The Game Deflators

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 career in gaming.

From the explosive success of Rampage to the surreal experience of seeing it adapted into a Hollywood blockbuster, Brian reflects on the highs and hurdles of his career. He opens up about the importance of finishing what you start, the power of team dynamics, and why passion is the lifeblood of great game creation. Plus, he teases his latest project: a long-awaited sequel to General Chaos.

Whether you're a retro gaming fan or a budding developer, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a few surprises—including Brian’s induction into the White Castle Hall of Fame. Tune in for a masterclass in creativity, collaboration, and chaos.

00:00 Introduction to the Game Inflators Podcast

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

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. Is Hasbro enriching the game with crossovers—or forcing them down players’ throats? Then the duo unpacks the buzz around a potential Nintendo hack. What’s the story, and how could it impact gamers and developers alike?

Finally, they dive into a retro horror gem with a review of Siren on PS2. Does this stealth-heavy survival title still deliver the scares, or has time dulled its edge?

00:00 Introduction to the Game Deflators Podcast

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

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. 

Articles covered:

https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-reportedly-testing-free-xbox-cloud-gaming-supported-by-ads-with-monthly-play-limits-announcement-and-launch-coming-soon

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/videogame-publisher-eas-55-billion-buyout-turns-spotlight-gaming-ip-2025-10-02/ 

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

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive headfirst into the eerie world of Silent Hill f, sharing their early impressions and how the game’s unsettling progression is shaping up. But the horror doesn’t stop there—Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set is spinning a web of disappointment with weak pre-release numbers and sluggish sales.

The duo also tackles a major retail shake-up: Costco’s decision to pull all Xbox products from shelves and online. Is this a warning sign for Microsoft’s gaming future, or just a strategic pivot?

Then it’s time to unravel the Silent Hill f steelbook fiasco at GameStop. Who dropped the ball, and why are collectors fuming?

Finally, John and Ryan take a nostalgic detour with a full review of Gran Turismo 2 for the PS1—does this classic racer still hold up in 2025?

Articles covered:

https://www.cbr.com/xbox-removed-from-costco-stores-america-tariffs-rising-prices/

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/383911-silent-hill-f/81046285

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

In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive into a whirlwind of gaming topics. 

Starting with their latest Magic: The Gathering pickups and Ray's experience with the Spiderman pre-release. The duo then shares what they’ve been playing lately, with John visiting the gritty fantasy world of The Witcher 1 and Ryan eagerly exploring the atmospheric depths of Hollow Knight: Silksong. 

The conversation heats up as they dissect Nintendo’s lawsuit against Palworld, focusing on the unprecedented use of video game mods as courtroom evidence. What does this mean for modding communities, fan content, and the future of intellectual property enforcement in gaming?

They also tackle Sony’s legal battle with Tencent, analyzing its impact on global gaming markets. With major players clashing, the hosts explore how these lawsuits could reshape the industry.

Wrapping up the episode, the guys delivers a retro review of Prince of Persia 2 for the SNES, evaluating its gameplay, design, and legacy in the 16-bit era. Is this classic platformer still worth playing in 2025? 

Articles covered:

https://gamerant.com/nintendo-palworld-lawsuit-prior-art-defense-mods-response-explained/

https://www.eurogamer.net/tencent-responds-to-sony-lawsuit-against-slavish-horizon-clone-stating-its-claims-of-originality-are-startling

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

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John dives into some current gen PlayStation 2 accessories and his recent play of Prince of Persia Sands of Time. Meanwhile, Ryan’s deep into Silk Song, and he’s got thoughts—lots of them. 

The duo also tackles Nintendo’s latest round of controversial patents, raising eyebrows across the gaming community. From overbroad language to stifling creativity, John and Ryan break down what these moves might mean for the future of the gaming industry. 

Then it’s on to the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, which left both hosts feeling... underwhelmed. Missed opportunities, recycled hype, and a lack of punch—was this the weakest Direct in years?

To wrap things up, the guys revisit Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland for the Game Boy Advance. Is this puffball platformer still a dream to play, or has time dulled its charm?

Articles covered:

https://gamerant.com/nintendo-palworld-lawsuit-character-summoning-battle-new-patent/

https://www.gamesradar.com/news/live/nintendo-direct-september-2025-live-everything-announced/

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

This week, John and Ryan kick things off with some fresh gaming pickups. John dives into his full playthrough of Neva, sharing thoughts on its emotional beats and visual storytelling, and gives a first-timer’s take on Beyblade Episode 1—no nostalgia goggles, just curiosity about the hype.

Ryan’s been hands-on with Hollow Knight: Silksong, and while the gameplay hits hard, the guys unpack the early reviews and why some folks aren’t loving it. Is it fair criticism or just the internet doing its thing?

They also recap their latest Dungeons & Dragons: Strixhaven session, where magical mayhem and academic drama collide. Expect spell-slinging, questionable decisions, and a few surprises from the party.

In the news, the Switch 2 dev kit rollout is raising eyebrows—some developers still haven’t received theirs. John and Ryan speculate on what that means for Nintendo’s next-gen plans.

And to wrap things up, it’s time for a retro review: Streets of Rage on the Sega Genesis. Does the classic brawler still hold up, or is it just pixelated nostalgia?

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  

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

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a whirlwind of gaming goodness. Ryan returns from PAX West 2025 with fresh impressions, indie highlights, and a few surprises from the show floor. Meanwhile, John wraps up his journey through Final Fantasy VI with final thoughts on its legacy and storytelling, then jumps into the lush, emotional world of Neva PS5 for a first look at its gameplay and tone.

The duo also share their latest Magic: The Gathering pickups—expect cardboard envy and collector chatter—and break down the latest De Minimis deals from Video Games Plus (VGP) and PlayAsia, including some niche finds and import oddities.

And for this week’s retro review, it’s time to spin, slide, and smash through Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back on the PlayStation 1. Is it still a platforming gem, or has nostalgia clouded our judgment?

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

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive into their latest pickups—from video games to spicy new Magic: The Gathering cards—and share updates on what’s been dominating their playtime lately. But the real chaos begins with the ripple effect of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date announcement, as developers scramble to dodge the indie titan’s shadow.

The duo also break down Critical Role’s Season 4 decision to stick with Dungeons & Dragons over their own system, Daggerheart. What does this mean for the future of actual play content and tabletop publishing?

And finally, strap in for a high-octane discussion of Twisted Metal on the PS1. Does the vehicular mayhem still hold up, or has nostalgia taken the wheel?

Articles covered:

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/silksong-release-date-has-already-prompted-two-game-delays/1100-6534203/  

https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/critical-role-campaign-4-west-marches   

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

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 attention.

In the news, Nintendo stirs controversy by greenlighting Palland for the eShop, despite its uncanny resemblance to Palworld—a game currently embroiled in legal drama. Is this a bold move or a blunder?

And for this week’s retro review, the duo takes a slippery slide into Super Mario Sunshine for the GameCube. Does this tropical platformer still shine, or is it just a soggy mess?

Articles covered:

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/survival/with-the-palworld-lawsuit-rumbling-on-in-the-background-the-nintendo-switch-welcomes-palland-a-survival-game-that-looks-a-whole-lot-like-pocketpairs-creature-collector/  

https://draftsim.com/spider-man-cbb-prices/  

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