Is Mixtape by Beethoven & Dinosaur a Game of the Year contender? Samson and Jordan sit down for a full spoiler review of Mixtape, the 3-hour coming-of-age adventure game published by Annapurna Interactive that dropped May 7, 2026 for $20 on Steam, Switch 2, PlayStation, Xbox, and free on Game Pass.

We go full Rose, Bud & Thorn on this one, breaking down the stunning art direction, curated 90s soundtrack, emotional storytelling, and whether this interactive movie earns its impressive 85 Metacritic score.

⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: We go full spoilers at around 13 min in. A text warning appears on screen.

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Chapters

00:00 Pre-Show Banter and Setup
00:03 Introduction to Mixtape
01:00 Overview of Mixtape's Gameplay and Reception
05:50 Initial Thoughts and Ratings
15:29 Spoiler Discussion Begins
16:21 Rose, Bud, and Thorn Analysis
20:33 Exploring Themes of Growing Up
28:09 The Impact of Music on Experience
44:22 Pacing and Engagement in Gameplay
45:28 Diverse Play Styles and Game Mechanics
47:58 Exploring Interactive Storytelling in Mixtape
50:18 Character Development and Relatability
54:16 Emotional Impact and Personal Connections
58:10 Memorable Moments and Themes
01:03:24 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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One month after launch, Pokémon Champions is still sparking big questions: is it worth your time, who is it for, and does it actually make competitive Pokémon more accessible? In this episode of Grow Up Level Up, Samsonxp, SirDrJM, and Kozibear break down the game’s strengths, frustrations, and long-term potential from team building and rankings to the onboarding experience and the competitive meta.

We also dig into how Pokémon Champions compares to other competitive games, why the smaller roster may actually be a strength, and what needs to improve before the mobile version arrives. If you’re curious about the future of competitive Pokémon, this conversation is for you.

Thank you to Alexander Kozina AKA Kozibear for joining the podcast!
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kozibear.bsky.social

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pokemon Champions
05:38 Community Feedback on Pokemon Champions
07:58 Personal Experiences with Pokemon Champions
49:37 The Mechanics of Pokémon Champions: Pros and Cons
54:22 The Impact of Limited Pokémon Pool
01:10:50 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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We played Kiln, Double Fine’s new multiplayer pottery brawler! Here are our first impressions, gameplay thoughts, and whether it’s worth your time. Thank you to  ⁨@DoubleFineProd⁩  for providing each of us with a copy of the game! #GiftedByDoubleFine #giftedbyxbox

Thanks for joining us again Emily! Check out her work: https://www.instagram.com/emily.created

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kiln and Guests
06:15 First Impressions of Kiln
18:25 Rose, Thorn, and Bud Game Discussion

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Join us for a 5-4-3-2-1 game challenge where we break down our favorite games, top recommendations, games you should start and finish, and the titles that hit us emotionally. From cozy favorites to unforgettable story-driven experiences, this episode is packed with gaming stories, hot takes, and great suggestions for your next playthrough.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sunset Selects
04:15 Exploring the 5-4-3-2-1 Game
05:11 Five Favorites
19:01 Exploring Favorite Games
24:15 Game Recommendations and Insights
34:11 Games to Start and Finish
43:18 Gaming Styles and Challenges
43:39 Reflections on Expedition 33
46:53 Exploring Other Game Picks
49:05 Diving into Sea of Thieves
53:09 Recent Game Recommendations
56:46 Games That Wrecked Us Emotionally
01:08:53 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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We cracked open a REAL copy of Nintendo Power Magazine Volume 194
(August 2005) and it is a full on nostalgia trip! 🕹️

From Mario Kart DS going online for the FIRST time, to the Nintendo
Revolution (later the Wii), StarCraft Ghost, Elite Beat Agents,
One Piece GBA, and more... 2005 was an absolutely WILD year for gaming.

Join SamsonXP and SirDrJM as we flip through every page of this retro
gaming time capsule and react to everything Nintendo had going on in 2005.

🎙️ Grow Up Level Up is the weekly podcast where we talk about the games
that helped us grow up and the games we're playing today.

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00:00 We're Going Back to 2005
02:23 Nintendo Power Magazine Deep Dive
05:09 How Gaming Magazines Shaped Our Childhoods
08:01 Opening the August 2005 Issue Live
10:52 Reader Mail and Letters from 2005 Kids
13:40 Game Previews You Totally Forgot About
16:21 StarCraft Ghost and Wasted Gaming IPs
21:40 Retro Gaming Trivia You Can Use at Bar Night
22:48 Sonic Rush and the DS Era Game Innovations
23:45 The Game Watch Forecast (Nintendo's Hype List)
24:38 Donkey Kong King of Swing Is Underrated
26:28 One Piece GBA... The First One in North America?!
28:44 Mario Kart DS and the Birth of Nintendo Wi-Fi
30:31 E3 2005 Was Actually Insane
33:17 Nintendo Revolution and the Game Boy Micro Reveal
34:36 Twilight Princess Got a TWO HOUR LINE at E3
38:09 Pokemon in 2005 Was Everywhere
41:49 Where Pokemon Has Gone Since Then
42:50 Medal of Honor and the Era of Realistic War Games
44:40 Licensed Games Were Different Back Then
47:40 DS Game Reviews From the Magazine Itself
52:23 Nintendo Power Quizzes and Community Pages
54:16 Final Thoughts and Gaming Memories

Stay connected:
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🚗 This week on Grow Up Level Up! Samson gives his first impressions of the new GTA-like game Samson, dives into some hilarious streaming fails, and shares what’s coming to the channel this April!

From unexpected game bugs to wild driving moments and behind-the-scenes streaming chaos, this is a can’t-miss episode for anyone who loves gaming stories and creator life updates.

🔖 Chapters:

00:00 — Introduction to Samson Plays Samson

03:12 — First Impressions of the Game

08:57 — Upcoming Plans for April

💥 Stay subscribed for more gaming updates, stories, and creator insights every week!

#GrowUpLevelUp #GamingPodcast #SamsonGame #StreamingFails #Twitch #GameReview #ContentCreation #AprilPlans

Join us on Grow Up Level Up for a discussion about the latest in gaming and pop culture with Jordan and Samson. We share first impressions of RACCOIN, talk about Pokopia as a cozy life sim and Pokémon-adjacent experience, revisit nostalgic memories from the 2006, and break down Marvel’s Wonder Man.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Grow Up Level Up Sunset Selects
02:50 Housekeeping and Recent Episodes
04:19 First Impressions of Raccoin
21:36 Exploring Pokopia
46:21 Reader Mail! Nostalgia and Community Memories from 2006
51:37 Reviewing Wonder Man

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Follow Samson:
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It’s time to find out which Pokémon history forgot! Join us as we build a bracket of forgotten Pokémon, battle it out round by round, and crown the BEST of the most overlooked Pokémon of all time.

🧠 Vote for your favorites in the comments!

0:00 Introduction to the Show and Hosts
06:34 Bracket Start

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Join hosts Samson and Jordan for a nostalgic trip back to 2006 gaming! We dive into the Xbox 360 launch, PS3 anticipation, Wii motion controls, and Electronic Gaming Monthly's epic previews featuring PS3/Wii updates, Sonic, the DS, and more!

We look at iconic hits like Gears of War, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Jak X, and handheld gems Mario Kart DS, that defined the era.

#GamingNostalgia #2006Games #RetroGaming #Xbox360 #PS3 #Wii #EGM #LevelUpPodcast #GamingHistory #mariokartds

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction
04:30 Looking into the 2006 Issue of EGM


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Today on Sunset Selects, we review Disney & Pixar’s new movie Hoppers (2026) – a sci‑fi comedy where animal‑lover Mabel hops her mind into a robotic beaver to communicate with animals and help save their habitat from a shady mayor’s plans. We keep things spoiler‑free for most of the episode, then dive into a short spoiler section at the end.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hoppers and Gaming Updates
03:03 Exploring Recent Game Releases
09:00 Hoppers Review
41:19 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
44:34 Ranking Pixar Movies: A Fun Experiment
47:01 Top 10 Pixar Films Revealed
56:00 Spoiler Discussion: Favorite Moments from Hoppers

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Follow Samson:
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