Pop Culture8 hrs ago

Mixtape Launches May 7 with Devo Opener and 20‑Plus 90s Tracks

Australian studio releases Mixtape on May 7, featuring Devo's opening song and a soundtrack of over 20 iconic 80s‑90s bands across PC, PS5, Xbox and Switch.

Jordan Blake/3 min/GB

Culture & Trends Writer

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Mixtape Launches May 7 with Devo Opener and 20‑Plus 90s Tracks
Source: The GuardianOriginal source

*TL;DR: *Mixtape* arrives May 7 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2, opening with Devo’s 1982 single and weaving more than 20 80s‑90s tracks into a single‑day adventure.

Context The second title from Melbourne‑based studio Beethoven and Dinosaur follows a four‑hour narrative about Stacy Rockford, a teen in the fictional 1990s suburb of Blue Moon Lagoon. The game blends skateboard runs, dinosaur rides and surreal set‑pieces with direct‑to‑camera monologues where Stacy explains each song on her mixtape. Its tone mirrors the nostalgic pop culture of the era—*Dazed and Confused*, *Ferris Bueller’s Day Off* and *Wayne’s World*—while the development team of twelve draws on personal anecdotes, such as a shopping‑trolley police chase lifted from producer Dean “Woody” Woodward’s life.

Key Facts - Release date: May 7, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. - Opening track: Devo’s 1982 minor hit “That’s Good,” described by creator Johnny Galvatron as his yearly playlist staple. - Soundtrack: Over 20 bands, including Roxy Music, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Portishead, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Silverchair and Mondo Rock. Galvatron cites the *Donnie Darko* soundtrack as inspiration, preferring deep cuts over chart‑toppers. - Narrative hook: Stacy plans to fly to New York to hand a mixtape to a music supervisor, hoping to secure a job, while her friends Slater and Cassandra push for a final night of partying. - Gameplay variety: Players skate, kiss, TP houses, ride a dinosaur, learn to fly, craft slushies and rent videos while under the influence, all within a four‑hour runtime. - Cultural nods: An ABC Rage shirt appears on Stacy, requiring clearance from the Australian broadcaster; the track “Yesterday’s Hero” by John Paul Young underscores a key sequence. - Development background: Galvatron, former frontman of the 2007 band the Galvatrons, channels his teenage love for the Smashing Pumpkins—calling “Tonight, Tonight” unrivaled—into the game’s emotional core.

What It Means Mixtape positions itself as a hybrid of interactive storytelling and curated music experience, targeting players who value both nostalgic soundscapes and experimental gameplay. By securing licensing for a broad range of legacy tracks, the developers demonstrate that indie studios can negotiate complex music rights, potentially opening doors for similar projects. The game’s release across all major platforms maximizes reach, suggesting a push to capture both console and handheld audiences.

Looking Ahead Watch for post‑launch updates on additional downloadable content and possible expansions that could explore Australian settings, a direction hinted at by Galvatron for future titles.

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