Game Rant

Niko Balkaran-News Writer

Niko Balkaran

News Writer

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About Niko Balkaran

Niko Balkaran is a freelance multimedia journalist based in New York City. He was the editor-in-chief of York College CUNY’s school newspaper, Pandora’s Box, where he oversaw the newspaper’s editorial and fiscal responsibilities. He won the Janice Cline Justice Award 2023, which was given for demonstrating a commitment to using his work for social justice and equality.

Niko has experience writing and producing audio and video broadcast pieces that were reported on air. He writes long and short-form features, reviews, and news. He has always been interested in covering video games and the entertainment industry, having been inspired by Superman and Lois Lane to join the ranks.

Niko is an avid Destiny 2 player, having over 1900 hours. He is drawn to this franchise because he loves Bungie’s worldbuilding and storytelling. He has yet to find another FPS game where shooting guns feels so good. His other video game franchise of choice is Pokemon. Some of his fondest memories include spending hours training his Pokemon to take on Winona in Pokemon Emerald and hunting for Suicune in Pokemon Crystal.

Favorite Games

Destiny 2, Diablo 4, Persona 5, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Pokemon Crystal, and Bloodborne

Favorite Console

PS5

Proudest Gaming Achievement

Defeating Whitney's Miltank in Pokemon Crystal.

Latest Articles

Tears of the Kingdom Link and Bokos 1
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Player Builds Strange Weapon With Very High DPS

A creative The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom player creates one of the strongest weapons in the game that can one-shot enemies.

Infinite Wealth Ichiban with a katana 1
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Adding Roguelike Feature

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios teases Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth players with a new challenge in the form of a brand new roguelike dungeon.

Dark Souls 2 Undead in Majula 1
Dark Souls 2 Is Shutting Down Some of Its Servers

Dark Souls 2 fans on some platforms have just three months to continue adventuring together before the online servers shut down.

The Lords of the Fallen Upper City 1
Lords of the Fallen Gets Brand-New Update

A new update from Hexworks brings a number of fixes to Lords of the Fallen, which aims to improve performance across the game as well as co-op.

Xbox and Playstation Controllers Outline 1
Custom Xbox and PS5 Controllers Revealed by an Unlikely Company

Gamers who love a good cup of tea can now get custom PlayStation and Xbox controllers in time for Christmas, thanks to a surprising collaboration.

Tears of the Kingdom Korok 1
Tears of the Kingdom Players Can Reunite Koroks in Real Life

Nintendo and Sanei Boeki are teaming up to release a pair of adorable Korok plushies from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Pokemon Eevee 1
Pokemon Fan Paints Impressive Eevee Cards

An artistic fan redesigns a pair of Pokemon trading cards featuring the Generation 1 Normal-type Eevee into adorable paintings.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate Jacob 1
Ubisoft Giving Away Underrated Assassin's Creed Game for Free

For a limited time, Ubisoft is giving away free digital copies of one of the most underrated Assassin’s Creed titles in the franchise’s history.

Destiny 2 Mara Sov and Spirit of Riven 1
Destiny 2 Player Showcases Impressive Collection of Seals

A Destiny 2 player showcases their impressive collection of seals, some of which are now retired and impossible to earn in the game.

Attack on Titan Main Cast and Armored Titan 1
Attack on Titan Fan Game Has Online Multiplayer Support

Fans of the Attack on Titan franchise can now defeat titans with their friends in a free fan game with online multiplayer support.

Elden Ring Bosses 1
Funny Elden Ring Boss Fight Proves Land Octopuses Make Better Friends Than Foes

In a fierce battle between a Tarnished and Great Wyrm Theodorix, a Giant Land Octopus helps an Elden Ring player land the final blow against the boss.

Tears of the Kingdom logo and Vah Naboris 1
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Player Builds Divine Beast Vah Naboris

One talented fan returns the Gerudo Desert Divine Beast, Vah Naboris, to the world of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Tears of the Kingdom Link 1
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Player Builds Clever Vehicle That Requires No Power

A crafty The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom player showcases a Zonai vehicle that allows them to traverse Hyrule without any Energy Cells.

Spider-Man 2 with MJ and Venom 1
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Player Points Out Plot Hole in Important Scene

Fans of Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 discuss a detail during an important scene in the game and wonder if it could be a potential plot hole.

Fallout 4 Character and Destiny 2 Last City 1
Fallout 4 Fan Turns Their Destiny 2 Character Into Preston Garvey To Help More Settlements

A gamer turns their Warlock from Destiny 2 into Preston Garvey, a companion and member of the Commonwealth Minutemen from Bethesda’s Fallout 4.

Tears of the Kingdom Logo and Godzilla 1
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Video Shows Godzilla Rampaging Across Hyrule

Lurelin Village takes on a Zonai Godzilla in a short Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom fan video complete with music and sound effects.

Arcanine Pokemon Theme Song 1
Pokemon Fan Creates Impressive Woodcarving of Arcanine

Using several different species of wood, a talented Pokemon fan creates a carving of the Generation I Fire-type canine Arcanine.

Ocarina of Time and Studio Ghibli 1
Talented Fan Creates Ocarina of Time Film with Studio Ghibli Visuals

A talented fan creates a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time film with visuals inspired by Studio Ghibli for the game’s 25th anniversary.

Pokemon Ivysaur Charmeleon Wartortle 1
Pokemon Fan Creates Paradox Forms for Ivysaur, Charmeleon, Wartortle, and More

An artistic Pokemon Scarlet and Violet fan shares designs of what Ivysaur, Charmeleon, Wartortle, and several others would like as Paradox Pokemon.

Destiny 2 Guardians and Allies 1
Destiny 2 to Balance Ability Energy in Season 23

Bungie is changing how ability energy is refunded to create a more balanced experience for Destiny 2 players in Season of the Wish and beyond.

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