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22 minutes ago
22 minutes ago
In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan unpack an action-packed week in gaming with a lineup that spans kart racing chaos, collectible card surprises, corporate culture wins, and a splash of retro nostalgia.
They kick things off with the wild new Sonic Racing CrossWorlds where iconic franchises like Minecraft, TMNT, and Avatar: The Last Airbender collide on the track. The conversation then shifts to cardboard as Sonic speeds into Magic: The Gathering with an upcoming Secret Lair set—John and Ryan speculate provide their opinion on the quality of cards revealed and their interest in the video game franchise cards. They then take a thoughtful detour into the real-world side of gaming, discussing recent data that shows Nintendo’s impressively low employee turnover rate and what that says about its workplace culture in contrast to wider industry trends.
Rounding out the episode is a retro review of Wave Race: Blue Storm for the Nintendo GameCube, as the duo discusses the game’s intense physics, water mechanics, and enduring difficulty curve.
Articles covered:
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/secret-lair-the-sonic-superdrop
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-officially-reveals-nickelodeon-collaboration
https://thenerdstash.com/while-layoffs-keep-hitting-the-industry-nintendo-retains-98-of-staff-including-78-with-disabilities/
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Strap in for a nostalgia-meets-news deep dive on this week’s episode of The Game Deflators! John and Ryan kick things off with a fresh batch of gaming pickups. Then it's time to roll initiative as the duo shares behind-the-screen updates from their latest Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
In the tabletop world beyond their own, the guys examine big moves from the Critical Role team as they bolster their crew for the launch of Daggerheart—is this the next big leap in TTRPGs? And speaking of epic crossovers, John and Ryan discuss recent pulls of the Golden Chocobo serialized cards from Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy set and what it means for collectors and competitive players alike.
Finally, the wave machines are primed for a retro review of Wave Race 64—does this water racer still make a splash, or has time drained its shine?
Articles covered:http://thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-dnd-critical-role-daggerheart-jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins/
https://kotaku.com/golden-chocobo-mtg-final-fantasy-price-foil-restock-1851784836
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
John and Ryan are back on the mics with sand in their shoes and cardboard in their backpacks, kicking things off with a roundup of their latest video game and Magic: The Gathering pickups—some gems and some regrets.
Then it's onto showcase season, where the duo dives into their most anticipated titles from the latest Xbox Showcase and Sony's State of Play.
But not everything is sunny in hardware land. The guys break down the rumored cancellation of the Xbox handheld, chatting about what it could mean for Microsoft's third-party strategy and whether a hardware pivot is smart—or just sad.
Next up, Nintendo’s out of the gates with early Switch 2 sales figures, and John and Ryan weigh in on whether lightning’s struck twice for the Big N.
To round it all out, the guys fire up their NES and hit the pixelated waves with a retro review of Town & Country Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage. Is it gnarly or just a wipeout?
Articles covered:https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pcs/xbox-handheld-rumoured-to-be-essentially-cancelled-but-the-new-asus-xbox-ally-is-actually-a-preview-of-all-future-xbox-consoles-not-just-handhelds/
https://wccftech.com/nintendo-switch-2-set-another-record-by-selling-1-1-million-units-in-its-launch-week-in-the-us/
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, Ryan is joined by Jim Miller, the mastermind behind Crit Hit—Arizona’s premier tabletop convention! They kick things off by discussing their latest gaming pickups and what’s been keeping them glued to the table.
Jim then shares exciting updates on Crit Hit 7: Cosmic Calamity, revealing what attendees can expect at this year's event—from epic game sessions to stellar surprises. But that’s not all—he also dives into the latest news on his gaming app, Congeon, offering insights into the creative thought process behind its development and the projects he's currently working on.
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
This week, John and Ryan welcome Sean and Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead for a gaming-packed discussion! The crew kicks things off by sharing their latest gaming pickups and what they've been diving into lately.
Then, the big debate: Will the Nintendo Switch 2 capture the same magic as its predecessor, or will casual gamers skip this one? The podcasters weigh in on the potential hurdles for Nintendo’s next-gen hybrid.
Next, a former Sony executive has stirred controversy with comments on Xbox Game Pass—could the subscription model be hurting the industry more than helping? The team tackles the discussion from all sides.
Finally, they take a deep dive into the bizarre and oddly compelling Mr. Mosquito for the PS2. Is this cult classic worth revisiting, or should it stay in the past?
Articles covered:https://www.theverge.com/games/677301/the-switch-2s-promising-start-hides-an-uncertain-future
https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/playstation/former-playstation-boss-says-subscription-services-like-xbox-game-pass-could-become-dangerous-for-devs-and-that-sony-delivers-a-healthier-model-with-ps-plus/
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dig into their latest video game pickups and some of the latest gaming news.
They kick off the news week with Pokémon TCG Pocket and its $1 billion milestone—can it maintain its momentum, or is the digital TCG market headed for a shake-up? The conversation then turns to Xbox’s future, with a big question looming—could the next generation of Xbox consoles be Microsoft’s last? The duo examines industry trends, and the shifting landscape of hardware.
Finally, they review Cubivore for the Nintendo GameCube, breaking down its quirky evolution mechanics, survival gameplay, and whether it deserves the $500 price point.
Articles covered:https://www.pocketgamer.biz/pokmon-tcg-pocket-surpasses-1bn-in-just-over-200-days/
https://www.thegamer.com/xbox-gaming-insider-thinks-next-console-release-may-be-its-last-writing-on-the-wall-third-party-publisher/
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
Join the Game Deflators podcast as John and Ryan kick things off by sharing their latest gaming pickups and video games they are currently playing; including Shadow the Tomb Raider and Risk of Rain 2. The conversation takes a turn as they break down the recent controversy surrounding Bungie allegedly using an artist's work without permission—what does this mean for corporate accountability in game development?
Next, the duo digs into the ongoing efforts by a modders to reverse Nintendo-influenced changes to Palworld. With the gaming industry constantly shifting, how far can modders push back before publishers crack down?
Wrapping up the episode, they shine a spotlight on Go Go Hypergrind, the quirky and elusive GameCube skateboarding game developed with input from a legendary animation studio. Does this cult classic still hold up, or is it destined to remain a deep-cut oddity?
Articles covered:https://www.ign.com/articles/palworld-modders-are-restoring-mechanics-pocketpair-was-forced-to-patch-out-due-to-nintendo-and-the-pokmon-companys-patent-lawsuit
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/artist-accuses-bungie-of-stealing-her-designs-for-marathons-art-i-am-tired-of-designers-from-huge-companies-moodboarding-and-parasitising-my-designs-while-i-struggle-to-make-a-living/
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday May 11, 2025
Sunday May 11, 2025
John and Ryan are back with a Game Deflators Podcast episode breaking down the latest gaming and tech shake-ups. First up, they tackle Nintendo’s pricing strategy for the Switch 2—could tariffs and rising production costs lead to a price hike in the future?
Next, they explore Apple’s latest courtroom maneuver in its ongoing Epic Games legal battle, as the tech giant seeks to pause a ruling that could reshape the App Store landscape. How will this impact developers, mobile gaming, and Apple's grip on its ecosystem?
Finally, the duo dives into a review of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, the cult classic GameCube RPG that dared to shake up the franchise with Shadow Pokémon, dark twists, and a compelling villain. Is it a hidden gem or just a nostalgic throwback?
Articles covered:https://gamerant.com/nintendo-switch-2-us-price-increase-possibile/
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/apple-asks-us-appeals-court-pause-ruling-epic-games-case-2025-05-08/
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday May 04, 2025
Sunday May 04, 2025
On this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan are joined by Killian Davies of AZ Stolas to discuss his latest one-shot adventure, Loo Loo Lunacy, and his upcoming Kickstarter projects. Inspired by the popular web series Helluva Boss, Loo Loo Lunacy takes players into the chaotic depths of Loo Loo Land, a devilish amusement park filled with danger, intrigue, and dark humor.
Killian shares insights into the publishing process and hurdles he overcame. Hi also goes in depth on the adventure’s design, including its unique race options—each with distinct subraces. With physical handouts like detailed maps and scavenger hunts, Loo Loo Lunacy offers an immersive tabletop experience unlike any other.
Beyond the adventure, the guys explore the intricacies of D&D worldbuilding—discussing how to craft immersive settings, build dynamic narratives, and keep players engaged in unforgettable campaigns.
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Join John and Ryan on this week's episode of The Game Deflators Podcast as they dive into the intriguing world of Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Hear their thoughts on the The Last of Us Season 2, and explore the record-breaking success of the Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set, now the best-selling in history. Plus, don't miss their in-depth review of Chibi Robo for the GameCube, a hidden gem that deserves a closer look.
Want more Game Deflators content? Find us at 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