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.

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.

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.