Sometimes, a game comes along that you never expect to dominate your life, and for me, that game is Balatro. This isn’t a review; it’s a love letter to one of the best games in recent years — no joke.
I first discovered Balatro on PC after hearing the buzz online — if anything, I was late to the Balatro-train. Then before I knew it, I found myself sitting at my computer most nights, clicking away at cards, watching my score climb… It was simple yet utterly captivating.
Come September 2024, Balatro launched on Apple Arcade — that’s when everything escalated… My addiction levelled up. The haptic feedback on my phone paired with the wild antics of the game transformed the experience. Even with the sound off, every play feels impactful. Hell, even booting up the game and seeing the title screen is a joy.
I’m so addicted that I’ve set my iPhone’s Action Button to launch the game instantly. My phone usage has skyrocketed, which, as a man in his 30s, feels a bit ridiculous. But I can’t stop. At minimum, I’m clocking an hour of Balatro every day. It’s more than just a card game.
What makes it even more incredible is that Balatro was created by just one person, known only as LocalThunk. The game has sold millions of copies and earned a 98% positive rating on Steam. To put that into perspective, it’s up there with legendary titles like Portal, Terraria, and Stardew Valley.
At the 2024 Game Awards, Balatro swept the competition, winning three major awards, including Best Indie Game. The things this single person has achieved is on another level — their bank account must be overflowing!
You can pick it up, play a hand or two, and then close the game. When you return, it picks up exactly where you left off. The more you play, the more jokers you unlock, and the crazier your runs become.
I’ve yet to reach the absurd scores some players post online — we’re talking numbers with hundreds of zeros at the end — but seeing them lose a hand because the score wasn’t high enough? Mind-blowing. I can’t even imagine how LocalThunk’s coding makes it all work.
The game’s “Friends of Jimbo” expansions have brought themed cards from franchises such as The Witcher, Dave the Diver, Among Us, and Cyberpunk 2077. While these cards don’t alter gameplay, they add a nice touch. On top of that, Balatro has spawned real-world merchandise: plushies, themed card decks, and more (I need to get my hands on some of this).
But don’t be fooled by its charm — Balatro is punishing. Shonky hands, chance tarot cards that fail to hit, losing out by single digits in the final round of a game… When you lose, Jimbo — the game’s joker and mascot — doesn’t hold back. Insults like “Maybe Go Fish is more your speed?” are both brutal and motivating. They push me to start fresh, aiming for an even better run.
Even after clearing the eighth ante, I can’t resist pushing onward in endless mode, combining jokers and enhanced cards to see how far I can go. And then there’s that feeling of opening a pack of cards… Much like the feeling of my other phone addiction, Pokemon TCG Pocket.
I don’t have anything negative to say about this game other than I’d like some of my life back please.
Even if you’re not into poker, Balatro offers something unique. Once you learn the combinations and start experimenting, it’s a sure bet this game will take over your life too.
It’s available for about $20 on Steam or as part of Apple Arcade. Just play it. Trust me.
