Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | PC: 90/100 [40] XBXS: 95/100 [41] PS5: 90/100 [42] NS: 90/100 [43] |
OpenCritic | 100% recommend [44] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Eurogamer | 4/5 [5] |
Game Informer | 9.5/10 [2] |
GameSpot | 9/10 [7] |
Hardcore Gamer | 5/5 [45] |
IGN | 9/10 [3] |
Nintendo Life | 10/10 [46] |
Nintendo World Report | 9/10 [10] |
PC Gamer (US) | 91% [8] |
Push Square | 9/10 [47] |
Shacknews | 9/10 [48] |
Balatro has received "universal acclaim" according to review aggregator Metacritic. [40] [41] [42] [43] OpenCritic, another aggregator, said that 100% of critics recommend the game. [44]
The game's playability has received praise from critics. Simon Cardy from IGN described it as "ludicrously fun" and "remarkably approachable," [3] while Jordan Helm from Hardcore Gamer called it "addictive" and "expertly-crafted". [45] Charlie Brooker, the creator of Black Mirror , called it "possibly the most addictive thing ever created" and that once it was released for mobile devices, "humankind's activity is going to drop about 25%". [49] Writing for The Guardian , Keza MacDonald stated that "Balatro might be the best card game you will ever come across". [50]
In addition, the game's roguelike elements have received positive reviews. Abbie Stone from PC Gamer described gameplay as "strategizing your way to success," [8] and Alessandro Barbosa from GameSpot called each run "surprisingly fresh." [7] Chris Allnutt writing in Financial Times praised the "wonderfully retro VCR-style visuals, lo-fi music and irreverent sound effects." [51]
With the success of Balatro, LocalThunk kept to a low profile, not wanting much attention on their real-world identity and avoiding the stress that would come with it. [25] They have also used the attention drawn to Balatro to highlight other indie titles released near the same time, [52] including naming Animal Well , Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers , Arco , Nova Drift , Ballionaire , and Mouthwashing for their "Golden Thunk Awards". [53]
Following its popularity, the game has inspired significant activity from the player community, including memes, [54] the integration of other games within it, [55] and an unofficial port to the Apple Watch developed in January 2025, called Wee Balatro, which is awaiting the author’s approval. [56]
Within eight hours of release, the game had made over US$1 million in gross revenue according to publisher Playstack. Over 250,000 copies were sold in the first three days, [57] 500,000 copies in the first ten days, [58] one million within the first month, [59] and two million within the first six months. [60] It reached over 3.5 million copies sold in December 2024, less than a full year after release. [61] The game surpassed 5 million copies sold one month later in January 2025. [62]
Balatro received nominations for multiple accolades. In 2024 it won Golden Joystick Awards' "Best Indie Game" and "Breakthrough" awards. [63] At The Game Awards 2024, it won "Best Independent Game", "Best Debut Indie Game", and "Best Mobile Game"; [64] it was also nominated for "Game of the Year", the first time a solo game project was nominated for the top honor. [65]
Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Golden Joystick Awards | Ultimate Game of the Year | Nominated | [66] [67] |
Best Indie Game | Won | |||
Best Audio Design | Nominated | |||
PC Game of the Year | Nominated | |||
Breakthrough (Critic's Choice) | Won | |||
The Game Awards 2024 | Game of the Year | Nominated | [64] | |
Best Game Direction | Nominated | |||
Best Independent Game | Won | |||
Best Debut Indie Game | Won | |||
Best Mobile Game | Won | |||
The Steam Awards | Game of the Year | Nominated | [68] | |
Most Innovative Gameplay | Nominated | |||
Best Game on Steam Deck | Nominated | |||
2025 | New York Game Awards | Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year | Nominated | [69] |
Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game | Nominated | |||
28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Game of the Year | Pending | [70] | |
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game | Pending | |||
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design | Pending | |||
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year | Pending | |||
Mobile Game of the Year | Pending | |||
Independent Games Festival | Seumas McNally Grand Prize | Honorable mention | [71] | |
Excellence in Design | Pending | |||
Game Developers Choice Awards | Game of the Year | Pending | [72] | |
Best Audio | Honorable mention | |||
Best Debut | Pending | |||
Best Design | Pending | |||
Innovation Award | Pending | |||
Best Visual Art | Honorable mention | |||
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