<img src="https://b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&amp;c2=6035191&amp;cv=2.0&amp;cj=1" width="1" height="1" style="width:0px;height:0px;">
Advanced Game Search
Balatro

Balatro

Nintendo
Released

Release Date: February 20, 2024

Singleplayer

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

s

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).

Read More

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

„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

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

Today's ID@Xbox showcase highlighted over twenty great indie games coming to Xbox Game . 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
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 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
Balatro - Blank Voucher Does Nothing, But You Should Still Buy It

Balatro - Blank Voucher Does Nothing, But You Should Still Buy It

Are you wondering what Blank Voucher in Balatro is used for? In this guide you will find the answer.

How to

Agnes Adamus

February 21, 2024

Balatro - Blank Voucher Does Nothing, But You Should Still Buy It

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

Screen Rant: 5 / 5 by Leo Faierman

With its unlockable deck types, tricky economy, advanced joker concepts, challenge runs, and ascension-like “stake” system, Balatro offers countless hours to engage its treacherous machine of diversion. If this was preinstalled with Windows in lieu of Microsoft’s mandatory, productivity-wrecking Solitaire back in the 90s, modern civilization as we know it could have very well ground to a halt. For fans of deckbuilders, Balatro is an addictively delicious, menacing creation which devours hours without mercy. It should be handled with great care.

Full Review

Shacknews: 9 / 10 by TJ Denzer

I never would have expected that a roguelike could work so well in a card game before I played Balatro. It’s simple and guides you in so well, but escalates quickly and is happy to crush your run at any moment with the smallest strokes of misfortune. That’s what makes the variety of jokers and bonus cards so fun to explore. Every new option provides an opportunity to buck the house advantage. It leads to an appealing gameplay loop that kept me wanting to try all sorts of new angles and strategies. Balatro is something far out of the ordinary, and heaven forbid it ever makes its way to mobile because my casual time will powerless against it (please?).

Full Review

VGC: 5 / 5 by Jordan Middler

Balatro is an astonishingly addictive take on Poker that's utterly impossible to put down. Occasional difficulty spikes aside; it's a piece of simplistic genius that we'll keep on our Steam Deck forever.

Full Review
98%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (123,411)

STEAM
Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many s find the game incredibly engaging, often leading to extended play sessions where they lose track of time. The core gameplay loop of building decks and strategizing against various challenges is highly praised.
  • Well-Designed Mechanics: The game's mechanics allow for a variety of strategies, making each run feel unique and rewarding. Players appreciate the depth and complexity that emerges from seemingly simple mechanics.
  • Visual and Audio Appeal: The art style is described as charming and colorful, with satisfying sound effects that enhance the overall experience. Many players find the visuals and audio to be a significant part of the game's enjoyment.
  • Replayability: The game offers a high level of replayability due to the numerous jokers, decks, and challenges available, ensuring that players can continually find new experiences.
  • Accessibility: Players note that prior knowledge of poker is not necessary to enjoy the game, making it accessible to a wider audience.

The main cons of the game

  • RNG Dependence: A significant number of reviews mention the game's reliance on random number generation (RNG), which can lead to frustrating experiences when luck does not favor the player. This can make some runs feel unfair or impossible.
  • Lack of Progression: Some s express disappointment that there is no meaningful progression between runs, as each session resets the player's deck. This can lead to feelings of repetitiveness.
  • Repetitive Music: While the soundtrack is generally well-received, several players note that it can become repetitive over time, detracting from the overall experience.

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

  • Depth in Storytelling: Many reviews point out the absence of a compelling narrative or story, which some players feel would enhance the overall experience.
  • More Strategic Options: Some s express a desire for more strategic depth and options to counter difficult bosses or unfavorable situations, indicating that the game could benefit from additional mechanics or features.
  • Cross-Platform Save: A few players suggest the inclusion of cross-save functionality to allow for seamless gameplay across different devices.

Summary

  • Overall, Balatro is celebrated for its addictive gameplay and engaging mechanics, but it faces criticism for its reliance on RNG and lack of progression, with some players wishing for a deeper narrative and more strategic options.

Summary generated on:

4.8

S Score

Average score from votes.

Rate It!