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Balatro
Released On: Feb 20, 2024
8.4
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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 32 Critic Reviews
90
100% Positive
32 Reviews
32 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 32 Critic Reviews
90
100% Positive
32 Reviews
32 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Dec 12, 2024
The result is a surprisingly layered and extremely addictive game, with pixelated retro graphics. Cleverly designed too, as all the bleeps and effects constantly provide little shots of dopamine, much like a jackpot, slot machine or coin toss from the luna park. The addition of jokers and bonus cards made available seemingly at random make each game different, and replayability almost endless.
Feb 28, 2024
Balatro is as good as Slay the Spire was. It's a roguelike deckbuilder, but beginning from a poker deck. The concept is both original and fun. Its modifier cards offer almost unlimited possibilities, making each run unique in its own way. Balatro gives you hours and hours of entertaining and we can just wait for new content in the future. One of the best games of the year so far.
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 1,589 User Ratings
8.4
84% Positive
1337 Ratings
1337 Ratings
11% Mixed
167 Ratings
167 Ratings
5% Negative
85 Ratings
85 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 1,589 User Ratings
8.4
84% Positive
1337 Ratings
1337 Ratings
11% Mixed
167 Ratings
167 Ratings
5% Negative
85 Ratings
85 Ratings
Apr 5, 2024
A unique and damn addictive card-based roguelite that borrows basic rules from poker, only to effortlessly turn them on their head using jokers, tarot cards, and celestial bodies. Countless possibilities, synergies, and combinations ensure hours of fun that you won't want to tear yourself away from.
Mar 5, 2024
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?).
Feb 26, 2024
Balatro is a brilliant take on the rogue lite genre. Video poker fans will be grinning ear to ear playing this truly terrific card game that is hard to put down.
Feb 19, 2024
The wonderful and terrible thing about Balatro is that, unlike with other roguelikes, I never got frustrated getting bounced back to the start. I almost always felt like I’d had the slate wiped clean of the web of synergistic collectables governing my ill-fated moves and this time, I was sure to succeed. Especially as my efforts in the game unlocked new perks or decks I could use when jumping back in. The combination of simple drag-and-drop controls and a continuous flow of numbers-go-up dopamine hits is irresistible. You’ve been warned.
Feb 21, 2024
It's easy to get a kick out of seeing how high the scores can get, but the game is as much about the gambles you take and the planning along the way. There's a deceptive simplicity to Balatro due to its roots in poker, and it uses that to its advantage to reel you in while regularly finding new ways to surprise you.
Nov 2, 2025
I can't describe why, but this is one of the best games I've ever played. Seriously. There is no way I can describe why Balatro is such an amazing game. You just have to experience it yourself. Balatro is in my top 10 favorite games ever. (By the way, my all time highscore is 1.391e47. So beat that!)
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PC May 11, 2025
No mind games, no bluffing, no tension like real poker. It just makes me doze off.
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PC Summary The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox One
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Initial Release Date: Feb 20, 2024
Developer:
- LocalThunk
Publisher: Playstack
Genres:
