Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.
Playstack CEO pledges to be 'mindful' about growth after majority takeoverUK publisher Playstack has been acquired by Integrated Media Company (IMC), which purchased an 84.5 percent stake from previous owner TruFin for approximately £125 million. Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott stated that the company's operational model will remain largely unchanged, with IMC and its parent company Texas Pacific Group supporting Playstack's growth plans. Elliott also indicated that studio acquisitions are a possibility for future expansion.
Playstack CEO: new owner will keep it separate from its games media brands including GamesSpot and FandomPlaystack, the publisher behind games like Balatro and Abiotic Factor, has been acquired by Integrated Media Company (IMC), the owner of Fandom and GameSpot. CEO Harvey Elliott stated that Playstack will remain a separate entity and continue its strategy as a "variety publisher" with a commitment to an eclectic lineup through 2028. The new ownership structure is expected to provide scale without operational integration, ensuring no staff changes and continued respect for Playstack's creative decisions.- Steam Deck Battery: 5 Games Last a Flight (2026) | TAGThis guide details the real-world battery life of the Steam Deck, both OG and OLED models, highlighting five games that can last a 5-hour flight: Stardew Valley, Balatro, Slay the Spire 2, Vampire Survivors, and Hades II. It also lists games that drain the battery quickly, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, and provides tips on extending battery life through settings adjustments and the use of power banks.
- 8 Switch 2 Launch Games for Weekend Gamers (2026) | TAGThis guide recommends eight games for the Nintendo Switch 2 that are suitable for players with limited weekend gaming time. It highlights titles like Mario Kart World, Balatro, and Hades II for their short session-friendliness and suggests avoiding live-service games. The article also provides advice on budgeting and managing a game library for weekend-only players.
If you've ever wanted to play Geoguessr with a narrative twist, Locator: The Search for Abigail is what you've…Locator: The Search for Abigail is a Geoguessr-inspired detective game where players search for a missing archaeologist on an alien planet. The game, developed by Empty Exhibit and published by Playstack, features a narrative twist on location-based guessing mechanics and was recently shown at the PC Gaming Show with updated visuals.
Mr Magpie's Harmless Card Game is Minesweeper but a deckbuilder where you're trapped in a horrible murder-liftMr Magpie's Harmless Card Game, developed by Giant Light Games and published by Behaviour, is a deckbuilder inspired by Minesweeper. Players navigate a deadly elevator, earning money by avoiding 'JERRY' cards while trying to escape a puppet overlord. The game features metaprogression with unlockable perks and is available on Steam.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – June 7, 2026 – Yoshi reclaims the top spotThe Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of June 7, 2026, show "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book" reclaiming the top spot. "Mina the Hollower" dropped to fourth place, while "eFootball Kick-Off" debuted at eighth. The charts list the top-selling games and download-only titles on the platform.- Switch 2 vs Steam Deck OLED: Pick One (2026) | TAGThis article compares the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck OLED for adult consumers with a $500 budget who can only own one device. The Switch 2 is recommended for its first-party Nintendo exclusives, family features, and ease of use, while the Steam Deck OLED is favored for its existing Steam library, indie game breadth, and flexibility for tinkerers. Both devices are considered adequate for short-session games but struggle with the newest AAA titles at full fidelity.
Last Chance To Get These Discounted Switch Gems In Nintendo's eShop 'Indie Sale' (North America)Nintendo is currently running an 'Indie Sale' on its North American eShops, featuring discounts on numerous highly-rated indie titles for the Nintendo Switch. The sale includes games that received a 9/10 or higher in reviews, with prices significantly reduced until Sunday, June 7th. Notable titles on sale include Hollow Knight, Cuphead, and Balatro.
Handheld Gaming 2026: Which Device Fits Your Life | TAGIn 2026, the handheld gaming market offers diverse options like the Switch 2, Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go S, each catering to different user needs. The article emphasizes choosing a device based on real-life usage, such as commute comfort, portability, game catalog, and travel suitability, rather than solely on raw performance benchmarks.
Lexispell is Balatro for people that love spelling bees and hate gamblingLexispell is a new roguelike word game that draws comparisons to Balatro but replaces gambling mechanics with spelling challenges. Players act as witches, collecting letters to spell words and earn points, with bonuses awarded for word length and special letter combinations. The game is available on PC via Steam.
Newborn Gaming: 7 One-Handed Picks for Parents | TAGThis guide recommends seven games suitable for parents with a newborn, focusing on titles playable with one hand, minimal audio, and limited movement. Suggestions include Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Stardew Valley, and Slay the Spire 2 for mobile or PC, emphasizing games that can be played silently and with simple controls.
5 Short-Session Games for the First Trimester | TAGThis guide offers five game recommendations for individuals experiencing the first trimester of pregnancy, a period often characterized by fatigue and nausea. The selected games, including Stardew Valley, A Short Hike, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Slay the Spire 2, and Balatro, are chosen for their gentle gameplay, save-anywhere features, and minimal emotional or cognitive demands, making them suitable for limited energy and attention spans.- Game Crossovers and CollaborationsThe character Jimbo from the game Balatro made a cameo appearance in the video Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts. This highlights the growing trend of crossovers and collaborations within the gaming industry.
Balatro Joins the Scriptorium! Jimbo Arrives in Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts With Some Very Special Requests…Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts has received a free update that introduces a crossover with the game Balatro. The update adds Jimbo, a character from Balatro, along with new commissions and assets for players to create custom card designs and Jokers. The update also includes quality-of-life improvements and over 200 new drawable assets.
Balatro's latest crossover lets you design your very own deck of medieval Jimbo cardsBalatro's latest crossover introduces medieval Jimbo cards designed by Yaza Games in Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts. This update allows players to create and export their own Jimbo-themed cards, front and back, and includes new assets and gallery features for managing creations. The crossover also allows players to design a ship to bring Jimbo ashore as part of new commissions.
Check out the 50 most popular Steam Deck games for May 2026This article lists the 50 most popular games played on the Steam Deck during May 2026, based on data from Valve. The list includes newly released titles like Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2, alongside enduring favorites such as Slay the Spire and Stardew Valley.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – May 31, 2026 – Mina the Hollower takes down YoshiThe latest Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of May 31, 2026, show Mina the Hollower debuting at number one, unseating Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. New entries Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen and Stray also made their debut on the charts.
Backrooms to triple previous A24 opening weekend record at $85+ millionThe film adaptation of the internet meme 'Backrooms' has achieved a massive opening weekend, grossing an estimated $85-$88 million, significantly surpassing A24's previous record holder, 'Civil War'. The film's success is noted for its connection to online gaming culture, with director Kane Parsons dreaming in 'Portals' and the film's environments appearing in games like 'Straftat' and 'Roblox'.- A private equity company has acquired Balatro publisher, PlaystackIntegrated Media Company, which also owns Fandom, GameSpot, and Metacritic, has acquired Playstack, the publisher of the popular game Balatro. This acquisition marks a significant move in the gaming industry's business landscape.