Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.
Subnautica 2 exec is tired of Balatro-likes, says devs pitched "maybe 250 roguelike deckbuilders in the last 12…Krafton executive Victor Lee expressed fatigue with the surge of roguelike deckbuilders inspired by Balatro, noting that the company receives hundreds of pitches for similar games. He advised developers against chasing short-lived trends, emphasizing the rapidly shortening trend cycles in the gaming industry.
Rune Dice Review | TheXboxHubRune Dice is a charming roguelike deck-builder that offers an innovative dice-rolling gameplay loop with unique mechanics and visual appeal. While the core gameplay is compelling, the article notes that the traversal and stage design can become repetitive over time, detracting from the overall experience despite the game's charming presentation and strategic depth.
"Roguelike can be anything": Krafton exec is very tired of being pitched "Balatro with different cards"Victor Lee, director of Europe investments for Krafton, expressed frustration with the oversaturation of roguelike deckbuilder games, likening many to 'Balatro with different cards.' He highlighted the diminishing trend cycles in gaming and advised developers to focus on passion projects rather than chasing fleeting fads, especially for longer development cycles.- Best Buy’s Memorial Day Sale – Save Up to 75% On Handhelds, Controllers, Games, And MoreBest Buy is holding a Memorial Day sale with discounts on over 1,300 gaming products, including handhelds, controllers, and games. Notable deals include the ASUS ROG Ally for $500 and various titles for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The sale runs until May 25.
Pool game roguelike STICKER/BALL is total unfiltered score-chasing chaosSTICKER/BALL is a chaotic roguelike that combines pool mechanics with score-chasing and sticker-based power-ups. While the game can become overwhelming with its numerous effects, its random nature and addictive gameplay loop make it a fun experience for players who enjoy games like Balatro. It runs well on Linux via Proton.- 20 Must-Play Games on Steam Deck in 2026 (Verified and Optimized) | TAGThis guide highlights 20 games that perform exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, focusing on session-friendliness and battery life. It categorizes games into quick sessions, hour-long sessions, and deep dives, while also noting AAA titles that are playable with adjustments. The article also details Valve's 'Steam Deck Verified' system and lists games that did not make the cut due to performance issues.
- Summer Games Done Quick Returns This July, Schedule Out NowSummer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) will return from July 5-11, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, benefiting Doctors Without Borders. The event will feature speedrunners tackling games like Super Mario 64, Balatro, and Tetris, with all donations going to the charity. Last year's event raised $2.4 million.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026This guide highlights the best PC games available in 2026, spanning various genres and including both recent releases and enduring live-service titles. The list emphasizes games that run well on PC, with considerations for hardware and accessibility, and notes that many titles are also playable on devices like the Steam Deck.
I'm tired of everything getting turned into a roguelite, but I'll make an exception for pinballThe author expresses fatigue with the oversaturation of the roguelite genre in game development, citing the rapid release of similar titles on Steam. However, an exception is made for the upcoming game Pin-Crawl, which blends dungeon crawling with pinball mechanics, appealing to the author's love for both genres.
Solo Survival Guide: 8 Games No Discord Ping (2026) | TAGThis guide identifies eight games ideal for long-term solo play in 2026, focusing on replayability, offline functionality, and lack of notifications. The selected titles include Slay the Spire 2, Balatro, Hades II, Stardew Valley, Terraria, Elden Ring, Outer Wilds, and Final Fantasy XIV, with recommendations for hardware like the Steam Deck and PC.
7 Offline Games for Flight, Hotel, Waiting Room | TAGThis guide highlights seven games that function fully offline, ideal for travel situations with unreliable internet. Titles like Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Hades II, and Stardew Valley are recommended for their ability to run without account checks or sync requirements on devices such as the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2. The article also provides tips for preparing gaming devices for travel and avoiding common pitfalls like installing games at the airport or forgetting chargers.
Solo-Only Players: Skip Every Battle Pass in 2026 | TAGThis article argues that solo players should skip all battle passes starting in 2026, as the monetization system relies on social validation and FOMO, which are largely irrelevant to solo experiences. The author contends that the time investment required for battle passes is not worth the temporary cosmetics, suggesting that the saved money and time could be better spent on full single-player game purchases.
Kitty Krush: Cat Game Is a Roguelike Deck-Builder Full of Hungry Cats, Out Now!Kitty Krush: Cat Game, a new roguelike deck-builder inspired by Balatro, is now available on Android. Developed by The Slanted Room, the game features a cat civilization enslaving humans through demands for milk, with players aiming to hit target scores across chapters. Progression involves earning Kitty Coins between runs to upgrade decks and unlock secret content.
Saros Doesn’t Like Being a Roguelike, So Why Is It One?Saros, the spiritual successor to Housemarque's roguelike hit Returnal, is criticized for shunning its predecessor's genre conventions in an effort to be more approachable. Despite technically featuring roguelike elements like randomized loot and levels, the game is seen as hollowed out due to stunted build variety and a lack of interlocking systems. This departure from its roguelike roots, while aiming for broader appeal, results in a discordant experience that undermines both its gameplay and narrative potential.
The Best Casino-Style Xbox Games to Play in 2026 (Without Spending Real Money)This guide highlights six Xbox and Game Pass titles that incorporate casino mechanics without requiring real money, focusing on elements like risk, math, and strategy. Games such as Balatro, Inscryption, and Luck be a Landlord are featured for their engaging gameplay loops and casino-inspired design.
Another Viral Roguelike Hit Is Coming to PS5 Very SoonFuture Friends Games announced that the arcade-style slot machine roguelike Slots & Daggers will be released on PlayStation 5 on May 15, 2026. The game, developed by a single person, has achieved a 'Very Positive' rating on PC. The developer's previous solo project, Summerhouse, is also coming to PlayStation 5 on the same date.
Humble Bundle's Spring Mega Sale Kicks Off With Discounts Up To 97% OffHumble Bundle has launched its Spring Mega Sale, featuring discounts of up to 97% on over 6,000 PC and Mac games. The sale runs until May 28, offering significant savings on titles such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and older games like Silent Hill f and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
I bought a $5 Steam Controller 7 years ago and forgot it existed. Now it's my new living room sidekickThe author rediscovers the original Steam Controller, purchased years ago for $5, and finds it to be an excellent companion for the Steam Deck in living room PC gaming setups. Despite Valve discontinuing the device, strong community support through Steam Input ensures extensive game compatibility, making it a surprisingly viable option for mouse-centric games on a TV.
Prepare to rig the market in SlotsNStocks, a deckbuilding slot machine roguelikeSlotsNStocks is a new deckbuilding roguelike from Nightforge Studios that combines slot machine mechanics with stock market simulation. Players draft symbols, spin a slot machine to manipulate the market, and manage risks to meet weekly margin calls. A Steam Playtest is planned before a late 2026 release, with native Linux support confirmed.
Nearly 40 years after launch, NetHack just got a 5.0.0 release with over 3,000 patch notesNetHack, a historically significant roguelike originally released nearly 40 years ago, has received a major 5.0.0 update. This open-source project, maintained by a community DevTeam, continues its active development, building upon the legacy of early dungeon crawlers like Rogue. The game is also recognized for its historical importance, being featured in the Museum of Modern Art.