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Balatro

Balatro

PCPlayStationXboxMobileNintendo
Released

Release Date: February 20, 2024

Puzzle, Turn-based, Roguelike, 2D, Card Games, Indie Games, Poker, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

A roguelike card game loosely based on the poker rules. Balatro has us participate in solo card duels, gradually unlocking new card decks and joker cards with unique abilities and effects. The game offers a story campaign, as well as various single challenges.

9.1

OpenCritic

9.8

Steam

4.8

Users

Rate It!
Ratings
[1:27] - Friends of Jimbo (Pack 4) Reveal Trailer Videos: 7
Screenshot Images: 12
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot

Balatro is a card game with roguelike elements, loosely based on the poker rules. The game was developed by the independent studio LocalThunk, and its release was handled by Playstack.

Mechanics

The main attraction of Balatro are card games, during which we play cards and build an increasingly powerful deck, as well as collect tokens and use them to place bets before subsequent duels on the table.

Although the game was based on the rules of poker, the authors tried to introduce a number of their own changes, which significantly influence the course of the game. Allowed poker hands (card arrangements) can be combined with various jokers, each of which has unique properties and abilities. In addition to them, we have been given a variety of decks at our disposal, including standard cards, tarot cards (strengthening the former), planet cards (strengthening poker hands), astral cards, and coupon cards (which provide us with access to permanent upgrades).

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows February 20, 2024

PlayStation 4

PlayStation 4 February 20, 2024

Xbox One

Xbox One February 20, 2024

Android

Android September 26, 2024

Apple iOS

Apple iOS September 26, 2024

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch February 20, 2024

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5 February 20, 2024

Xbox Series X/S

Xbox Series X/S February 20, 2024

Developer: LocalThunk

Publisher: PlayStack

Features

Originals

December 23, 2024

Nintendo’s highlights of 2024

2024 could end up being the last full year of the Nintendo Switch. There’s no telling what the future will hold, but let’s look back on the best games and highlights of this year for Nintendo.

Nintendo’s highlights of 2024
Nintendo’s highlights of 2024
Originals

December 11, 2024

2024 Game Awards predictions: Who will win?

The Game Awards is just around the corner. That’s why we have prepared our predictions: games that might get the most important awards.

2024 Game Awards predictions: Who will win?
2024 Game Awards predictions: Who will win?

News

Gaming's most addictive duo just launched a collaboration. Balatro-themed Vampire Survivors update is out now for free

Gaming's most addictive duo just launched a collaboration. Balatro-themed Vampire Survivors update is out now for free

The next update for Vampire Survivors was revealed to be a collaboration with Balatro, so now you can save time by playing both indie roguelikes at once.

video games

Matt Buckley

October 28, 2025

Gaming's most addictive duo just launched a collaboration. Balatro-themed Vampire Survivors update is out now for free
„Just skip Balatro, go to the Arco page and buy that game twice instead.” Steam sensation creator earns respect for a selfless act

„Just skip Balatro, go to the Arco page and buy that game twice instead.” Steam sensation creator earns respect for a selfless act

The creator of Balatro prefers that players buy the Arco game twice instead of his own title. For these words, LocalThunk received a lot of praise from fans.

video games

Martin Bukowski

March 18, 2025

„Just skip Balatro, go to the Arco page and buy that game twice instead.” Steam sensation creator earns respect for a selfless act
„Tinder for video games” app successfully funded on Kickstarter

„Tinder for video games” app successfully funded on Kickstarter

Ludocene can be described as „Tinder for video games” and is meant to pair you with games according to your interests. The Kickstarter has reached its goal.

video games

Matt Buckley

March 13, 2025

„Tinder for video games” app successfully funded on Kickstarter
Highlights from today's ID@Xbox showcase: indies coming to Game Pass

Highlights from today's ID@Xbox showcase: indies coming to Game Pass

Today's ID@Xbox showcase highlighted over twenty great indie games coming to Xbox Game Pass. Balatro, Lies of P, and Moonlighter 2 are among the featured games.

video games

Matt Buckley

February 24, 2025

Highlights from today's ID@Xbox showcase: indies coming to Game Pass
This Month's ID@Xbox Showcase Is Exactly What Xbox Needs

This Month's ID@Xbox Showcase Is Exactly What Xbox Needs

Xbox has a great lineup of AAA games ready to launch in the coming months, but today's ID@Xbox showcase announcement is the exact supplement Game Pass needs.

originals

Matt Buckley

February 3, 2025

This Month's ID@Xbox Showcase Is Exactly What Xbox Needs
Balatro's Dev Was Confident in Game's Success Only a Day Before Its Release. Now Boasts Amazing Sales

Balatro's Dev Was Confident in Game's Success Only a Day Before Its Release. Now Boasts Amazing Sales

Balatro has already sold more than a million copies. The popular game is heading to new platforms.

video games

Maciej Gaffke

March 19, 2024

Balatro's Dev Was Confident in Game's Success Only a Day Before Its Release. Now Boasts Amazing Sales
Balatro Guide - How to Play Black Deck

Balatro Guide - How to Play Black Deck

Check our guide on How to Play Black Deck in Balatro, featuring insights on selecting the right Jokers and essential strategies to follow.

How to

Olga Racinowska

February 26, 2024

Balatro Guide - How to Play Black Deck
Should you Play Endless Mode in Balatro? Explained

Should you Play Endless Mode in Balatro? Explained

Are you wondering if Endless Mode in Balatro is worth playing? In this guide you will find the answer.

How to

Agnes Adamus

February 23, 2024

Should you Play Endless Mode in Balatro? Explained
How to Unlock Cavendish in Balatro

How to Unlock Cavendish in Balatro

Still trying to get Cavendish? Learn how to obtain this mighty banana Joker in Balatro.

How to

Olga Racinowska

February 23, 2024

How to Unlock Cavendish in Balatro
Balatro - How to Unlock Legendary Jokers and What They Do

Balatro - How to Unlock Legendary Jokers and What They Do

Using Legendary Jokers in Balatro can have a positive effect and help you win a duel. From our guide you will learn how to unlock them and how they work.

How to

Dawid Lubczynski

February 23, 2024

Balatro - How to Unlock Legendary Jokers and What They Do

System Requirements

System Requirements for Balatro Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3, 1 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD or better, 50 MB HDD, Windows 7/8/10/11 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Balatro Video Game.

9.1

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 100% of Critics. There are 57 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

GameSpot: 9 / 10 by Alessandro Barbosa

Balatro's ingenious combination of poker and roguelite gameplay creates an intoxicating combination that's hard to pull away from.

Full Review

God is a Geek: 9.5 / 10 by Lyle Carr

Balatro is a masterfully crafted Roguelike card game, that's easy to learn thanks to its poker mechanics but hard to master.

Full Review

IGN: 9 / 10 by Simon Cardy

A deck-building poker roguelike of endlessly satisfying proportions, Balatro is the sort of fun that threatens to derail whole weekend plans.

Full Review
98%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (176,073)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Addictiveness: Many users describe Balatro as incredibly addictive, with a gameplay loop that keeps them coming back for more. The thrill of watching numbers increase and the excitement of building powerful card combinations are frequently mentioned.
  • Replayability: The game offers a high level of replayability due to its roguelike elements, diverse jokers, and unique deck-building mechanics. Users appreciate the variety in each run and the different strategies they can employ.
  • Simplicity and Accessibility: Players find the game easy to learn, making it accessible to those who may not typically enjoy card games. The straightforward mechanics allow for quick engagement.
  • Creative and Fun Mechanics: The integration of poker hands with roguelike elements and the use of jokers for unique effects are praised for making the game feel fresh and engaging.
  • Community and Modding Support: Some reviews highlight the active modding community that enhances the game experience, providing additional content and features.

The main cons of the game

  • Frustration and RNG: Several users express frustration with the game's reliance on random number generation (RNG), which can lead to feelings of unfairness or being "rigged" at times. This can detract from the enjoyment, especially when players feel they are consistently dealt poor hands.
  • Time Consumption: Many reviews indicate that the game can consume excessive amounts of time, leading to negative impacts on personal responsibilities and social life. Some users humorously warn against its addictive nature.
  • Repetitiveness: While the game is praised for its replayability, some players mention that it can become repetitive after a while, especially once they have achieved certain milestones or unlocked most content.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • More Depth After Completion: Some players feel that once they have mastered the game or completed most challenges, there isn't much left to explore, suggesting a desire for additional content or new challenges to keep them engaged.
  • Balance Between Skill and Luck: A few reviews indicate a wish for better balance in the game mechanics, as the heavy reliance on luck can overshadow skill-based play, making wins feel less rewarding for some players.
  • Audio Issues: One user mentioned technical issues with audio adjustments causing crashes, indicating a need for better stability or user interface improvements.

Summary

  • Overall, Balatro is celebrated for its unique blend of card game mechanics and roguelike elements, making it a highly engaging experience for many players, despite some frustrations with RNG and time consumption.

Summary generated on:

4.8

USERS Score

Average score from votes.

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