GamesCard GameBalatroBalatro has sold 2 million copies, free ‘major gameplay update’ coming next yearWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesCard GameBalatroBalatro has sold 2 million copies, free ‘major gameplay update’ coming next yearWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: LocalThunk)

A card game

There have been a few small hints that people like poker roguelike Balatro. OurBalatro reviewscore of 91, for instance, the 40,000 Steam reviews that average out to “Overwhelmingly Positive,” and the fact that I put 30 hours into it in a single week—and that was when I was playing the pre-launch demo, not even the full game.

Another tiny clue that Balatro is, y’know,pretty goodsurfaced this week: it’s now sold over 2 million copies on all platforms. That’s outstanding for a game that’s been for the most part the work of a single developer, LocalThunk.

Wait, there’s the next chapter? Yes, there is. LocalThunk is gonna put more Balatro in Balatro.

“Playstack is thrilled to announce that developer LocalThunk will release a major gameplay update for Balatro in 2025,” said Balatro’s publisher. “This update will bring new ideas and strategies to the game and will be released across all platforms. And as a token of huge appreciation to the game’s brilliant and passionate community, the update will be completely free.”

It’s unfortunate how vague that statement is, but I guess it’s not against type for the developer of a poker-inspired game to play its cards close to the vest. Hopefully we’ll get some more information on the update soon.

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I personally hope one of the announcements is that a Balatro movie is being made, and it’s called Balatrounders: a sequel to Rounders where John Malkovich reprises his role as Teddy KGB and yells things like “In my club I play de Perkeo Joker ven-ever de fuck I pleess!”

Failing that, maybe just some Teddy KGB sounds effects could be added to the game? Whenever I have a gold card in my hand at the end of the round, he could say “Pay heem. Pay day-at ma-yin hees munn-ay.”

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Legendary joker ports Balatro to the 44-millimeter screen of an Apple Watch, calls it ‘Wee Balatro’You should definitely grab today’s free Epic Store giveaway: this ‘dicebuilder’ might quietly be the best freebie of the season

Balatro being played on an Apple Watch

Legendary joker ports Balatro to the 44-millimeter screen of an Apple Watch, calls it ‘Wee Balatro’

Legendary joker ports Balatro to the 44-millimeter screen of an Apple Watch, calls it ‘Wee Balatro’

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You should definitely grab today’s free Epic Store giveaway: this ‘dicebuilder’ might quietly be the best freebie of the season

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null

Watching an all-romances speedrun of the legendarily janky Fallout: New Vegas is a delight

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