Annapurna Interactive’s Mixtape wasn’t just one of the most talked-about games at Summer Game Fest 2025. The incredible 1980s-themed booth was an experience in itself — and one you had to see to believe. Thankfully for you, if you were there and missed it or weren’t there, we got video for you to check it out.
During Summer Game Fest 2025, Annapurna Interactive, publisher of the upcoming title from Beethoven and Dinosaur, Mixtape, devised a way to push the game’s immersion to an entirely new level. While they could have simply put up a few posters or filled a room with retro items, the team went the extra mile by rewinding the hands of time.
Upon stepping into the booth, you were instantly transported to the past, as if stepping inside a time capsule, thanks to the efforts of the team that transformed the room into an 1980s living room. The space was complete with CRT TVs — one authentic, and several LCDs wrapped in overlays to emulate the classic look. Shelves were packed with items from the 1980s and 1990s, including multiple Nintendo Entertainment Systems, a Nintendo 64, skateboards, those quirky neon lights that were so popular back then, and so much more.
I was so excited when I saw the room that I thought to myself, “More people need to see this.” So I whipped out my phone and recorded the space, because honestly, it was the best-looking display at the entire event. Hands down, the best.
Heading to the front desk to snag a few Gushers candies, I spoke with the two lovely ladies at the front — though I completely forgot their names… sorry about that — and asked about the setup. They pointed me to the person responsible for it all. During a short conversation, I was informed that while it only took a day to physically set up the room, it took six to seven weeks of planning, designing, and sourcing all the cool retro items that made the space so incredible.
So, yeah. While Summer Game Fest 2025 was all about the games, it’s a shame that the booths weren’t being judged. This one would have easily taken the top prize.
Mixtape is scheduled for release in 2025, although no official release date has been announced just yet.
For more of our Summer Game Fest 2025 coverage, be sure to check out the rest of our content, including Dying Light: The Beast, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Resident Evil 9 Requiem, and much more.
