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The Midnight Release

The Midnight Release

By: Chase Austin & Friends
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A nostalgic, late-night rewind through the golden age of gaming, pop culture, and friendship. Join Chase and Austin every week as they relive GameStop midnight launches, classic console wars, and the games and nostalgia that shaped us.

© 2026 The Midnight Release
Science Fiction Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 16 - Icons Never Fade
    Feb 17 2026

    In Episode 16 of The Midnight Release Podcast, we’re joined again by Howie and Wayne as we revisit the characters, franchises, and brands that became larger than the games they came from.

    Who is the true face of PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo? Which franchises became so iconic they transcended gaming into film, television, and pop culture dominance? And are we losing the era of the true “movie star”?

    We explore the evolution of gaming icons, legendary franchises, and unforgettable characters — then shift into Co-op Mode for a discussion on iconic actors and films, before wrapping up with a brand-new segment, Loadout, where we build the ultimate dream night setup.

    Whether it’s pixel legends, blockbuster heroes, or cultural symbols, one thing is certain:

    Icons never fade.

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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Episode 15 - From Power Levels to Life Lessons
    Feb 10 2026

    Anime didn’t just entertain us — it raised us.

    In Episode 15 of The Midnight Release Podcast, we’re diving deep into the worlds, characters, and stories that shaped a generation. Joined by Howie and Wayne, this episode blends nostalgia, culture, and real-life reflection as we explore how anime went from “not cool” to fully mainstream — and why its lessons still hit hard today.

    From our first exposure through Toonami blocks to debating power levels, favorite series, and the life lessons hidden beneath the action, this is a full-on celebration of anime’s impact on who we are.

    We also jump into recurring segments Now Loading (TRUE blind anime rankings) and Next Gen, where we break down the recent Dragon Ball pop-up event.

    Press start — this one’s personal.

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Episode 14 - Trading Cards and Terrible Regrets
    Feb 3 2026

    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.

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    1 hr and 1 min
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