Balatro is an exceptional fusion of deck-building mechanics, roguelike progression, and strategic poker-based gameplay that has captivated players worldwide. Its unique approach to modifying traditional poker hands with powerful Joker cards has made it a standout title in the indie gaming scene. The game was a massive hit last year, selling millions of copies across PC and consoles before expanding to mobile platforms like Android and iOS. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the perfect time—Balatro is now available on Xbox Game Pass, making it more accessible than ever for subscribers.
While Xbox Game Pass isn’t without its flaws, it remains one of the best values in gaming, particularly for players who don’t need PlayStation or Nintendo exclusives. The service costs $12 per month for PC-only access or $20 per month for the Ultimate tier, which includes console access and cloud streaming. Many gamers use it strategically, subscribing for a single month to play high-profile releases without committing to a full-price purchase. This approach has been popular for major releases like Starfield and Obsidian’s upcoming Avowed, and now Balatro joins the ever-growing Game Pass library as a must-play indie title.
For those looking to own the game outright, Balatro remains an affordable purchase, priced at $15 on Steam and $10 on mobile devices. In fact, the touchscreen controls on phones and tablets arguably offer an even better way to experience the game’s fast-paced mechanics. Though the core game was already polished upon release, developer LocalThunk has continued supporting it with free content updates. The recent “Friends of Jimbo 4” update introduced cosmetic card art inspired by popular franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Bugsnax, Dead by Daylight, Fallout, Rust, and Civilization, adding an extra layer of fun for fans of these games.
Still not convinced? Consider this: over the holidays, Balatro found an unexpected new fan—an octogenarian who hadn’t played a mainstream game since Angry Birds. Installed on an iPad as a casual experiment, it quickly became an obsession, culminating in a 20,000-point high score that was proudly shared in a phone call weeks later. If a game can bridge generations like that, it’s worth a shot.
