Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.
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What are we all playing this weekend?
Several individuals from the publication discuss their gaming plans for a UK bank holiday weekend. Topics include returning to Cyberpunk 2077 after its updates, trying out indie titles like Raccoin and Discopup, and revisiting games like Overwatch and Atomfall. Some mention upcoming DLC and new cars for racing simulators.
Indie Pass offers more than 200 games in new low budget Game Pass alternative
Indie.io has announced Indie Pass, a new subscription service launching April 13th for PC, with plans for console release later. Priced at $6.99 per month, it offers access to over 200 curated indie games, aiming to help smaller titles gain visibility. The service will feature revenue sharing with developers based on playtime and does not have exclusivity deals.
Last Chance To Grab These Switch 1 & 2 Games In Nintendo's 'Find Save Play' Sale (Europe)
Nintendo is holding a 'Find Save Play' sale on the European eShop for Nintendo Switch games, with discounts ending on April 12th and April 16th. The sale features a wide variety of critically acclaimed titles, many of which have received high review scores.
100+ Switch 1 & 2 Games To Check Out In Nintendo's 'Find Save Play' Sale (Europe)
Nintendo is holding a 'Find Save Play' sale in Europe, featuring over 100 Nintendo Switch games that have received high review scores. The sale includes discounts on titles such as 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Alien: Isolation, and Dave The Diver, with some deals lasting until April 12th and others until April 16th.
JokerJack Review | TheXboxHub
JokerJack is a Blackjack-based roguelike that heavily borrows from Balatro but fails to capture its essence. The game suffers from a lack of tutorials, confusing mechanics, and an over-reliance on luck, making it a frustrating experience. Despite its potential, JokerJack is ultimately a derivative and poorly executed copycat.
Raccoin Review - Lets go gambl... wait, I've been here before....
Raccoin is a roguelike deckbuilder that uses a coin pusher mechanic, developed by Doraccoon and published by Playstack. While it offers satisfying combo-building and unlockable characters, the game suffers from balancing issues and an overwhelming sound design during large combos. It is seen as another entry in the 'gambling but not really' genre popularized by Balatro, but struggles to differentiate itself.
Another gambling roguelike has hit Steam—and, unsurprisingly, it’s addictive as hell
The new gambling roguelike RACCOIN: Coin Pusher has been released on PC, combining addictive coin-pusher mechanics with roguelike elements. Similar to games like Balatro, RACCOIN uses strong visual and audio feedback to enhance the player's engagement and anticipation of winning. The game is noted for its well-designed systems that leverage the inherent appeal of gambling and coin-pusher machines.
RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike
RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike, a roguelike deckbuilder inspired by coin-pushing machines, has launched on PC via Steam. The game is currently available at an 18% discount for a limited time.
Choosing Your Main Digital Card Game for 2026: Hearthstone, Slay the Spire 2, or Balatro?
This article compares Hearthstone, Slay the Spire 2, and Balatro as potential main digital card games to invest time in for 2026. It highlights Hearthstone's longevity and varied modes, Slay the Spire 2's success as a roguelike deckbuilder, and Balatro's accessible yet deep poker-inspired gameplay.
"Coin pusher roguelike" Raccoin sells over 100K units on Steam in 24 hours
The coin pusher roguelike Raccoin has achieved over 100,000 unit sales on Steam within its first 24 hours of release. Developed by Doraccoon and published by Playstack, the game combines arcade coin pusher mechanics with roguelike and deckbuilding elements. Separately, Embark Studios released the Flashpoint update for Arc Raiders, which aims to improve the looting experience by prioritizing players with custom loadouts for fresh servers.
As expected - Slay the Spire 2 leads the way for the most played Steam Deck games for March 2026
Slay the Spire 2 topped the list of most played games on Steam Deck in March 2026. The article provides a top 50 list of popular titles, with other notable games including Stardew Valley, Baldur's Gate 3, and Elden Ring. The author also mentions continued playtime in Overwatch and Death Stranding 2.
"That is an $11,000 gold texture": Steam researcher says "supporter packs" make a lot of free money because PC gamers love to spend on their favorite games
Steam researcher Chris Zukowski argues that PC game developers should offer supporter packs and digital soundtracks as day-one DLC, even for free-to-play titles. He highlights examples where these offerings generated significant revenue with minimal development effort, suggesting PC gamers are willing to spend extra on games they enjoy through these non-gameplay affecting DLCs.
ProbablyMonsters is betting on an Xbox 360-esque bonanza of single-player AA kookiness
ProbablyMonsters is focusing on the AA gaming space, aiming to create unique single-player experiences reminiscent of the Xbox 360 era. Despite initial low sales for titles like Storm Lancers and Ire: A Prologue, the company, led by new executives David Reid and Harold Ryan, is committed to this strategy, believing it allows for greater creative freedom and potential profitability compared to AAA or indie development.
JokerJack Hits Xbox – Blackjack Gets Twisted Into Something Much Bigger
JokerJack, a game that twists the classic Blackjack into a fast-thinking, combo-driven deckbuilder, is now available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S for £8.39. Developed and published by Stardom Game Studios, the game features over 60 Joker cards that bend the rules and a roguelike structure with evolving challenges. It draws comparisons to the popular roguelike deckbuilder Balatro.
"0.63 is the perfect default delay": Bungie, Respawn and Firaxis game developers talk NPC barks, grenade timing and other questions of craft
Game developers from studios like Firaxis, Bungie, and Respawn shared practical advice on various aspects of game development, including NPC dialogue, UI animation timing, and combat design principles. The discussion, initiated on Bluesky, highlighted the importance of small details in creating satisfying player experiences.
The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026
This guide highlights the best games available on Xbox Game Pass in 2026, covering a wide range of genres from roguelites to open-world adventures. It details different subscription tiers and provides brief descriptions of each recommended title, including recent additions and critically acclaimed games from previous years.
What we've been playing - "I'm playing with my balls again"
Several individuals share their current gaming experiences, including Slay the Spire 2, Marathon, Old School RuneScape, Pokémon Pokopia, and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. The article also touches on games like Nutmeg and The Ball x Pit Regal Update, highlighting the variety of genres and experiences players are engaging with.
"We were there in the 80s for the crash, and this is definitely crashier." John and Brenda Romero reflect on the industry crisis
John and Brenda Romero reflect on the current state of the video game industry, likening it to the 1983 crash and describing it as "definitely crashier." Romero Games faced significant downsizing due to a funding pull, leading to a dramatic reduction in staff. Despite these challenges and industry-wide layoffs, the Romeros remain committed to developing their new game and express passion for creating games.
"I didn't expect them to have the same impact as Final Fantasy 16": Clair Obscur Expedition 33's Ben Starr thought "being an idiot with Balatro" would be his biggest role of 2025, not Sandfall's surprise-hit RPG
Voice actor Ben Starr expressed surprise at the significant success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, noting it unexpectedly rivaled the impact of Final Fantasy 16. Starr, who also contributed to Hades 2, initially believed his biggest role of 2025 would be related to Balatro. The RPG's widespread acclaim highlights a strong player demand for its specific style.
"How wrong I was" – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Ben Starr told friends to keep expectations "in check" before the RPG's launch because "this isn't going to be a smash hit"
Lead actor Ben Starr expressed surprise at the immense success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game he had advised friends to keep their expectations for. Despite his initial reservations about it becoming a "smash hit," the game has become the most-awarded ever and is on track for major accolades. Starr also voiced concerns that the industry might learn the wrong lessons from its unexpected triumph.
