Summary
The poker-inspired roguelike deck-building gameBalatrohas reportedly been played for over 11,000 years across all platforms. Released in February 2024 to instant acclaim,Balatroquickly became popular among the masses for its satisfying gameplay loop and peaceful synth-heavy soundtrack, with many players calling the title one of the most addictive games to appear in recent memory.
Developed by the solo developer LocalThunk, the indie game earned overwhelmingly positive reviews immediately after appearing on PC and console earlier this year,withBalatrobecoming one of the top-rated releases of 2024. The title’s fast-paced gameplay tasks players with creating Poker hands to reach a particular point goal, but to keep things endlessly interesting, over 150 unique Jokers can be discovered to throw some special abilities into the mix. For example, some Jokers will multiply a player’s score at the end of the round, while others will give monetary bonuses that can be used to purchase more powerful cards.
In a new Twitter post, the game’s developer announced thatBalatrohas been played cumulatively for over 11,000 years across all platforms. Fans were quick to post congratulatory messages, though the news came as little shock to most, with leagues of players noting that the title has likely boosted a lack of productivity around the world due toBalatro’s endless replayability. The game’s ease of entry has likely been a major factor in its continued success, along with its availability on all major platforms and low cost.
Fans Have Spent Over 11,000 Years Playing Balatro
Several post-launch updates have been released in the months following the title’s release, with aMayBalatroupdateadding the Perishable and Rental Joker mechanics. The former made players consider altering their typical strategy by forcing Jokers to be removed after a total of five rounds, while the latter changed the price of Jokers to $1 at the start of the game and increased the price by $3 after each round. LocalThunk has also continued to address bugs and performance issues, along with continued efforts to make the game as accessible as possible.
During the Nintendo Indie World Showcase held in August 2024,Balatroannounced a crossover withThe Witcher 3. As part of the currently available free “Friends of Jimbo” update, players can customize the face cards in their deck to feature popularWitchercharacters like Dandelion, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Geralt of Rivia. Other games featured in the cosmetic crossover content includeAmong Us,Vampire Survivors, andDave the Diver. According to LocalThunk, more crossovers may be added to the game in future updates.
Last month,a major free update forBalatrowas announced, promising new strategies and ideas coming to the title sometime in 2025. It’s believed that this update will considerably alterBalatro’s gameplay, and while no specifics have been revealed, fans are eager to learn more ahead of the new year. The game shows no signs of slowing down, and given its consistent updates and passionate fanbase, the next milestone forBalatrois sure to be another doozy.
Balatro
WHERE TO PLAY
Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big.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.Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds. Earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks as you progress. You’re going to need every edge you can get in order to reach the boss blind, beat the final ante and secure victory
