Mixtape Review: A Nostalgic Journey to the 1990s
Not since Life Is Strange has a video game captured the essence of teenage ennui so effectively. Mixtape tells the story of three young people on the cusp of adulthood in the 1990s, evoking a strong sense of time and place. While many games attempt 90s nostalgia through mascot platformers and old-school RPGs, few portray the decade itself. Mixtape dives deeper with excellent voice-acting, abundant nostalgia, and an expertly curated tracklist.
On the surface, the premise is simple. The game follows an afternoon in the lives of Stacey Rockford, Slater, and Cassandra, three teens about to leave their small Californian town, Blue Moon Lagoon. As protagonist Rockford says, it's a milestone that requires preparation. She curates a mixtape to soundtrack their last great adventure, which involves reminiscing and searching for booze to fuel a final blowout at cool girl Camille Cole's summer party.
This is not a game for hardcore shooter fans, but that's not the aim of developers Beethoven & Dinosaur, known for 2021's The Artful Escape. Game director Johnny Galvatron describes playing Mixtape as akin to channel surfing old-school MTV at 3am. Instead of exploring an open map, the game consists of vignettes and minigames set in the trio's bedrooms, their dilapidated cottage hideaway ironically named The Ritz, and around Blue Moon Lagoon.
Inventive Minigames and Character Depth
Each minigame is surprisingly fun and varied, drawing players deeper into the world while outlining character backstories and friendship dynamics. The opening sequence—skateboarding down a hill with the trio exchanging asides—immediately establishes a sense of time and place. Another minigame, where players control a pair of kissing teenage tongues, is both disgusting and hilarious. These kids are on the brink of adulthood but retain vivid imaginations. A sprint through a field becomes a gravity-defying flying sequence; a teenage tantrum turns into a minigame where Rockford's raised middle finger can explode cars and billboards.
Almost every minigame is soundtracked by its own exclusive song, often explained by Rockford in asides that walk the line between charming and grating. The cut scenes can make Mixtape feel more like an 80s coming-of-age film than a game, occasionally slowing the pace. Fortunately, the music is exceptional. Artists like Portishead, The Smashing Pumpkins, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Lush, Joy Division, Iggy Pop, and The Cure feature, creating an indie fan's dream. Attention to detail is staggering, though some dialogue overshoots the 90s brief, like a mother referring to police as 'pigs,' which feels try-hard.
Nostalgia and Authenticity
Despite minor flaws, almost everything else works. Nostalgia abounds, from the clothes and voice-acting evoking 90s snark to the bedrooms revealing Roxy Music vinyl and scribbled notes about an aborted road trip. One moment requires rewinding a cassette tape with a pencil, a detail that will resonate with those born before 2000 but may baffle younger players.
At its heart, Mixtape is a story about being a teenager: soaring highs, crushing lows, pushing boundaries, and rebelling against boring adults. These universal themes come flooding back while playing. What a rush.
Mixtape Review Summary
In Short: A heartwarming adventure about growing up, packed with imagination and 90s snark. Its main strength is capturing the feeling of being a young, bored teen on the verge of adulthood.
Pros: Inventive gameplay, excellent music, clear love for the 90s setting. Most minigames are witty and well-crafted.
Cons: Dialogue can be cheesy; asides and extended cut scenes feel too much like watching a slow-paced film. Younger gamers may find it less charming.
Score: 7/10
Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC
Price: £15.99
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Developer: Beethoven & Dinosaur
Release Date: 7th May 2026
Age Rating: 16
