By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - For a game about Jokers, its ability to create addiction is no joke!
It is likely a sign of a great game—or maybe it is a sign of me becoming a very undisciplined writer—that every time I try to play that game in order to be able to write about it fresh in my head, I spend far more time playing and far less time writing. This is my struggle with Balatro, a game that many people have recommended to me and that I bought two weeks after April Fools Day 2025. I had at least three different groups of people I regularly interfaced that had significant and regular dedicated discussions about Balatro before and after my purchase, so you could say you peer pressured me into this. But now, over the course of this review... I will recommend Balatro to you.
I'll present my information in a slightly different order than how I usually present my reviews. Gameplay-first, since my criticisms on non-gameplay matters will make more sense once I explain how the gameplay works. As a disclaimer... I've never played a roguelite deckbuilder before, and my roguelite experience is as narrow as the Side Order DLC from Splatoon 3, as well as the PokéRogue fan game.
Balatro Fast Facts
- Name
- Balatro
- Consoles
- Nintendo Switch (2)—note, this review is specifically of the Switch version (no modifications) on what Balatro internally calls version 1.0.1o-FULL (the Switch calls it Version 1.1.3)
- Steam
- PlayStation 4/5
- Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Developer and Publisher
- LocalThunk and Playstack Limited
- Genre
- Roguelite deckbuilder
- Space Required
- On the Switch, ~200 MB between game data and save data
- ESRB rating
- E10+ for Gambling Themes [no actual money is gambled or wagered]
- Number of Players
- One
- Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
- 14.99
- Demo?
- None
