Balatro Review: The Poker Roguelike Taking Over Gaming

Balatro is the kind of game that ruins your sleep schedule. Created by solo developer LocalThunk, this poker roguelike combines deck-building mechanics with poker hands in a way that's immediately understandable yet infinitely deep. It sold over 2 million copies in its first month and won multiple Game of the Year awards—all from a first-time developer.

Simple Rules, Infinite Depth

The concept is deceptively simple: play poker hands to score points and beat blinds. But Balatro introduces Joker cards—150+ unique modifiers that fundamentally change how scoring works. A Joker might make all hearts count as face cards, or multiply your score for every card played, or give you bonus chips for specific hand types.

Stacking these Jokers creates absurd combos. Your humble pair of 2s can suddenly score millions of points when the right synergies align. Discovering these interactions is endlessly rewarding.

The Joker System

Jokers are the heart of Balatro's strategy:

• Common Jokers: Basic multipliers and chip bonuses
• Uncommon Jokers: Conditional modifiers requiring specific plays
• Rare Jokers: Powerful effects that define runs
• Legendary Jokers: Game-breaking abilities
• Negative Jokers: Don't take a slot, stack infinitely

Presentation Perfection

Balatro's CRT-style visuals and synth soundtrack create an atmosphere that's part casino, part fever dream. Cards shimmer with holographic effects. Massive scores explode across the screen. It's hypnotic to watch and even better to play.

The Verdict

Balatro is a once-in-a-generation indie game. It takes a familiar concept—poker—and transforms it into something wholly original. Every run teaches you something new. Every Joker combo opens new possibilities. At $15, it offers hundreds of hours of entertainment and earns our rare perfect score.