In this episode of Midnight Release, we crack open the binders and relive the heartbreak.

From Pokémon, Magic, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto trading cards to modern TCGs like Fusion World, Gundam, and Riftbound, we dive headfirst into the world of trading cards — the ones we loved, the ones we ruined, and the collections we absolutely should not have sold.

We talk OG card shop culture, Toys “R” Us memories, card sleeves we definitely didn’t use, and how today’s market has been reshaped by scalpers, collabs, and chase culture.

Plus:

• A brand-new recurring segment Continue? where we talk about games sitting unfinished in our backlog
• The DLC Drop with upcoming releases you should have on your radar
• And a look ahead at next episode’s deep dive into anime, Toonami, and how it shaped a generation

Cut the deck — regret is part of the game.

In this special .5 collaboration episode of The Midnight Release, Chase sits down with Morgan from The Gaming Caffe to revisit one of gaming’s most defining eras: The Console Wars.

From heated playground debates to unforgettable midnight launches, we dive deep into the rivalries that shaped us — PlayStation vs Xbox vs Nintendo — and the games and consoles that defined entire generations. Morgan shares his personal experiences, favorite systems, and the titles that left a lasting impact, with a heavy focus on the PS2 / Xbox / GameCube era and the legendary Xbox 360 / PS3 / Wii generation.

We also look ahead to what’s coming next, including anticipated games of 2026, and reflect on how these console wars shaped not just gaming culture, but who we became as players.

Welcome to Player Two — pull up a chair.

A nostalgic deep dive into the early internet — before algorithms, feeds, and infinite scroll. From Newgrounds to old YouTube, MySpace to Limewire, we explore how browsing used to feel… and what’s changed.

In Episode 13 of The Midnight Release, we dive headfirst into The Lost Art of Browsing: a time when the internet felt wild, personal, and endlessly discoverable. From Newgrounds animations and Ebaumsworld rabbit holes to early YouTube, Limewire downloads, fan sites, and waiting forever for anime dubs — this episode is a full nostalgia run.

We talk about how the internet used to feel, how social media evolved from MySpace Top 8s to algorithm-driven feeds, and what we may have lost along the way. Along the journey, we hit side quests, build the perfect nostalgic “loadout,” and look ahead at how AI, education, and modern tech are reshaping discovery today.

Press Start — let’s browse.

Retro is back — and it’s everywhere.

In Episode 12 of The Midnight Release, Chase and Austin dig into Retro Resurrections, exploring why old-school games, hardware, music, and tech are making such a massive comeback in 2026. From TikTok Shop emulation devices and retro mini consoles to vinyl records, remasters, and reboots, nostalgia is having a moment — but does it actually hold up?

The guys break down the difference between nostalgia and quality, debate whether older games are still good or just comforting, and talk about how modern gaming has reintroduced retro vibes through filters, remasters, and updated mechanics. They also dive into how GameStop and other retailers now handle retro gaming, and why mom-and-pop retro stores are thriving again.

Side Quests this week include Now Loading, where Chase and Austin quiz each other on top story-driven games and best-selling titles, and a brand-new segment called Patch Notes, where they reflect on how the podcast has evolved, recap the journey so far, and talk about what’s next for The Midnight Release in 2026 — including future topics, collaborations, and more video content.

If you love retro gaming, remakes, nostalgia, and watching old ideas come back stronger (or sometimes worse), this one’s worth lining up for.

Chase from The Midnight Release sits down with Tim from The Small Time Arcade for a special Episode 1.5 video discussion, spinning off from our original episode “Midnight at GameStop.”

Together, we dive into midnight launch memories, GameStop culture, and what it was really like being part of those late-night releases that felt bigger than just buying a game. Tim shares his personal experiences, favorite memories, and — in true Midnight Release fashion — we go down a few unexpected nostalgia rabbit holes along the way.

This episode is all about the memories, the vibes, and the moments that made midnight launches feel special — whether it was GameStop, arcades, or just lining up with friends waiting for the clock to hit twelve.

🎮 Topics include:
• Midnight launch memories
• Working and shopping at GameStop
• Gaming culture before digital took over
• Arcade nostalgia and community
• Favorite games and late-night moments

If you enjoy gaming nostalgia, retro memories, and casual deep-dive conversations, you’re in the right place.

📩 Contact us: themidnightreleasepod@gmail.com
🎧 Listen to the podcast: The Midnight Release (wherever you get your podcasts)

Remember — some memories are worth lining up for.

From trade-ins and promo cards to midnight launches and penny-out merch, this week we dive headfirst into the used-game economy and the GameStop culture that shaped a generation. Nostalgia, chaos, and a little emotional damage included.

In Episode 11 of The Midnight Release, Chase and Austin go full GameStop nostalgia mode with “Used and Sometimes Abused.”

This week’s Story Mode focuses on the wild, wonderful, and sometimes unhinged world of used games and trade-ins — from questionable customer trades and brutal trade values to Edge cards, PowerUp Rewards, midnight launches, and why GameStop (and its competitors) felt like more than just a store.

Along the way, we reminisce about:

• The weirdest things people tried to trade in
• Trade values then vs. now
• Game Informer, promo deals, and conference perks
• Store remodels, TVs, penny-out merch, and early access experiences
• Why midnight launches hit different — and why we miss them so much

For Side Quests, we jump into:

• Disc of the Day, spotlighting Pokémon across generations — past, present, and future
• Rewind Select, where we rewind even further to music stores, CD listening stations, anti-skip lies, MP3 players, iPods, and the wild west of Limewire

To close things out, we reflect on whether it’s nostalgia, aging, or something deeper that keeps pulling us back — and tease next week’s gaming-focused episode, “Retro Resurrection.”

As always, some memories are worth lining up for.

The way we consume movies, games, and media has fundamentally changed. In this episode of The Midnight Release, we dive into the end of physical media and the rise of digital, unpacking what we gained, what we lost, and why nostalgia still hits harder when something can sit on a shelf.

From VHS tapes and DVD binders to digital storefronts and streaming libraries, media has gone through a massive transformation over the last few decades.

In Episode 10: End of an Era, Chase and Austin kick off 2026 by breaking down the shift from physical to digital media across movies, games, and entertainment as a whole. They reflect on formats that defined generations, the rise (and fall) of retailers carrying physical media, and how gaming — especially consoles — made the pivot faster than anyone expected.

The conversation spans everything from:

• VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and steelbook collections
• Streaming services changing how we watch movies
• Physical vs digital gaming ownership
• GameStop’s fight to stay relevant in a digital-first world
• Collector’s editions, midnight launches, and nostalgia that can’t be downloaded

Along the way, they jump into side quests covering social media trends, character guessing games, and deep-pull New Year memories that remind us just how much has changed — and how some traditions still stick around.

As always, this episode blends gaming culture, pop culture, and nostalgia, asking the big question: Was the convenience worth the cost?

🎧 Line up with us — some memories are still worth holding onto.

Growing up doesn’t mean putting the controller down.
In Episode 9 of The Midnight Release, we reflect on what adulthood looks like through a gamer’s lens — the memories that shaped us, the media that stayed with us, and how we balance nostalgia with real-life responsibilities as we close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026.

This week, Chase and Austin take a step back to talk about what growing up actually feels like — how childhood dreams compare to adult realities, how gaming and media still play a meaningful role in their lives, and why “feeling like an adult” is often more complicated than expected.

They dive into:

• Childhood dreams vs. adult reality
• How GameStop shaped their early professional lives
• What “being an adult” looked like as kids vs. now
• Games, movies, and anime that left a lasting impact
• Funny real-life “achievements” and milestones

Side quests this episode include Bonus Level, where Chase talks about his first experiences with Dungeons & Dragons and fandoms like Critical Role, and Next Gen, where the guys look ahead to 2026 — upcoming games, movies, personal goals, and podcast plans for the new year.

Whether you’re leveling up in life, grinding through responsibilities, or just holding onto the things that still bring you joy, this episode is a reminder that some achievements aren’t tracked by trophies — but they still matter.