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
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.