Mixtape took home Game of the Year at the 2026 Australian Game Developer Awards, capping a night in which the Melbourne-made title won three honors total. The music-themed adventure game, developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur, also picked up Excellence in Visual Art and Excellence in Sound Design.
Mixtape’s Game Of The Year Win And Other Honors
Mixtape is a minigame-driven adventure built around a music theme, and its soundtrack leans heavily on licensed tracks from acts including Devo, The Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair and Iggy Pop. AGDA judges praised the game as a triumph in virtual storytelling, saying it pairs a distinct visual identity with heartfelt music to create one of the most memorable gaming experiences in recent memory.
Johnny Galvatron, director at Beethoven & Dinosaur, credited the studio’s team for the result. “Mixtape won Game of the Year plus Excellence in Visual Art and Sound Design at the 2026 Australian Game Developer Awards.”Mixtape Wins Game of the Year at AGDAs”Mixtape was the outcome of an amazingly talented team,” Galvatron said. “To go from wanting to make a game around Devo to creating something that resonates with so many people is mind blowing. We’re lucky to be part of such a talented community, and I’m so proud of Mixtape and my team.”
The win adds to critical praise Mixtape received earlier in the year. IGN‘s May review called the game a musical delight from start to finish, saying it sets a new standard for coming-of-age stories in video games with a masterful sense of style.
Other Major Winners At The 2026 AGDAs
Mixtape was not the only title to walk away with multiple trophies. Bits & Bops, a rhythm game from Tempo Lab Games, won both Excellence in Gameplay and Excellence in Accessibility.
Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar, a puzzle platformer from developer Abandoned Sheep, took Excellence in Narrative. Canberra-based Uppercut Games was named Studio of the Year, rounding out the night’s headline categories.
- Game of the Year: Mixtape (Beethoven & Dinosaur)
- Excellence in Visual Art: Mixtape (Beethoven & Dinosaur)
- Excellence in Sound Design: Mixtape (Beethoven & Dinosaur)
- Excellence in Gameplay: Bits & Bops (Tempo Lab Games)
- Excellence in Accessibility: Bits & Bops (Tempo Lab Games)
- Excellence in Narrative: Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar (Abandoned Sheep)
- Studio of the Year: Uppercut Games
What The Wins Mean For Fans
For players following Australia’s game development scene, the sweep signals that Mixtape has become a defining release of the year, backed by both critics and industry peers. The AGDA judges’ description of the game as a standout storytelling achievement echoes the reception IGN gave it back in May, suggesting the praise has only grown since launch.
The ceremony’s timing alongside PAX Aus 2026 means fans in Melbourne this week have a chance to see some of these award-winning titles and studios represented at the convention as Melbourne International Games Week wraps up.
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