The Game Deflators

The Game Deflators

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The Game Deflators episodes

  • 370: The Game Deflators E364 | From Rampage to Chaos: Brian Colin’s Wild Ride Through Game Design

    In this electrifying episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan sit down with legendary game designer and animator Brian Colin, the creative force behind arcade classics like Rampage and Arch Rivals. Brian takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the unpredictable early days of game development—described as the “Wild West” of the industry—and shares how a twist of fate launched his…

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    51 min
  • 369: The Game Deflators E363 | Is Magic the Gathering Losing Its Magic?

    This week on The Game Deflators, John and Ryan kick things off with their latest gaming pickups and a spoiler-filled discussion of Silent Hill f. The guys break down the ending and share whether it lived up to the series’ legacy—or left them scratching their heads. Next, it’s on to Magic: The Gathering, where recent comments from Mark Rosewater have reignited debate around Universes Beyond.

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    1 hr 20 min
  • 368: The Game Deflators E362 | Free Game Pass with Ads? You Won’t Believe the Rumors

    In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share their hands-on impressions of Silent Hill f, discussing their current progress in the game and how its unsettling atmosphere and narrative twists are stacking up so far. They also dive into industry-shaking rumors, including speculation that Xbox may be shifting away from console hardware to focus exclusively on cloud gaming…

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    1 hr 2 min
  • The Game Deflators E361 | Silent Hill f Delivers Chills and GameStop Delivers Chaos

    The Game Deflators Podcast – Episode 361 Episode 361 brought a mix of classic RPG exploration, collectible card critiques, retail frustrations, and a chilling preview of the spooky season ahead. John and Ryan unpacked their latest gaming adventures, industry observations, and what’s coming next. Witcher 1: A Rough but Worthy Start John’s deep into The Witcher and shared his thoughts on the…

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    1 hr 14 min
  • The Game Deflators E360 | Nintendo and Sony Court Battles Heat Up

    Game Deflators Podcast – Episode 360 In the latest episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan tackle a packed lineup of gaming drama, from sequel games to the legal maneuvers shaking up the industry. With sharp takes on Nintendo’s battle against modding culture and a heated debate over Tencent’s lawsuit against Sony, the duo blends retro charm with current controversy. Whether you’re a…

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    1 hr 17 min
  • The Game Deflators E359 | Gamers Furious Over Nintendo’s New Patents + Worst Direct Ever?

    Game Deflators Podcast – Episode 359 In the latest episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive headfirst into a whirlwind of gaming news, nostalgic pickups, and a heated discussion about Nintendo’s controversial patent filings. From retro gaming setups to the future of game development, the duo delivers a compelling mix of insight and humor that fans of the industry won’t want to…

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    44 min
  • The Game Deflators E358 | Silksong Backlash & Switch 2 Dev Kit Snub
    Silksong Hype, Switch 2 Roadblocks, and Streets of Rage 2

    Episode 358 of The Game Deflators Podcast kept the energy of Sequel September rolling, this time with a dive into Streets of Rage 2 on the Sega Genesis. But before we got to side-scrolling brawls, the week was packed with pickups, playthroughs, and plenty of hot takes.

    There were some new cards and boxes to crack open — Bloomburrow is shaping up to be a fun draft set, with plans for cubes and sealed nights on the horizon. There was also time to finish Neva, a short but emotionally heavy game with breathtaking watercolor visuals and themes that hit harder for anyone sensitive to animal loss. Some loved its quiet beauty, others found it tough to sit with. On the longer side, progress continued in The Witcher, even if side quests sometimes felt like endless fetch missions.

     

    And then there was Beyblade. After weeks of joking, it finally happened — the anime got its first watch-through. The verdict? Cringy voice acting, questionable “anime gravity,” and yet… weirdly addictive. Sometimes you can’t look away, even when the ripcord physics make no sense.

     

    The other big play of the week was Hollow Knight: Silksong. Finally out, finally in our hands, and immediately one of the hardest Metroidvanias around. The movement feels slick and expressive, the combat demands perfection, and the healing system forces big risks. It’s no surprise that while reviews are overwhelmingly positive, some players are venting about difficulty spikes and small design tweaks. To us, it feels like a game that will shine brightest once the speedrunning community really gets its hands on it — though for most players, it’s going to be a tough but rewarding journey.

     

    From there, the discussion moved to industry news. Nintendo’s handling of Switch 2 dev kits raised eyebrows: indie studios seem to have easier access than some major AAA teams. The logic might be tied to Nintendo’s history of leaning on indie support, but it’s still baffling to think of a new console rolling out without widespread developer access. It sparks the question: is Nintendo too focused on supporting its massive Switch 1 install base, even at the expense of giving the sequel a strong start?

     

    Finally, we got to Streets of Rage 2. This Genesis classic is peak beat-’em-up: chunky sprites, tight combos, and bosses that take serious coordination (or lots of jump kicks). Playing on original hardware, there was even a toddler cameo with a controller in hand — let’s just say it made survival a little more chaotic. Still, the game shines as one of the genre’s standouts, a perfect mix of style and action that holds up remarkably well today.

     

    When it came time for the Inflation/Deflation Challenge, the numbers spoke clearly: complete copies run around $52, loose carts about $22. For a game of this caliber, that price feels fair — maybe even a little deflated compared to its legacy.

     

    As we wrapped, the plan for next week took shape: continuing Sequel September with Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland on the GBA. It’s not quite spooky season yet, but it’s close enough — and the perfect way to keep exploring sequels that defined their eras.

     

    Articles covered:https://screenrant.com/hollow-knight-silksong-very-positive-steam-reviews/  https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/nintendos-backward-compatibility-is-ruining-the-switch-2  

    Want more Game Deflators content? Find us at http://www.thegamedeflators.com  

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    Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18 

    54 min
  • The Game Deflators E357 | PAX West 2025 Indie Games + VGP & PlayAsia De Minimis

    Episode 357 of The Game Deflators Podcast marked the start of what we’re calling “Sequel September,” and it only made sense to begin with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. Crash has always been one of those franchises that defined the PlayStation era, so revisiting the sequel gave us a chance to reflect on how far the series — and gaming itself — has come since 1997. As usual…

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    53 min
  • The Game Deflators E356 | Silksong Is Breaking the Industry & Critical Role Ditches Daggerheart?

    Episode 356 of The Game Deflators Podcast took a spin back to the original Twisted Metal on PlayStation. But before diving into weaponized vehicles and Calypso’s cursed wish-granting, the week was overflowing with new pickups, throwback distractions, and plenty of hot takes. On the collectibles front, the haul included Shredder’s Revenge on PS4, a Frenzied Baloth and Soulstone Sanctuary from the…

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    56 min
  • The Game Deflators E355 | Palworld Knockoff Hits the eShop?! What Is Nintendo Thinking?

    This week on The Game Deflators Podcast – John and Ryan dive into the cardboard chaos of Magic: The Gathering, unpacking their latest pickups and sounding off on the absurdity of collector booster prices. Is Wizards of the Coast pricing out its own fanbase? Meanwhile, John shares his progress on Final Fantasy VI and The Witcher, revealing whether pixel nostalgia or monster hunting is winning his…

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    1 hr 15 min

About The Game Deflators

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The Game Deflators is a weekly podcast hosted by a couple of guys who truly enjoy video games and nerd culture. Listen in weekly to hear current video game news, new video game pickups, and video game…