Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Balatro publisher Playstack has a 'hit ratio' of over 85 percent
UK-based company Playstack, known for publishing the hit game Balatro, boasts a success rate of over 85 percent for its published titles. The company also publishes games such as Abiotic Factor and VOID/BREAKER.
Balatro publisher Playstack has a 'hit ratio' of over 85 percent
Balatro publisher Playstack boasts a high success rate for its published titles. Meanwhile, two senior Xbox leaders, Lori Wright and Haiyan Zhang, have departed Microsoft, announcing their exits on LinkedIn.
Analysts say Slay the Spire 2 is the best-performing deckbuilder of all time—and the competition isn't close
Analysts from Newzoo report that Slay the Spire 2 has achieved the best launch performance for any deckbuilder game on record, significantly surpassing titles like Balatro and its predecessor. The game sold 3 million copies in its first week of early access on Steam, generating approximately $75 million in gross revenue before platform cuts.
A retro Starship Troopers shooter, a video store sim and other new indie games worth checking out
This roundup highlights several new and upcoming indie games, including the retro first-person shooter Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!, the video store simulation Retro Rewind, and the narrative game In Their Shoes. Other featured titles include the roguelike deckbuilder World's Goodest Pup, the comedy adventure Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime, and the action platformer Dark Scrolls.
Last Chance to Buy These 60+ PS5, PS4 Games in PS Store's Spring Sale
The PlayStation Store's Spring Sale offers discounts on over 60 PS5 and PS4 games, with deals running until April 22, 2026. This guide highlights recommended titles that have received at least a 7/10 score, many at their lowest prices ever.
60+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Refreshed Spring Sale (North America/Europe)
The PlayStation Store's Spring Sale is currently active and features over 60 discounted games for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The sale includes a curated list of recommended titles, many of which are at their lowest prices ever, and will run until April 22, 2026.
60+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Refreshed Spring Sale
The PlayStation Store's Spring Sale is ongoing until April 22, 2026, featuring over 60 discounted PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 games. The article highlights recommended titles that have received high scores and are at their lowest prices, including "Metaphor: ReFantazio," "Resident Evil 4," and "Hades."
Ubisoft announces layoffs and the cease of game development at Red Storm Entertainment
Ubisoft has announced significant cost-cutting measures, including 105 layoffs and the cessation of game development at its Red Storm Entertainment studio. The studio will now focus on the Snowdrop engine, IT, and customer relations. Separately, indie publisher Playstack, owned by TruFin, reported strong financial performance with over 85% of its published games achieving a positive return on investment, largely driven by the success of Balatro.
Balatro publisher Playstack boasts "hit ratio" of over 85%
Parent company TruFin reports that indie label Playstack has achieved a hit ratio of over 85%, with nearly all published games generating a positive return on external development investment. Playstack generated £55.3 million in gross revenue in 2025, a 24% increase year-on-year, and its portfolio has seen over 20 million downloads and 150 million hours played. The success of titles like Balatro has significantly boosted the company's confidence and strategy.
Balatro publisher Playstack has a 'hit ratio' of more than 85 percent
Playstack, the publisher behind the successful game Balatro, has achieved a 'hit ratio' of over 85 percent, indicating most of its published titles have generated positive returns. The company's parent, TruFin, reported significant growth in profit before tax for 2025, with Playstack's catalog grossing over $100 million on Steam alone. Balatro itself sold over 5 million units by January 2025 and contributed to record sales for Playstack.
Is roguelike deckbuilder sequel Slay the Spire 2 worth playing in early access?
Slay the Spire 2 has launched in early access, offering a familiar roguelike deckbuilding experience with new characters and a co-op mode. While the game is polished and offers significant content, it heavily recycles elements from its predecessor, potentially feeling stale for veterans. Newcomers will find a deep and engaging introduction to the genre, though it may present a steep learning curve.
‘Pizza Tower’, ‘Castlevania Dominus Collection’, Plus Today’s Other Releases and Sales – TouchArcade
The Nintendo Switch eShop received several shadow drop releases on August 28th, 2024, including Castlevania Dominus Collection, Pizza Tower, and Goat Simulator 3. The article also details new and expiring sales, highlighting deals on games like Balatro and MLB The Show 24.
‘Balatro’ Is Coming to Apple Arcade and Also iOS as a Standalone Premium Release Beginning September 26th – TouchArcade
The popular roguelike card game Balatro is launching on iOS, Android, and Apple Arcade on September 26th for $9.99. Developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, the game has already sold over 2 million units on PC and consoles. A major free update is planned for 2025.
‘NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition’ Headlines October 2024’s New Apple Arcade Releases With Three App Store Greats – TouchArcade
Apple Arcade has announced its lineup for October 2024, with NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition headlining the releases on October 3rd. This marks the debut of 'The Neighborhood' on iOS, featuring streetball courts and NBA legends. Other notable additions include Balatro+, Smash Hit+, Furistas Cat Cafe+, and Food Truck Pup+.
A Phoenix from the Ashes – The TouchArcade Show #603 – TouchArcade
TouchArcade is transitioning its podcast to Patreon, with the latest episode, #603, featuring discussions on Balatro, the iPhone 16 Pro, and listener emails. The podcast is available in both audio and video formats, with some content exclusive to Patreon supporters.
MacBook Air M5 review: Same but faster
The 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 gag
During 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 remember
The 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.