Update []: If you've been hoping to play Balatro on PC Game Pass, we've got good news for you! It's since been added to the service for PC users as well.
Original Story: It's just been announced at today's Xbox Indie Showcase that none other than Balatro is heading to Xbox Game Pass as a shadow drop! The game will be available imminently for console (unfortunately not PC as of yet) via the service.
If you haven't heard of it, Balatro is a card game that many considered to be a Game of the Year candidate in 2024, and it's known for proving very addictive - so be warned before you go downloading it on Game Pass later today!
Here's a bit of what we said in our Balatro review last year:
"Balatro is an incredibly clever indie gem that uses the bones of regular poker to build an incredibly approachable and fiendishly addictive new experience.
There's a wonderfully slick core to this one, building decks and taking on dealers as you add wild special cards and variables to your pack is trance-inducing stuff and, backed by a fantastically understated soundtrack and perfect visuals, it makes for one of the first proper, actual, absolute must-play games of 2024."
Alongside the Xbox Game Pass release, a series of collaborations have also been revealed for Balatro today as part of the Pack 4 update, with the likes of Bugsnax, Assassin's Creed and even Fallout getting involved in the fun.
Balatro was far from the only Game Pass reveal at the Xbox Indie Showcase today as well, with a massive number of other titles getting announced for later in 2025. We've covered those elsewhere on Pure Xbox if you're interested:
Excited to check out Balatro on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know down in the comments below.
Comments 37
Never heard of it but what I saw from the show looked great!
@Kaloudz It's video poker where the rules change drastically every round you play.
Already own it on Steam but it's seriously a fantastic game.
Already owns it on xbox, steam and google play, great addition!
Heyo I was about to buy this later tonight, score! Thank you to my favorite coporate jargon dispenser: Phill Spencer!
@Kaloudz I’m not a poker player whatsoever, but I gave this a try because of all of the praise it was getting. It’s a fantastic game, it’s the poster child of “just one more round.”
@ValentineMeikin @Odium Thanks very much guys! Certainly going to give it a go seeing as it's on Game Pass Gotta love those "one more go" sorts of games too.
Second place after Infinite Wealth as GOTY last year.
Well, there goes my productivity at work. This game is addictive… be warned!
My Xbox is my GamePass machine, and I barely used it last year. I played a few games on the Xbox in parts of March and April, and then it lay dormant until Indy came out in December. Most of my time was on PS5.
That is not going to be the case in 2025. Avowed. Atomfall. Expedition 33. Rogue Trader. Outer Worlds 2. Star Citizen 2. Now Balatro? Dang, there isn't even going to be time to play it all!
How did I miss it's on gp?
Amazing game! Absolutely recommended to anyone who likes a puzzle or collection sort of game.
Obviously no extra cost on gamepass but I'd recommend it on a portable and best on a phone - just the easiest way to pick up and play.
@NintendoByNature Literally just announced. Like, an hour ago.
Also, beginner's tip - in the options there is an accessibility feature to improve contrast between the cards - turn it on.
It makes diamonds orange and clubs blue and will reduce the number of silly mistakes you make - particularly on that one last run before sleeping!
Wow. Good on xbox. Obviously a lot of people have already purchased, but to shell out to feature on GP is nice. Prestige indie and a fantastic game.
@FraserG I meant, I'm not sure how I missed it during the show. Doh!
Game of they year 2024? Yeah I doubt it's as good as Indiana Jones is.
@Medic_alert what an excellent suggestion. Thank you
Haven’t played it before but have heard great things. An absolute no-brainer to try on GP, plus the file size is only 426mb so it downloads in under a minute even on my rubbish connection. Happy Days.
@Scummbuddy no problem, learned that the hard way!
Many a lost run thinking I was about to play a flush!
Do I need to understand Poker before playing this? Because I’ll be honest…I haven’t the foggiest idea how to play it!
Wow, that's a nice surprise. Been playing Slay the Spire a lot which is another brilliant rogue like deck builder so popping into Gamepass and seeing this is brilliant! Gamepass is just brilliant at the moment. Already have it on Switch but this is another excuse to get stuck back in.
@Tasuki having played both, I would personally say this is a CONSIDERABLY better game than Indy, which is also a great game.
Couldn't be much more different to each other, but in terms of enjoyment, this one is a genuine all time great.
(Played extensively on Switch)
@Nightcrawler71 I didn't understand poker and I love this game. Give it a go.
@FraserG as of right now, it's not on PC Game Pass. My wife got a month of PCGP to play Avowed, so I've been checking since you published this article, because I wanted to see what it was like before picking it up to play on Steam Deck.
Absolutely fantastic game but if u have an addictive personality stay far far away lol
@Nightcrawler71 The only poker knowledge that is helpful is the types of hands you can play. Other than that, Balatro is totally its own thing, and guides you as you go.
@Nightcrawler71 all the info you need is in the game and you will pick up the poker hands pretty quickly, no experience needed.
@Medic_alert @LadyCharlie @Scrubchub Cheers guys 👍 will give it a go.
I got it on mobile, but couldn't get the hang of how it works. Maybe I'll have better luck on Xbox.
@Markatron84 That's a shame :/
The most addictive game I have played in a long time. I have this on the Switch and would prefer to play there with it, but this is a great addition to Game Pass. Collecting and using Jokers is so addictive, be warned 👍
Which Game Pass models? Ultimate only?
You could be more accurate, since there are 3 different Game Pass models.
@Nintendo4Sonic I'm sure you'll figure it out somehow.
This is rare case where the game shines on phones/tablets. I recommend buying it there instead.
I knew this day would come and I have patiently waited for it. Can't wait to dive into this one.
Huge W! Gamepass this last 5 months has been crazy value.
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