Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
Mixtape System Requirements: PC Specs, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S & Switch 2 Performance Guide
Mixtape is a narrative-driven coming-of-age adventure from Beethoven & Dinosaur, the Australian studio behind the BAFTA-winning The Artful Escape, published by Annapurna Interactive. You play as three friends on their last night together before parting ways, reliving formative memories through a curated mixtape of dreamlike vignettes that range from skateboarding and flying to hitting baseballs and putting on a fireworks show from the backseat of a car. Performance-wise, this is a mid-weight Unreal Engine 5 title with a surprisingly demanding recommended specification. The official PC minimum asks for a GTX 1650 and 8 GB of RAM, but the recommended tier jumps to an RTX 3080 and 16 GB of RAM, which is an unusually large gap between tiers. The game launched on 7 May 2026 for PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG, as well as PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass. It is Steam Deck Verified, and the entire install fits into just 12 GB.
System Requirements
Minimum (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-9400F @ 2.90GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (4 GB), AMD Radeon RX 580 (8 GB), or Intel Arc A580 (8 GB) |
| VRAM | 4 GB minimum on the NVIDIA card; 8 GB on the AMD and Intel cards |
| DirectX | Not specified on the Steam page |
| Storage | 12 GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Xbox Game Pass compatible. |
Source: Steam store page for Mixtape, GamersGate, and VGtimes. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The minimum tier targets 1080p at 30 to 60 fps on low-to-medium settings, though Beethoven & Dinosaur does not specify a frame rate target on the Steam page. The Core i5-9400F is a 2019 processor and the GTX 1650 is a 2019 entry-level card. The 4 GB VRAM floor on the NVIDIA card is the practical minimum, while the AMD and Intel cards both list 8 GB. This is hardware from roughly six to seven years ago, and any gaming PC built in the last seven years will clear it comfortably. The 8 GB system RAM floor is standard for modern PCs, and the 12 GB install size is moderate for an Unreal Engine 5 title. If you own a gaming PC from the last six to seven years with a budget GPU and 8 GB of RAM, you will clear this bar.
Recommended (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (10 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT (16 GB) |
| VRAM | 10 GB on the NVIDIA card; 16 GB on the AMD card |
| DirectX | Not specified on the Steam page |
| Storage | 12 GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. |
Source: Steam store page for Mixtape, Epic Games Store listing, and GamersGate. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The recommended tier targets 1080p or 1440p at 60 fps on high settings, and the GPU jump from a GTX 1650 to an RTX 3080 is one of the largest gaps between minimum and recommended tiers of any 2026 release. This is a genuinely high-end recommended specification. The i5-10600K is a 2020 processor and the RTX 3080 is a 2020 flagship card. The jump from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM is the other significant change. The 10 GB to 16 GB VRAM requirement reflects the game’s Unreal Engine 5 rendering pipeline with Lumen global illumination, which is memory-hungry by design. If you have a gaming PC from the last three to four years with an RTX 3080 or better and 16 GB of RAM, you will meet this tier comfortably.
A Note on VRAM and System RAM
The 4 GB VRAM minimum and 10 GB to 16 GB VRAM recommendation tell a consistent story about the game’s Unreal Engine 5 architecture. This is not a texture-heavy open-world game, but the Lumen global illumination system and the game’s stop-motion-inspired character animations place real demands on GPU memory. The 8 GB system RAM minimum is standard, but the 16 GB recommendation reflects the game’s memory footprint growing as the mixtape’s dreamlike vignettes transition between different environments, each with its own assets and lighting states. If you are running 8 GB and your GPU meets the minimum, expect the game to use most of your available memory, and consider 16 GB as the single most impactful upgrade for smoother transitions between scenes.
PC Performance Reality: Read Before Buying
The official specifications describe a wide gap between minimum and recommended, but independent testing reveals that even high-end hardware can struggle. IXBT Games’ performance analysis found that on a PC with an RTX 5080, performance in native 4K drops to 30-40 FPS during walks in the forest, and noted that “performance is catastrophic, and the FPS difference between Ultra and Low is minimal.” This is a significant finding: the game appears to be CPU-bound or poorly optimised at higher resolutions, and lowering graphical settings does not meaningfully improve frame rates. If you are buying on PC and expecting to run the game at 4K with high frame rates, you should be aware of this limitation. The game’s Metacritic score sits at 93 on PC, indicating that critics have not penalised it for these performance issues, but if you are sensitive to frame rate consistency, check the latest patch notes before committing.
macOS
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher |
| Processor | 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB minimum; 16 GB recommended |
| Graphics | Not specified |
| VRAM | Shared with system memory on Apple Silicon |
| Storage | 12 GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Steambase lists macOS as a supported platform alongside Windows, Linux, and Steam Deck (Verified). |
Source: Steambase’s platform data and AudioLoom. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The macOS version supports both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, requiring macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher. The 8 GB RAM minimum and 16 GB recommendation match the Windows specification. The 12 GB install size is identical across platforms. Because Apple Silicon uses unified memory, there is no separate VRAM figure. If you own a Mac from the last decade, you can run Mixtape, though the game’s Unreal Engine 5 foundation may push older Intel Macs harder than the minimum specification suggests. Steambase confirms the game is Steam Deck Verified, which indicates that the developer has optimised for lower-power hardware.
Linux / SteamOS
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Not separately published by the developer |
| Processor | Not separately published |
| Memory (RAM) | Not separately published |
| Graphics | Not separately published |
| Storage | Not separately published |
| Additional Notes | Steambase lists Linux as a supported platform. The game is Steam Deck Verified. |
Source: Steambase’s platform data. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: Steambase lists Linux as a supported platform alongside Windows, macOS, and Steam Deck (Verified). Beethoven & Dinosaur has not published separate Linux system requirements on the Steam page or their official website. Given the game’s Steam Deck Verified status, a native Linux build or Proton compatibility is confirmed to work well. If you are a desktop Linux user, check the Steam store page for an official Linux badge before purchasing.
PlayStation 5
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest PS5 system software |
| Storage | Not specified on the PlayStation Store listing; PC version requires 12 GB |
| Performance | 60 fps target. A dynamic resolution update was added in a post-launch patch, adjusting resolution scale at runtime to hit the target frame rate. |
| Additional Notes | Single player. DualSense haptic feedback supported. Metacritic score of 85-86 from critics. |
Source: Vice’s patch coverage, Xboxygen, and Metacritic’s platform listing. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The PS5 version runs at 60 fps, and a dynamic resolution update was added in a post-launch patch on 3 July 2026, which “will adjust resolution scale at runtime to try and hit the selected target framerate.” This suggests that the launch version may have experienced frame rate drops, and the patch addresses them by scaling resolution dynamically. The game holds a Metacritic score of 85-86 on PS5 from critics, placing it among the best-reviewed games of 2026. The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback is supported. If you own a PS5, the game runs well, and the post-launch patch has improved performance stability.
Xbox Series X|S
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest Xbox system software |
| Storage | Not specified on the Xbox Store listing; PC version requires 12 GB |
| Performance (Series X) | 4K Ultra HD, 60 fps+, Optimised for Xbox Series XS. Life is Xbox noted “Mixtape runs smoothly from start to finish, with no noticeable frame drops or technical issues.” |
| Performance (Series S) | Optimised for Xbox Series XS. Specific resolution and frame rate targets not published. |
| Additional Notes | Xbox Play Anywhere supported. Day one on Xbox Game Pass. Xbox Cloud Gaming compatible. Single player. Xbox achievements and cloud saves. |
Source: Xbox Wire’s Game Pass announcement, Life is Xbox’s review, and the Xbox Store listing. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The Xbox Store listing confirms 4K Ultra HD, 60 fps+, and Optimisation for Xbox Series X|S. Life is Xbox’s review stated that “Mixtape runs smoothly from start to finish, with no noticeable frame drops or technical issues. Transitions between scenes are seamless, and load times are quick.” The Xbox Play Anywhere support means a digital purchase grants access on both console and Windows PC, and the game is available day one on Xbox Game Pass, making it a low-risk option for subscribers. The Xbox Series S version is also available and runs at 60 fps. If you own an Xbox Series X or Series S, this version runs without any performance concerns.
Nintendo Switch 2
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest Nintendo Switch 2 system software |
| Storage | Not specified on the Nintendo eShop listing; PC version requires 12 GB |
| Performance | Runs well in handheld and docked modes, according to Yahoo Tech’s review, which noted “While I’m sure Mixtape looks marginally sharper on other platforms, I thought it looked great on the Switch 2, and I played the whole thing in handheld mode without any issues or complaints.” |
| Additional Notes | TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes supported. Save Data Cloud requires Nintendo Switch Online membership. |
Source: Yahoo Tech’s Switch 2 review, Nintendo Life’s Switch 2 review, and the Nintendo Official Site product page. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The Switch 2 version runs well in both handheld and docked modes, and Yahoo Tech’s review confirmed that the reviewer “played the whole thing in handheld mode without any issues or complaints.” The game’s stop-motion-inspired character animations, which are deliberately animated at a low frame rate, “resemble stop-motion” according to Nintendo Life, which means the game’s visual style is well-suited to the Switch 2’s hardware. The game supports TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes, and the Metacritic score on Switch 2 is 90, making it one of the platform’s highest-rated titles. If you own a Switch 2, this is a natural fit for handheld play given the game’s narrative structure and short vignette-based chapters.
Steam Deck
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Verified (Valve’s highest rating). Confirmed by Steam Deck HQ, Steambase, and BudgetGamer. |
| Performance | Runs natively on SteamOS; the game’s default configuration performs well on Steam Deck; in-game text is legible; controller icons match the Deck’s layout. |
| Additional Notes | The 12 GB install size is manageable. Xbox Game Pass version is not compatible with Steam Deck; only the Steam version is Verified. |
Source: Steam Deck HQ’s Verified highlights, Steambase, and BudgetGamer. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: Mixtape carries a Steam Deck Verified badge, Valve’s highest compatibility rating, awarded in the 5/4/26 to 5/10/26 verification period. Steam Deck HQ confirmed the game “got the green checkmark” alongside Subnautica 2. Steambase confirms the game is “verified by Valve as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.” The 12 GB install size is manageable, and the game’s stop-motion visual style is well-suited to the Deck’s screen. If you own a Steam Deck and enjoy narrative adventures, this is a comfortable portable experience with no meaningful caveats.
Cross-Platform Availability and Game Pass
Mixtape is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with no PS4, Xbox One, or original Nintendo Switch version. The game is available day one on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, and it is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, meaning a single digital purchase grants access on both console and PC. Xbox Wire’s announcement confirms the game is “playable with Xbox Game Pass” and available on “Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud.”
Price, Content, and Reception
Mixtape is priced at $19.99 / £15.99 / €18.99** on most platforms, with a **20 percent launch discount** bringing it to **$15.99 for the first two weeks. The game is a single-player experience with no multiplayer or online functionality. The soundtrack features 25 licensed tracks from artists including DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and The Cure. Annapurna Interactive has confirmed that the developers paid “extra” to keep the game’s music licenses “in perpetuity,” meaning it will not be delisted due to music licensing expiry. The game takes roughly 3 to 5 hours to complete, with additional time for collectibles and Platinum trophy completion. Mixtape holds a Metacritic score of 93 on PC, 90 on Switch 2, and 85-86 on PS5, placing it among the best-reviewed games of 2026. IGN awarded it 10/10, calling it “a musical delight from start to finish that sets a new standard for coming-of-age stories in games,” and DualShockers also gave it 10/10.
Final Verdict: Can Your Setup Run Mixtape?
Mixtape is a moderately demanding Unreal Engine 5 title with an unusually high recommended specification. The minimum spec asks for a Core i5-9400F, 8 GB of RAM, and a GTX 1650, which is hardware from 2019. The 12 GB install size is moderate, and there is no SSD requirement. If you own a gaming PC from the last six to seven years with a budget GPU and 8 GB of RAM, you can run the game at 1080p and 30 to 60 fps on low-to-medium settings.
The recommended tier asks for an RTX 3080 and 16 GB of RAM, which is a genuinely high-end configuration. The gap between the minimum GTX 1650 and the recommended RTX 3080 is one of the largest of any 2026 release, and it reflects the game’s Unreal Engine 5 Lumen global illumination system. If you have a gaming PC from the last three to four years with an RTX 3080 or better and 16 GB of RAM, you meet the recommended tier. However, independent testing found that even an RTX 5080 drops to 30-40 FPS at native 4K, which suggests the game is CPU-bound or poorly optimised at higher resolutions. If you are buying on PC and expect to run the game at 4K with high frame rates, you should be aware of this limitation.
On console, the game launched on 7 May 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The PS5 version runs at 60 fps with a dynamic resolution patch added in July 2026. The Xbox Series X version is Optimised for Xbox Series X|S and supports Xbox Play Anywhere. The Nintendo Switch 2 version runs well in handheld mode and holds a Metacritic score of 90. On Steam Deck, the game is Verified and runs natively on SteamOS with full controller support. There is native macOS support for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. The game is available day one on Xbox Game Pass, making the Xbox and PC versions a low-risk option for subscribers. Mixtape is single-player only, with no multiplayer or online functionality.
Specs and performance may be revised by Beethoven & Dinosaur in future patches, and the developer has already released a dynamic resolution update for consoles in July 2026. This article reflects the Steam store page, Steam Support system requirements page, Epic Games Store listing, GOG listing, GamersGate, VGtimes, Xbox Wire’s Game Pass announcement, Xboxygen, Life is Xbox, Yahoo Tech’s Switch 2 review, Nintendo Life’s Switch 2 review, Steam Deck HQ’s Verified highlights, Steambase, BudgetGamer, Metacritic’s platform listing, IXBT Games’ performance analysis, IGN’s review, and verified outlet reports as of 28 September 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.