
|---|---|
| PC | Yes |
| Steam | Yes |
| Epic Games Store | Yes |
| Xbox Series X | S |
| Xbox Game Pass | Yes |
| PC Game Pass | Yes |
| Xbox Cloud Gaming | Yes |
| PS5 | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes |
What songs are in the Mixtape game?
Mixtape features a licensed soundtrack with a strong 1980s and 1990s coming-of-age mood, including artists such as Joy Division, DEVO, The Cure, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Lush, Silverchair, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music, and more.
The Xbox store listing says Mixtape features music from DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, The Cure, and many more.
The soundtrack is one of the biggest reasons the Mixtape game is getting attention after release.
Reported soundtrack highlights include:
| Artist | Song |
|---|---|
| Joy Division | Atmosphere |
| DEVO | That’s Good |
| The Cure | Plainsong |
| The Jesus and Mary Chain | Just Like Honey |
| Lush | Monochrome |
| Silverchair | Freak |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | Love |
| Iggy Pop | Candy |
| Roxy Music | More Than This |
| Portishead | Roads |
| Alice Coltrane | Galaxy in Turiya |
Is Mixtape worth playing?
Mixtape is worth playing if you enjoy narrative adventures, soundtrack-driven games, coming-of-age stories, and Game Pass indie releases.
This is not a hands-on Newsblend Hub review, so we are not assigning a review score or pretending we tested every platform version. Based on the game’s premise, Game Pass availability, soundtrack focus, and early reception, Mixtape looks like a strong fit for players who want a stylish, emotional, story-first game.
GamesRadar’s Mixtape coverage reported strong early review momentum, while PC Gamer’s review praised the writing, visuals, and soundtrack but criticized some of the gameplay interactions. That gives us a balanced read: the mood and story are the draw, not deep mechanics.
The Mixtape game is easiest to recommend to players who already enjoy short, emotional, story-first experiences.
Pros
- Strong music identity
- Included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Available across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2
- Distinct coming-of-age tone
- Good fit for fans of Annapurna-style indie games
- Soundtrack gives the game a clear identity
Cons
- Not ideal if you mainly want combat-heavy gameplay
- Not a competitive multiplayer game
- Story and mood matter more than deep progression systems
- Mature content means it may not suit younger kids
- The soundtrack-driven style may not work for every player
Who should play Mixtape?
Mixtape is a good fit for you if you like:
- narrative adventure games
- music-focused games
- coming-of-age stories
- indie games with a strong visual and emotional identity
- Game Pass discoveries
- Annapurna Interactive releases
- games that focus on mood more than mechanics
- stories about friendship, nostalgia, and growing up
If you liked the idea of The Artful Escape or enjoy games that feel closer to an interactive album, road movie, or memory piece, Mixtape is probably worth trying.
Who should skip Mixtape?
Mixtape may not be the right pick if you want:
- fast combat
- online multiplayer
- competitive ranking systems
- deep RPG progression
- a huge open world
- long loot loops
- a young-kids game
The content rating is worth checking before younger players try it. Annapurna lists content descriptors including sexual themes, strong language, and use of drugs and alcohol.
Best setup for playing Mixtape
You do not need special gear to enjoy Mixtape, but because the game is built around licensed music, atmosphere, and memory, a good headset is the one accessory that makes natural sense here.
Because the Mixtape game depends so much on music and atmosphere, audio matters more here than most accessories.
Amazon.ca picks worth considering
| Product | Best for | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core | Budget wired headset | A simple, affordable option for players who just want clearer audio without spending much. |
| Razer BlackShark V2 X | Best value audio pick | A stronger option if you want better headset performance for music, dialogue, and general gaming. |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 | Clean wired multi-platform pick | A safe wired-style choice for players who switch between platforms. |
| Samsung P9 Express 512GB microSD Express Card | Switch 2 digital-library users | Mixtape alone does not require extra storage, but 512GB is a practical long-term size if you download multiple Switch 2 games. Make sure it is microSD Express, because regular microSD cards are not compatible for Switch 2 game storage. |
Affiliate note: Some links may earn us a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. We only include products when they fit the article’s use case.
Mixtape FAQ
What is the Mixtape game about?
The Mixtape game is about three friends on their last night of high school, reliving memories through music, mischief, and coming-of-age moments.
Is Mixtape on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, Mixtape is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox listed it as a day-one Game Pass release for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC.
What platforms is Mixtape on?
Mixtape is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Is Mixtape on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes, Mixtape is available on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Canada has a dedicated listing for the Switch 2 version.
What songs are in Mixtape?
Mixtape includes licensed music from artists such as Joy Division, DEVO, The Cure, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Lush, Silverchair, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music, Portishead, and more. The Xbox store listing confirms several featured artists, including DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and The Cure.
Is Mixtape good for kids?
Mixtape is not positioned as a young-kids game. Annapurna lists content descriptors including sexual themes, strong language, and use of drugs and alcohol.
Should I buy Mixtape or play it on Game Pass?
If you already subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, try Mixtape there first. If you do not use Game Pass and prefer owning your games, buying it on your preferred platform makes more sense.