Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.- MacBook Air M5 review: Same but fasterThe latest MacBook Air, powered by the M5 chip, offers a performance upgrade over previous models without significant design changes. While the price has increased to $1,099, it remains a top choice for most users due to its strong performance, excellent build quality, and impressive battery life, even handling demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077.
Palworld devs would be "happy to hand the IP over" to the right studio for a spin-off, unless it was a Balatro or Clair Obscur-like: "As long as it's something that the players want"Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, is open to the idea of spin-off games based on the IP, provided they align with player desires and the game's nonsensical world. Publishing director John Buckley stated that while they don't aim to become a large media empire, they are happy to see "fun little Palworld stuff" emerge, excluding genres like Balatro or Clair Obscur.
In an amazing live mash-up, composer Austin Wintory turned Ben Starr's Clair Obscur monologue into a Balatro gagDuring his annual Game Developer's Conference concert, composer Austin Wintory performed a live mash-up, humorously blending a serious monologue from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with the music of the poker deckbuilder Balatro. Actors Ben Starr and Jennifer English participated in the bit, which also featured musical pairings with The Last of Us and Super Mario Bros.
After beating Slay the Spire 2 with an 8 year old deck, I'm starting to feel like this is more of a remake than a…Slay the Spire 2's Early Access release feels more like a remake than a true sequel, heavily relying on familiar characters, cards, and strategies from the original game. While the core deckbuilding gameplay remains strong and enjoyable, the sequel has not significantly evolved with the genre, unlike other recent titles. The new co-op mode is currently barebones and does not add substantial innovation.- This four-year-old game still hooks me every time I pick it up, and it’s somehow better than I rememberThe author discusses their continued enjoyment of Dave the Diver, a four-year-old game that remains engaging through its unique art style and satisfying gameplay loop. They highlight personal challenges and the game's regular updates, including a notable collaboration with Balatro, as reasons for its enduring appeal.
- iPad Air M4 review: Still Apple's best overall tablet, with a few caveatsThe iPad Air M4 offers a significant performance upgrade over previous models, particularly in GPU capabilities, making it suitable for demanding tasks like gaming and AI applications. While it maintains the familiar design and a high-quality LCD display, it lacks advanced features like a higher refresh rate or mini-LED technology found in more expensive iPad Pro models. Despite these caveats, the iPad Air M4 remains a strong contender for the best overall tablet for most users due to its performance and accessory support.
The makers of idle farming sensation Rusty's Retirement have announced a new game, and this one's taking over…Mister Morris Games, known for Rusty's Retirement, has announced its new game, Pegs X Stickers. This pachinko-roguelike combines elements of Balatro and Peggle, featuring custom peg layouts, score multipliers, and unique mascot interactions. The game is targeted for release in August and will include over 50 types of pegs and 100 stickers.
Slay The Spire 2 Just Smashed This Huge Player Count RecordSlay the Spire 2 has achieved a massive player count in Steam Early Access, reaching a peak of 282,314 concurrent players on its first day. This record-breaking launch surpasses other popular roguelike deckbuilders and positions it as a top performer on Steam, even outperforming several AAA releases. The game features a new four-player co-op mode and is expected to remain in early access for one to two years.
This dice-rolling roguelite is like Balatro on steroids, and its bosses are pure evilDice A Million is a dice-rolling roguelite that draws comparisons to Balatro but features challenging bosses and escalating gameplay. The game, developed by 2 Left Thumbs, launched on Steam last week and is currently on sale. Despite its brutal difficulty and economy, the game offers a fun experience of amassing a large arsenal of magical dice.
All Announcements from Indie World + Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase - August 27, 2024 - NintendoFuseNintendo held two showcases on August 27, 2024, revealing numerous upcoming titles for the Indie World and Partner Showcase. Games announced include Balatro, Neva, Sea of Stars DLC, PowerWash Simulator DLC, Metal Slug Tactics, The Plucky Squire, Tetris Forever, Goat Simulator 3, Star Wars: Hunters Season 3, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Trilogy, Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, and LEGO Horizon Adventures, among many others, with release dates spanning from August 2024 through 2025.
Nominees Announced for The Game Awards 2024 - NintendoFuseThe nominees for The Game Awards 2024 have been announced, featuring a strong presence from publishers like PlayStation, Square Enix, and Xbox. Nintendo has six nominated games, while the awards ceremony is scheduled for December 12, with public voting open until December 11. Winners will be decided by a jury vote and public fan vote.
Here's the most played Steam Deck games for February 2026Valve's public data reveals the most played games on Steam Deck for February 2026, with new releases like Mewgenics and Diablo II: Resurrected – Infernal Edition appearing on the list. Other popular titles include Stardew Valley, Fallout 4, and Baldur's Gate 3. The article also mentions personal playtime with Cairn and the latest Overwatch update.
Dice A Million Review | TheXboxHubDice A Million is a dice-based roguelike that draws heavy inspiration from the popular game Balatro. While it builds upon Balatro's mechanics with its own unique dice effects and 'Rings' system, the core dice-rolling gameplay can feel less strategic initially. Despite some balance issues and a steep difficulty curve, the game offers deep customization and satisfyingly chaotic combos, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (28th February)This weekend discussion features Nintendo Life staff sharing their gaming plans, including Resident Evil Requiem, Star Trek: Voyager - Across The Unknown, and various arcade titles. The team also reflects on recent reviews for games like Resident Evil Village Gold Edition and The Disney Afternoon Collection, alongside news about Balatro and Pokémon Day Presents.
Gambonanza is the best Balatro-like version of chess yet and you have to try the demoGambonanza is a unique demo that blends chess and roguelike elements, drawing comparisons to Balatro. It features simplified chess mechanics on a small board, with players aiming to capture all enemy pieces within a turn limit. The game offers strategic depth through various upgrades, Gambits, and a dynamic reserve system, all presented with a retro pixel art aesthetic.
Balatro creator reflects on university and bad grades, promising he's "still working" on that 1.1 updateBalatro developer LocalThunk has provided an update on the upcoming 1.1 patch, confirming he is still working on it. He also reflected on his past, including dropping out of an engineering degree to pursue computer science and his early, unreleased game development projects, which shaped his hobbyist approach to game creation.
Battlefield 6 sets out to rally flagging player numbers with a big dose of hallucinatory gasBattlefield 6's Season 2 update introduces a new map called Contaminated, new modes for its battle royale component, and a limited-time mode called VL-7 Strike where players must wear gas masks to avoid hallucinatory gas clouds. The update aims to revitalize player numbers for the EA shooter, which have declined since its release. The article also humorously suggests other potential gas effects.
PS Plus Games: Monthly Lineup, Predictions & Discussion Hub (2025)This article serves as a hub for PlayStation Plus subscribers to discuss monthly games across Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers. It details how the monthly games are announced and claimed, lists the May 2025 lineup including Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro, and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, and encourages community predictions and discussions about past titles and subscription value.
Game Quicky – Balatro (PC – Steam) ~ Running Poker MultipliersBalatro offers a refreshing take on poker with engaging roguelike mechanics, polished visuals, and thoughtful accessibility options. While the poker learning curve and limited tutorial recall are minor drawbacks, the game's blend of strategy and luck makes it a highly addictive experience, perfect for short bursts of play.