This week, Chase and Austin hit rewind on the Saturday morning era, weekly show blocks, cartoons, toys, and the shows that shaped a generation. From Toonami and TMNT to Limewire nostalgia and cereal-fueled memories, it’s pure retro comfort.

Grab your cereal and your comfiest blanket — this week, we’re rewinding to an era when Saturday mornings meant something.

In “Saturday Morning Saved Us,” Chase and Austin dive into the shows that shaped their childhoods and beyond: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, X-Men, Sonic, Freakazoid, Animaniacs, Dragon Ball Z, and the mighty Toonami block that introduced an entire generation to anime.

They swap stories about growing up in the golden age of Fox Kids, WB Kids, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network; plus, how the transition from Saturday mornings to streaming changed everything.

From Crossfire commercials to Limewire regrets, this episode is a nostalgic ride through TV, toys, and the moments that made the ‘90s and ‘00s unforgettable.

🎮 Side Quests this week:

• Now Loading: 15 words or less — Austin gives two-word hints for retro characters from shows, Chase guesses the lineup.
• Rewind Select: A deep pull into the toy box — Dragon Ball Z figures, Mighty Max, TMNT, Power Rangers, and more.

And as always, they close out with this week’s listener question:
💬 “What’s your favorite GameStop story — as an employee, customer, or spectator of the madness?”

🎧 Segments This Episode:

Press Start: Reflecting on The Midnight Release’s growing community and introducing “Listener Memory Card”
Story Mode: Saturday Morning Saved Us — a trip through cartoons, anime, and the magic of weekend TV
Side Quests:

• Now Loading — Guess the character in 15 words or less
• Rewind Select — Nostalgia toys and childhood merch memories
  Save Point: Wrap-up & listener challenge: Your best GameStop memory

The Console Wars defined a generation — and for those of us behind the counter at GameStop, and even for the launches where we weren't behind the counter, it was more than just competition; it was a culture.

In this episode, Chase and Austin boot up Story Mode to revisit the epic clash between PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo through the 2000s — from the PS2 and Xbox launch madness to the unforgettable 360 vs. PS3 rivalry. Along the way, they share personal stories from midnight launches, nostalgic memories of classic IPs like Halo, Uncharted, Bioshock, and The Last of Us, and debate which console truly reigned supreme.

Then, they take on Side Quests:
🎮 Disc of the Day: A dive into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 — “No Russian,” multiplayer mayhem, and the golden age of FPS.
💭 Power Cycle: A more personal conversation on what gaming really means — creativity, connection, and comfort. From Metal Gear Solid to Pokémon, from Final Fantasy VIII to Ghost of Tsushima, it’s all about the games (and moments) that made us who we are.

Finally, in Save Point, the hosts reflect, tease next week’s “Saturday Morning Saved Us,” and ask: What was your first Call of Duty, and how did it shape your love of FPS?

So power up your nostalgia and remember — some memories are worth lining up for.

🎧 Segments This Episode:

Press Start: Rewind with Chase & Austin to the golden era of the Console Wars.

Story Mode: Deep dive into the rivalries that defined generations, starting with PS2 all the way to PS5, Xbox to Series X, and the unforgettable midnight launch madness at GameStop and before.

Side Quests:
🎮 Disc of the Day - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and the golden age of FPS: “No Russian,” Halo LAN parties, and why couch co-op will never die.
💭 Power Cycle - When did you become a gamer? A nostalgic and personal reflection on how games, anime, and music shaped who we are.

Save Point: Wrap-up & listener challenge — What was your first Call of Duty experience, and how did it shape your view of modern FPS gaming?

We’re kicking off The Midnight Release by rewinding to those legendary GameStop midnight launches — chaos, nostalgia, caffeine, and the golden age of gaming culture.

In our official kickoff episode, Chase and Austin press start on The Midnight Release and take you back to a time when gamers lined up outside GameStop for the biggest launches of the 2000s.

From Halo 2 to Modern Warfare 2 and everything in between, the guys share their memories as both fans and employees during the golden era of midnight releases; the hype, the chaos, and the unforgettable stories from behind the counter.

Then in Now Loading, they rank the entire Halo franchise in honor of the current buzz around Halo: Campaign Evolved Remake. And in The DLC Drop, they dive into remakes and reboots worth your time — from Fallout nostalgia to Final Fantasy Tactics and Lunar remasters.

Grab your energy drink, dust off your pre-order receipts, and settle in — because some memories are worth lining up for.

Press Start: Meet Chase & Austin, and learn how The Midnight Release works

Story Mode: Midnight at GameStop — legendary launches & wild customer stories

Side Quests:

• Now Loading — Ranking the Halo series
• The DLC Drop — Which remakes deserve your time

Save Point: Wrap-up & listener challenge: What’s your favorite game of all time?

Welcome to The Midnight Release; a nostalgic, late-night dive into gaming culture, retro memories, and the friendships that formed behind the counter and beyond the screen.

In this special pre-release teaser, Chase gives a quick preview of what’s to come:
🎮 Stories from the golden era of working at GameStop
💾 Deep dives into the Console Wars, midnight launches, and lost classics
🔥 Thoughtful moments about how gaming shaped who we are

Get ready to press start every Monday night at midnight (Eastern). Because some memories are worth lining up for.