diff --git a/src/components/flash.astro b/src/components/flash.astro
index 80574d1..1ccd4e6 100644
--- a/src/components/flash.astro
+++ b/src/components/flash.astro
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ const { gamePath } = Astro.props;
   }
 </style>
 
-<script src="/ruffle/ruffle.js" is:inline></script>
+<script src="/ruffle/ruffle.js" defer is:inline onerror="window.__ruffleFailed=true"></script>
 <script is:inline>
   (function () {
     var wrap = document.getElementById("flash-player-wrap");
@@ -107,12 +107,17 @@ const { gamePath } = Astro.props;
       });
     }
 
-    // ── Ruffle readiness (polling fallback) ──
-    var maxAttempts = 50;
+    // ── Ruffle readiness (polling fallback, covers deferred ruffle.js) ──
+    var maxAttempts = 75;
     var attempts = 0;
 
     function ready() {
       if (destroyed) return;
+      // ponytail: fail fast on script 404/offline, keep polling for slow networks
+      if (window.__ruffleFailed) {
+        showError("Failed to load Flash player. Please refresh the page.");
+        return;
+      }
       try {
         var ruffle =
           typeof window.RufflePlayer !== "undefined" &&
diff --git a/src/components/gametile.astro b/src/components/gametile.astro
index ab57d2f..a9310bc 100644
--- a/src/components/gametile.astro
+++ b/src/components/gametile.astro
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const altText = `${Game} unblocked - play online free`;
     height="200"
     loading="lazy"
     decoding="async"
-    class="aspect-[3/2] h-auto w-full max-w-[300px] rounded-xl transition-transform duration-300 hover:scale-105 hover:shadow-lg active:scale-95"
+    class="aspect-[3/2] h-auto w-full max-w-[300px] rounded-xl transition-transform duration-300 hover:scale-105 active:scale-95"
   />
   <p class="text-gray-800 dark:text-neutral-200 transition-colors hover:text-black dark:hover:text-white">{Game}</p>
 </a>
diff --git a/src/pages/index.astro b/src/pages/index.astro
index 6f407a7..6bc9577 100644
--- a/src/pages/index.astro
+++ b/src/pages/index.astro
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ const popularGames = defaultGames.slice(0, POPULAR_COUNT);
           img.loading = "lazy";
           img.decoding = "async";
           img.className =
-            "aspect-[3/2] h-auto w-full max-w-[300px] rounded-xl transition-transform duration-300 hover:scale-105 hover:shadow-lg active:scale-95";
+            "aspect-[3/2] h-auto w-full max-w-[300px] rounded-xl transition-transform duration-300 hover:scale-105 active:scale-95";
           var p = document.createElement("p");
           p.className = "text-gray-800 dark:text-neutral-200 transition-colors hover:text-black dark:hover:text-white";
           p.textContent = g.t;