From Game Boy and PSP to Switch and Steam Deck, we rewind through handheld gaming history. Plus: Game Awards reactions, reveals we loved (and hated), and a handheld-themed quiz.

This week on The Midnight Release, Chase and Austin jump back into gaming with Episode 7: “Pocket Power”, a full rewind through the history of handheld gaming — from the original Game Boy all the way to modern handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and the Switch 2.

We talk about where we each started, our favorite handheld consoles and games, unforgettable Pokémon memories, funny (and painful) stories from the road, and how handheld gaming has evolved from simple pixels to full console-level experiences in your hands. We also dig into GameStop-era handheld chaos — trades, bundles, thefts, and holiday madness.

On the Side Quest front, Chase flips the script in Now Loading, quizzing Austin with “opposite-name” versions of classic handheld games. Then we introduce a brand-new segment, Checkpoint Chat, where we break down the Game Awards — winners, snubs, reveals, and what has us hyped heading into 2026.

It’s a nostalgia-heavy episode packed with handheld history, industry talk, and the kind of conversations that only happen when you’ve lived through every generation.

🎮 Some power fits right in your pocket.