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The Latest Breaking News from LocalThunk

Balatro creator speaks out as PEGI doubles down on its 18+ rating, "blaming EU laws" for the roguelike's adults-only categorization: "This sucks"

Well, at least we tried

GamesRadar

Balatro dev swings at PEGI for rating it 18+ because of its 'evil playing cards', jokes that he should 'add microtransactions' like EA Sports FC 25 to 'lower that rating to a 3+'

"If these other games were rated properly, I'd happily accept the weirdo 18+."

PC Gamer

After 3,500,000 units sold and its Game Awards wins, Balatro does a victory lap and absorbs 8 new crossovers in its unstoppable march to turn all games into cute little cards that get you points and stuff

Praise be to Jimbo, Jimbo is all.

PC Gamer

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You can now order a real deck of Balatro cards, which is good because that game's still all I think about

Though they won't be arriving in time for Christmas.

PC Gamer

Indie phenomenon Balatro is one of the most-played games on Steam Deck this year, beaten only by Stardew Valley and previous GOTY winners Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3

The little roguelike that could

GamesRadar

After winning two awards, Balatro dev reveals they only started making their hit roguelike "because I had a few weeks of vacation to burn" and only thought it would be "a fun little project"

Little did they know how much we'd all love it

GamesRadar

After dominating The Game Awards in 2023, Baldur's Gate 3 is in the running for even more gold in 2024

Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lead The Game Awards 2024 nominations, but Larian's magnum opus is still in the fight.

PC Gamer

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Balatro creator added extra Jokers to the hit roguelike because someone at its publisher "mentioned something about '150 Jokers' and instead of correcting them I just made 30 more"

Could you survive without these cards?

GamesRadar

Balatro creator admits his attempt to 100% his own roguelike game before the mobile port was doomed, and now he has "some words for John Balatro"

I, too, have words for John Balatro

GamesRadar

You would not believe how low the Balatro creator's expectations were for the roguelike: "My actual production project folder is called 'CardGame' and is still in my 'Learning' directory'"

The indie roguelike is a hit, but developer LocalThunk didn't believe it would be

GamesRadar

Before Balatro took over the world, the roguelike's creator considered naming it Fool's Gambit - "obviously not a great name," but it had a killer main menu

You could rearrange the letters for fun

GamesRadar

Balatro adds new card backs from Stardew Valley, Cyberpunk 2077, Slay the Spire, and Binding of Isaac, and they're all free

Friends of Jimbo 2 is here.

PC Gamer

Apple is a better PC gaming platform than people give it credit for, but it's still not a gaming platform

Apple gaming is finally starting to bear fruit.

PC Gamer

Balatro creator kicks off supervillain arc, celebrates humanity losing 11,000 years of time to the roguelike across all platforms

Yes, eleven t h o u s a n d years

GamesRadar

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GamesRadar

Balatro creator reacts to award nomination by telling you to vote for another indie: "A truly deserving gem"

Localthunk is a big fan of the acclaimed indie RPG Arco

GamesRadar

Balatro creator in disbelief as the roguelike hit tops mobile sales charts, beating Minecraft and Stardew Valley despite one pesky issue

Localthunk reacts to their already-huge game blowing up in a new arena

GamesRadar

"Looks like we found out who the real joker is": Balatro dev reveals one Joker card has been hiding a revolutionary secret all along, because they "thought it was pretty funny"

Misprint has a secret ability

GamesRadar

The roguelike that was Balatro's "largest influence" has had its own "minor sales spike" thanks to the hit indie's upcoming mobile release

Luck be a Landlord is in luck

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GamesRadar

Balatro's solo dev says "I'm sorry" as their hit indie roguelike prepares to launch on mobile this month, "productivity be damned"

Balatro is set to launch on mobile on September 26

PC Gamer

Balatro has sold 2 million copies, free 'major gameplay update' coming next year

The poker roguelike will throw some "new ideas and strategies" into the pot in 2025.

Windows Central

One of 2024's best rated games teases a huge free update for 2025, and you can buy-in for under $9 right now

Smash indie hit Balatro is getting a big update in 2025, announced alongside the news that its sold 2 million copies.

GamesRadar

Balatro is getting a "major gameplay update" next year with "new ideas and strategies" as the roguelike poker sensation sells 2 million copies

Balatro is somehow getting even better

GamesRadar

Roguelike hit Balatro can't be sold to any gambling companies or casinos even after its creator dies, because its solo dev is so against that idea they've written it into their will

"I hate the thought of Balatro becoming a true gambling game"

GamesRadar

Balatro'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 Valley

Joining the big leagues

Windows Central

My favorite game of 2024 will be the first physical edition I've bought in years — because the freebie is AMAZING

I've not cared about physical games for years, but this Special Edition has stopped me in my tracks. My game of the year, Balatro, has a physical disc available for pre-order with an unmissable free gift included.

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