This week on Game Pass or Pass, we're hitting rewind and pressing play on Mixtape, the coming-of-age road trip adventure from Beethoven & Dinosaur and Annapurna Interactive.

More than just a narrative game, Mixtape is a love letter to music, memory, and the awkward, exhilarating moments that define growing up. We dive into how the game's soundtrack drives the entire experience, why its unapologetically linear design feels more like playing through a favorite album than a traditional video game, and whether that approach helps or hurts the experience.

We also explore the debate surrounding Mixtape's "indie" label. With a major publisher, a licensed soundtrack, and production values that rival much larger releases, where does it fit in today's gaming landscape? As the line between indie and AAA continues to blur, Mixtape has become part of a larger conversation about what "indie" even means anymore.


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MIxtape, I Think We Are Supposed to Hate This?

Xbox Showcase 2026: Somehow...Exclusives Returned...

The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 brought a packed lineup of announcements, including the reveal of Persona 6, a new look at Fable, more details on Gears of War: E-Day, and the surprise return of Spyro. Microsoft also continued to showcase its evolving strategy of bringing more of its games beyond the Xbox ecosystem, while also announcing console exclusives...

What does it mean to be an Xbox exclusive in 2026?

As Xbox expands its reach across multiple platforms, fans and industry analysts remain divided. Some see the move as a smart business decision that puts games in front of more players and grows major franchises. Others argue that exclusives are a key part of a platform's identity and that moving away from them could weaken the value of owning an Xbox console.

In this episode, we break down the biggest announcements from the showcase, discuss what stood out, what was missing, and examine the growing shift toward a multi-platform future. Are console exclusives becoming a thing of the past, or do they still play a critical role in the gaming industry?

Tune in as we explore the announcements, the reactions, and the future of Xbox in a gaming landscape where the lines between platforms continue to blur.


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Xbox 2026 Summer Showcase...Somehow...Exclusives Returned

After a year packed with Game Pass drops, sequels, surprises, and a few wild swings, it is time to settle it. This is our Game of the Year 2025 episode.

In this special episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down every game that made our final nomination list and debate which one truly defined 2025 not just on paper but in how it felt to play.

Our Game of the Year 2025 nominees are
Balatro
Clair Obscur Expedition 33
PowerWash Simulator 2
Monster Train 2
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4
Lost in Random The Eternal Die
Avowed
Ball X Pit
Doom The Dark Ages
Atomfall
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

We discuss
Why each of these games earned a nomination
Which titles surprised us the most
How Game Pass shaped our time with many of these games
The difference between most impressive and most unforgettable
And which game ultimately rose above the rest

This episode is not about consensus. It is about perspective. Whether you agree with our final pick or think we are completely wrong, this is our full breakdown of what made 2025 such a memorable year for gaming.


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Game Pass Game of the Year 2025

This week we dive into PowerWash Simulator 2, the long-anticipated sequel that finally launched in October 2025 and arrived day-one on Xbox Game Pass. We explore whether this follow-up keeps the relaxing magic of the first game or if it leans too heavily on the formula.

In this episode, we break down:

How the core loop evolves across 38 full jobs throughout Caldera County, with multi-stage tasks and larger, more complex environments

The expanded toolset: adjustable nozzles, surface cleaners, scissor lifts, and abseiling gear that add depth without overcomplicating the “power wash zen” the series is known for

Major multiplayer upgrades, including cross-play co-op, shared campaign progress, and split-screen local options

The new customizable “home base” that lets you decorate, store gear, and personalize your space

Long-term support and whether the game feels built for regular content drops, DLC, and replay value

Then we ask the real question: does PowerWash Simulator 2 offer enough freshness to stand above the original, or is it simply a more polished version of what fans already love?

Tune in for our full breakdown — and whether we say play it or pass it.


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PowerWash Simulator 2, Free Soap for Everyone!

Sometimes Game Pass drops something serious, sometimes something cinematic… and sometimes it drops a game where you launch balls into a pit and cause absolute mayhem. This week, we’re talking about Ball X Pit, a deceptively simple arcade-style title that’s all about physics-driven chaos, fast scoring, and “one more try” addiction.

In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down what makes Ball X Pit work—and what doesn’t:

The core gameplay loop and why it’s weirdly satisfying despite being so simple

How the game ramps difficulty and unlocks new ball types, hazards, and pit modifiers

Whether the physics feel tight and intentional or more on the unpredictable, goofy side

If the game has enough depth to keep you hooked, or if it runs out of steam fast

Is Ball X Pit the kind of score-chasing, dopamine-hit arcade fun that deserves a spot in your rotation? Or is it just another Game Pass curiosity you’ll play once and forget?


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Ball X Pit, Is it Ball Cross Pit or Ball X Pit?

As we roll into the end of 2025, Xbox feels like it’s in the weirdest place it’s ever been.

In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we sit down and talk through the massive shift Microsoft made at the start of October 2025: the full Xbox Game Pass revamp with new tiers (Essential, Premium, and Ultimate), the 50% price hike on Ultimate to $29.99/month, the jump in PC Game Pass pricing, and the confusing split between day-one releases on Ultimate versus “within a year” access on other tiers. We break down what each tier actually gets you now, how that compares to just a couple of years ago, and why the current structure feels so wild and hard to message to normal players. 

We also dig into the broader context that got Xbox here: another major round of layoffs, around 9,000 jobs across Microsoft with thousands tied to Xbox; the closure of The Initiative; and the cancellation of high-profile first-party projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, plus heavy cuts at Turn 10 and other studios. We talk honestly about how all of that undercuts the “we care about creators” messaging, and how it collides with Microsoft’s push toward a more PC-centric, multi-platform strategy where Xbox games show up on PlayStation, Switch, and Windows as services rather than true console exclusives. 

From there, we zoom out and look at where Game Pass sits going into 2026:

Is Ultimate still worth the money after the price hikes and restructuring? PC Gamer+1 [https://www.pcgamer.com/games/game-pass-gets-major-price-hike-to-offer-more-flexibility-choice-and-value-microsoft-says-with-a-completely-straight-face/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Does the new tier setup actually give players “more choice,” or just more confusion? 

What does Game Pass look like in a world where Microsoft is clearly prioritizing Windows, cloud, and publishing on competing hardware over building a strong console identity?

We close the episode by looking across the aisle at PlayStation’s future hardware plans. Sony’s CFO is now on record saying PS5 is only “in the middle of its journey,” while leaks and reporting continue to point toward a PlayStation 6 sometime in the later part of this decade and a Switch-style PS6 handheld that’s designed around backward compatibility with PS4 and PS5 titles. We talk about what a PS6 and PS6 handheld could mean for Xbox’s next console, and whether Microsoft’s current moves put them in a better place for that fight—or a weaker one. 

By the end of it, we’re asking a simple question with a messy answer: Is Game Pass still the best deal in gaming, or is Microsoft burning a lot of goodwill right as the next generation starts to come into view?


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The Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Console Mess

Two very different games. One episode.

In this week’s Game Pass or Pass, we’re taking a look at the upcoming dark action RPG Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and the hands-on creativity of Spray Paint Simulator. They couldn’t be further apart in tone, but both raise the question: does uniqueness automatically mean quality?

We discuss:

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – How its Soulslike combat, plague-ridden setting, and folklore-driven narrative stack up against heavy hitters like Elden Ring and Lies of P. Does its style and atmosphere carry enough weight to stand on its own?

Spray Paint Simulator – A completely different vibe, focusing on freedom of expression through tagging, murals, and customization. Is it a laid-back creative sandbox, or just another niche sim with limited staying power?

The strange contrast of covering these two back-to-back, and what that says about the variety Game Pass offers.

Which one we think has a stronger shot at holding player attention long-term.

Do either of these titles have what it takes to be more than a curiosity on Game Pass? Or are they destined to fade into the backlog?

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers & Spray Paint Simulator From Feathers to Graffiti –

We kick off this episode with a write-in discussion on the recent Microsoft layoffs and game cancellations, including the uncertainty around projects like Perfect Dark. It’s a tough conversation about the state of Xbox, studios, and what this means for players moving forward.
In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive in deep on the remaster’s biggest questions:

Skating remade, but gospel intact: How Iron Galaxy rebuilt classic parks in stunning 4K, added new levels like Waterpark, Pinball, and Movie Studio, and expanded Create-A-Park tools—without losing that signature two-minute trick combo rush.

More than nostalgia: New game modes—including New Game+—cross-platform multiplayer for up to eight players, fresh unlockables, and enhanced creation tools give it surprisingly lasting appeal.

Trick-filled surprises: Guest skaters like TMNT’s Michelangelo are finally playable, alongside the Doom Slayer and modern pros like Riley Hawk—Tony’s real-life son, now skating in-game and making his mark in the family legacy.

What fans are saying: Critics praise its faithful feel and presentation, although some note that THPS 4’s original open-ended career design was simplified back into traditional level progression.

Does Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 stand as the skater’s rightful return, or does it skate by on nostalgia alone? Tune in to hear our full breakdown of how this remaster rides the line between reverence and reinvention.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Now with More Doom

What happens when you mix stop-motion-inspired visuals, card-based combat, and a dice companion that can literally change your fate? You get Lost in Random: The Eternal Die — a bizarre, Tim Burton-esque action-adventure that’s equal parts whimsical and unsettling.

In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive into:

How the dice-rolling mechanic impacts combat pacing and strategy

The blend of real-time action with deck-building and why it’s unlike most Game Pass titles

The dark fairy tale world design and how it elevates the game’s atmosphere

Whether the story and gameplay loop hold up through the entire journey or start to feel repetitive

How “The Eternal Die” expansion adds new layers to the original and if it’s worth revisiting

Is Lost in Random: The Eternal Die a hidden gem on Game Pass, or just a stylish curiosity that runs out of luck?

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Its NOT Monopoly

n this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we put on the gear and hit the streets with two procedural-heavy sims: Firefighting Simulator: The Squad and Police Simulator: Patrol Officers — both from the same publisher, both promising realism and co-op-friendly gameplay.

But what we found was... odd. These games aim for authenticity, but somehow miss the mark in both realism and gameplay depth. They're not exactly arcade, not exactly sim — just somewhere in between.

We break down:

The moment-to-moment gameplay and why it can feel more like following a checklist than fighting fires or solving crimes

The inconsistent tone — realistic job settings mixed with strange AI, clunky animations, and mechanics that don’t quite reflect real-world procedures

Whether there's enough content and progression to keep players engaged past the first few missions

How they compare to other Game Pass co-op or sim-style titles

Are these chill, low-stakes co-op options worth a download — or do they fall flat trying to simulate something they don’t fully commit to?

Firefighting Simulator & Police Simulator, Sim Cop & Rescue

Xbox Game Pass is one of the best values for gamers on Xbox and on PC. But not every game is worth your time. On the Game Pass or Pass Podcast, we tell you which games you should download and which games you should pass on by.