Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Can the SideWinder Game Pad, Microsoft's first game controller, work on modern PCs? I bought three of them to find out
This article investigates the compatibility of Microsoft's original SideWinder Game Pad 1.0 with modern PCs. Despite its historical significance and innovative features for its time, the controller faces significant hurdles due to outdated connectivity ports and a lack of driver support, making it difficult to use with contemporary systems.
Valve admits Steam has an AI slop and cloning problem, but says 'we don't want to be gatekeepers telling developers which tools they should or shouldn't use'
Valve has acknowledged a significant problem with AI-generated 'slop' and game cloning on Steam, which is impacting developers and choking events like Steam Next Fest. While aware of the issue, including reports of extortion threats, Valve stated they do not want to act as gatekeepers dictating which tools developers can use. Instead, they suggest developers focus on building strong communities and continually adding unique features to their games to stand out.
GTA 6's PS5 install size is so big you could store 3500 copies of Balatro inside
Grand Theft Auto 6 is reportedly set to have a massive 210 GB file size on PlayStation 5, significantly larger than Red Dead Redemption 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. This large download size highlights ongoing concerns about storage space on modern gaming consoles and PCs, especially for players with limited internet bandwidth.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Oct. 23: Epic Games Halloween Sale
This weekend's PC gaming deals feature a variety of Halloween sales from major digital storefronts including the Epic Games Store, Steam, Green Man Gaming, GOG.com, and Fanatical. Discounts are available on numerous titles, with special bundles and free games also highlighted across platforms like Amazon Luna.
After two weeks using the ROG Xbox Ally X20 I respect it despite its giant price tag
The ASUS ROG Ally X20 offers a refined handheld gaming experience with a larger, brighter OLED screen, improved thermals, and comfortable ergonomics, but its $300 price increase over the standard model makes its value proposition questionable. While performance remains identical to the previous generation, the premium features are appealing for those seeking the best OLED handheld, though cheaper alternatives exist for less demanding users.
Burn With Me is a hand-drawn demon card game featuring the artist's own hand - and also, a refreshingly finite alternative to yer Balatro-likes
Burn With Me is a hand-drawn demon-themed card game that offers a finite alternative to popular deckbuilders like Balatro. Players take on the role of occult university students, using creature cards and modifiers to reach a target score within a pentagram layout. The game features a unique mechanic of drawing new cards by incinerating existing ones and includes a story mode that explores student souls over multiple battles.
Balatro’s Best Trick Was Making Poker Feel Unfamiliar | Invision Game Community
Balatro successfully transforms familiar poker elements into a compelling deck-building puzzle by altering player objectives and the value of traditional hands. The game's design, which won a BAFTA award, offers a strong example of how to translate real-world activities into engaging video game experiences by preserving recognizable elements while introducing new strategic decisions.
'I'm the type of player who loves to 100% a game': SungWon Cho on achievement hunting, why he doesn’t like multiplayer games, and the one Balatro joker that nearly drove him to despair
YouTuber and actor SungWon Cho discusses his love for achievement hunting and single-player games, highlighting titles like Balatro, Hades 2, and Dave the Diver. He expresses a strong preference for completing games fully and avoids multiplayer experiences, with Nerts Online being a notable exception.
Bored with roguelikes? You might still want to play Dicevaders, a game about perfecting dice rolls
Dicevaders is a compelling roguelike deckbuilder that offers significant player control over dice rolls and resource management, making it feel fair and engaging. Despite not feeling entirely novel, its complex synergies and strategic depth provide a rewarding experience that keeps players invested.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Oct. 2: Steam Autumn Sale and friends
The annual Steam Autumn Sale has begun, offering discounts on a wide range of PC games, including recent releases and older titles. Several other digital storefronts like GOG.com, Epic Games Store, and Fanatical are also hosting their own autumn sales, providing various deals and free games.
The Royal Writ Review | TheXboxHub
The Royal Writ is a roguelike deckbuilder that innovates by removing traditional enemies, focusing instead on the player's deck eroding over time. While praised for its clever design and unique approach, the reviewer found it difficult to fully enjoy due to the lack of direct opposition and situational card design, ultimately respecting its originality more than loving its gameplay.
Why so many Steam games have weirdly similar (and forgettable) names
The article discusses the trend of generic and forgettable game names on Steam, citing examples like DUST: Origins and Duskfade. Experts like Hannah Flynn and Simon Carless offer insights into effective game naming strategies, emphasizing originality, memorability, and reflecting the game's essence over mimicking popular titles.
Featuring a host of our favorite games from this year and 2 of our favorite gaming devices, you can now place your votes for the best in gaming in the Golden Joystick Awards 2026
The nominations for the 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards 2026 have been announced, with games like Resident Evil Requiem, Big Walk, and 007 First Light receiving multiple nods across 21 categories. Voting is open until October 23, and the winners will be revealed on November 11. This year's nominations are noted for their diversity, featuring both indie hits and AAA blockbusters.
Vi tar spelhelg med Control Resonant, Wolverine och en AI-svärm
Several individuals share their gaming plans for the weekend, with titles like Astro Bot, Control, Marvel's Wolverine, and Hauntii being highlighted. Some are playing on PlayStation 5 and PC, while others are opting for mobile games like Balatro or considering titles like Dune: Awakening before Grand Theft Auto VI. One person is experimenting with an AI swarm for game prototyping, and another expresses disappointment over not purchasing a Steam Deck.
Even after Palworld 1.0, Pocketpair lead says 2026's best indie could be this Overwhelmingly Positive Steam roguelike citybuilder: "I haven't played a game more addictive since Balatro"
Pocketpair's John Buckley highly recommends the indie citybuilder '100% Combolands,' calling it the best indie game of the year and more addictive than 'Balatro.' Developed by a two-person team, Crux Games, '100% Combolands' is a roguelike citybuilder praised for its strategic depth and satisfying gameplay loop, earning an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating on Steam.
Heroes of Magic & Cards Review | TheXboxHub
Heroes of Magic & Cards is a roguelike deckbuilder that successfully merges poker mechanics with TCG elements, drawing clear inspiration from Balatro and Slay the Spire. While it doesn't introduce many novel ideas, it executes its core gameplay loop exceptionally well, offering deep strategy and satisfying progression. The game provides a meaty and enjoyable experience, though it may not possess the same addictive replayability as some of its genre peers.
The Best Video Games With Gambling Scenes For Modern Digital Entertainment
This article highlights video games featuring gambling scenes, despite increasing regulatory scrutiny on in-game gambling mechanics like loot boxes. Titles such as Grand Theft Auto Online, Red Dead Redemption 2, Fallout: New Vegas, and the poker-inspired roguelike Balatro are discussed for their engaging gambling elements.
Why CD Projekt is Boosting Investment into Witcher Franchise
This article discusses how modern gaming habits favor short play sessions over long, uninterrupted ones. It highlights game design elements like natural play units, low re-entry costs, and constant saving as crucial for games to fit into brief windows of time, citing examples like roguelites and quick multiplayer matches.
Best Games to Play When You Only Have 30 Minutes
This article discusses how to find the best games for short play sessions, focusing on titles that can be enjoyed in 30-minute windows. It highlights genres like roguelites and certain multiplayer games, along with specific examples like Balatro, Rocket League, and Stardew Valley, emphasizing games with quick restarts, low re-entry costs, and constant saving.
Pirate poker battler Piroker has a playtest you can sign up for now
Piroker, a new asynchronous multiplayer poker game with a pirate theme, is offering a playtest that players can sign up for on Steam. The game blends poker mechanics with relics that create powerful builds, similar to the roguelite Balatro. An animated trailer was also released to set the game's tone.
