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.