GamesRoguelikeBalatroBalatro’s creator nearly didn’t bother optimizing the roguelike for Steam Deck - but it’s now one of the handheld’s most-played games alongside Elden Ring and Stardew ValleyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRoguelikeBalatroBalatro’s creator nearly didn’t bother optimizing the roguelike for Steam Deck - but it’s now one of the handheld’s most-played games alongside Elden Ring and Stardew ValleyWhen 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: Playstack)
Balatrois dangerously perfect for the Steam Deck (and the Nintendo Switch, speaking of handhelds). Many a lunch break and sleepless night has been spent staring into its card decks, chasing its big numbers, and deceptively whispering “just one more game” half a dozen times, but it almost wasn’t optimized for the platform.
Don’t just take my word for it.Valve’sSteam Deck Top Playedofficial charts place the poker-themed roguelike as the platform’s third most-played game this past week, behind only perennial favoritesElden Ringand Stardew Valley - the former getting a boost thanks to its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and the latter just, you know, also being painfully perfect for on-the-go play. That means Balatro is more popular on the handheld than some absolute juggernauts like last year’s best RPG Baldur’s Gate 3, GTA 5, Fallout 4, and the recently ported Kingdom Hearts collection.
Balatro’s creator LocalThunk celebrated the news with a quick social media post. “6 months before Balatro went public I barely convinced myself to spend the money and buy a Steam Deck to better develop the game for the platform,” LocalThunktweets. “Turns out that was a pretty good investment, unreal to be so high on this list.”
Balatro might have already caused irreparable damage to global productivity - havingsold over one million copies so far when its creator expected to sell “maybe 10 copies"before going back to their IT job - but its rampage is far from over sincethe roguelike is also coming to mobile. Soon, we can all play “just one more game” whenever we like… a scary future indeed.
In case you haven’t dived in yet, Balatro is currently 10% off thanks to Steam Summer Sale, the digital discount fest boastingmassive sales for Baldur’s Gate 3, theall-timer RPG trilogies, andthe true GOAT: American Truck Simulator.
For more, check out the otherbest roguelike games.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
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1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”