Mixtape Switch 2 Review

Mixtape Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

I read somewhere that there’s a theory on why we sometimes feel lost in life, and it’s because we miss or yearn for the world we grew up in, a world that no longer exists, which explains why both music and nostalgia are such powerful things. They help us reminisce on those moments and bring back all sorts of mixed feelings from another time in our lives. Melbourne-based developer Beethoven & Dinosaur aims to take us back to the 90s for one final adventure with the crew on the last night of high school before we once again have to grow up in Mixtape. What’s it like? Put on your headphones, grab your skateboard, and turn up the volume as we skate into this review of Mixtape for Nintendo Switch 2.

Mixtape follows three teens, Stacy Rockford, Van Slater, and Cassandra Morino, as they prepare for the party to end all parties on the final night of high school. Stacy is leaving for New York in the morning to chase her dream of becoming a music supervisor and has put together an epic mixtape to take her and her friends on one final musical journey together before life inevitably pulls them in different directions. The story is largely told through flashbacks and memories that are triggered by interacting with photos, objects, and keepsakes from the past. These moments transition into a series of mini-games, short playable sequences, or exposition dumps that tie directly into whichever track is currently playing on the mixtape. It gives the entire experience a dreamlike flow, where memories blur together through music, emotion, and teenage chaos. The writing is often witty, the banter between friends feels genuine, and it perfectly captures the flavour of classic 80s and 90s coming-of-age films. You can clearly feel the influence of The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and especially Ferris Bueller’s Day Off throughout the adventure. While some interactions, like a makeout mini-game, feel a little uncomfortable and certain dialogue occasionally comes across as pretentious, Mixtape still absolutely nails the tone it is going for, delivering a story filled with drama, friendship, nostalgia, and ultimately, the painful reality of growing up.

This narrative is driven by an outstanding and somewhat eclectic soundtrack featuring Silverchair, Iggy Pop, and The Smashing Pumpkins that are expertly woven into both the story beats and gameplay sections to elevate the emotions of what is happening on screen. From the opening moments set to That’s Good by Devo to more crushing moments accompanied by Roads from Portishead, Mixtape uses music to drive the narrative in a way that feels very similar to Baby Driver. This leads into gameplay that feels somwhat light and, at times, fairly hands-off. Think Heavy Rain, but leaning even further into visual novel territory. As mentioned earlier, most memories play out as short mini-games like skipping rocks, using a slingshot, or trolley surfing down the highway. There is not a lot of consequence to failure here, and when the game puts you on foot, it is usually to slowly wander around a bedroom or environment looking at photos and trinkets that trigger the next memory sequence. This is where Mixtape may end up being divisive, and I think expectations need to be managed going in. Personally, I feel like this is a game designed more to spark personal reflection than challenge players mechanically. Gamers who grew up through the 80s and 90s will likely get far more out of the experience as it constantly pulls at nostalgic and emotional heartstrings tied to music, friendships, and growing up. Younger players or those searching for a more traditional interactive adventure game may not find what they are looking for here.

Mixtape features a gorgeous art style, blending stop-motion-esque animation with more realistically rendered backgrounds. There are several surreal moments throughout the adventure, and these set pieces look incredible in motion, whether it is escaping the police in a shopping trolley or floating through a meadow while trying to find the next place to hang out. It is a visual delight that reminded me a lot of the style and energy of the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse films. The characters each have their own charm and distinct personality, while cutaway gags and mini-game effects consistently land with humour and visual flair. The presentation feels energetic and creative from start to finish, perfectly matching the youthful chaos and nostalgia that the game is trying to capture. On Nintendo Switch 2, the game runs well overall, with my main issue being noticeable texture pop-in and level-of-detail loading during scene transitions. It can occasionally be jarring when entering a new area or memory sequence, though it usually resolves itself within a few seconds and never significantly detracts from the overall experience.

For gamers looking into accesibility there aren’t any specific options to speak of, so as always, I recommend further research into finding out if Mixtape suits your accessibility needs.

At just under $30 AUD, Mixtape runs for roughly three hours. For me, it played out like listening to a really good album from start to finish. From the opening moments of skating downhill right through to the end, I was completely locked in. Sure, some of the dialogue can come across as a little pretentious, and the lighter gameplay will not be for everyone, but I found Mixtape to be a genuinely memorable journey for its short runtime. I am starting to agree with the theory that we sometimes feel lost because we are constantly looking back at a world that no longer exists. Being a teenager meant living in a world full of possibilities, friendships we thought would last forever, and moments that seemed like they would never end. For a few fleeting hours, Mixtape takes you right back there, pairing its carefully curated soundtrack with an outstanding visual journey into the past.

So, What’s it Like? Mixtape is like Dispatch, crossed with Baby Driver.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.

Enjoyed our Mixtape Switch 2 Review?

✨ Support What’s It Like? Want to help keep this independent Nintendo outlet running? Here are a few ways you can support:
🌐 More Nintendo reviews and guides: https://www.whatsitlike.com.au/
☕ Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/whatsitlike
🎥 Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes content: https://patreon.com/u102681944