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What do critics think of Balatro?
Reviewers have responded enthusiastically to the way Balatro turns familiar poker hands into the foundation of a roguelike deck-building game. Its central appeal is experimentation: Joker cards and other modifiers can combine into powerful synergies, encouraging players to adapt their strategy as a run unfolds.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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dV Giochi Bang | $39.10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dutch Blitz Card Game - Original Fast Paced Family Game with 160 Cards | $9.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Grandpa Beck's Games Skull King Trick-Taking Card Game | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Balatro: Special Edition - For Nintendo Switch | $34.20 | Buy on Amazon |
Metacritic’s PC critic page characterizes the consensus as positive and displays a 90 Metascore. The aggregate is specific to PC and can change as the page updates. The page also shows inconsistent review totals in different sections, so the score is more useful as a dated snapshot than as a complete accounting of reviews across platforms.
Metacritic’s excerpt of Hardcore Gamer’s review, dated February 19, 2024, praises a game that rewards “clever thinking, mathematical meddling and having the courage to be just that bit braver in uncovering just how far one can push its systems at play.” That description captures a recurring point in the critical response: the pleasure comes from discovering how far a build can go.
#1 Best Overall
- WILD WEST SHOWDOWN: Experience a tense hidden-role battle as Outlaws target the Sheriff, the Sheriff fights for justice, and the Renegade maneuvers between both sides, creating fast, high-stakes decisions every round.
- UNPREDICTABLE EVENTS: Face sudden twists from High Noon effects that disrupt plans, force gunmen to improvise, and introduce shifting dangers that keep every game suspenseful, dynamic, and highly replayable.
- NEW CHARACTERS & ABILITIES: Explore Dodge City additions that introduce fresh gunmen, unique powers, and tactical interactions, expanding strategic depth and offering new ways to outplay opponents.
- RAISE THE STAKES: Add A Fistful of Cards and other expansions to intensify the action with bold risks, dramatic shootouts, and unexpected turns that keep players guessing until the final bullet is fired.
- FAST, SOCIAL GAMEPLAY: Ideal for families and hobby groups, BANG! delivers quick setup, engaging bluffing, and lively card-driven strategy that brings the Wild West to life for 3–8 players ages 8 and up.
What do reviews praise?
Strategic experimentation
Balatro asks players to make poker hands, then reshape their prospects through Jokers and other modifiers. Critics value how those systems invite experimentation rather than locking players into one approach. A modest-looking hand or card combination can become the basis for a much stronger strategy as a run develops.
Replayable runs and build variety
The changing combinations of cards and modifiers give runs room to develop differently, making it appealing to try new builds and chase higher scores. PC Gamer placed Balatro at number 8 on its 2025 list of the top 100 PC games. The publication described its deceptively simple surface as hiding “an absolute rabbit hole of roguelike strategy and wild, creative build-crafting.” That later list is an editorial ranking, not another review score or part of Metacritic’s aggregate.
Rank #2
- Fast-paced gameplay you love: Experience exciting competition as you speed to clear your Blitz pile. No turns taken; first to place cards in sequence wins!
- Perfect for family gatherings: Designed for 2 to 4 players, this game ensures fun-filled family nights and keeps both kids and adults entertained for hours.
- Easy rules for all ages: Simple yet challenging, Dutch Blitz offers effortless learning and engaging gameplay for children, teens, and adults, ages 8 and up.
- 160 colorful cards included: Enjoy endless fun with four decks of vibrant playing cards that enhance your gaming experience with their cheerful color scheme.
- Boosts strategic thinking: Dutch Blitz sharpens reflexes and strategy skills as you aim to outpace opponents in this unique and dynamic card-playing adventure.
Is Balatro difficult?
It can be. Positive reviews do not mean every run is smooth: at least one review excerpt notes “Occasional difficulty spikes aside.” The game’s escalating scoring requirements can make a run challenging, and learning how its card combinations and modifiers interact is part of the experience. The available review excerpts support a caveat about uneven difficulty, but do not establish a single difficulty level that applies to every player or run.
What kind of game is Balatro?
Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack. Steam lists its release date as February 20, 2024. Players form poker hands and combine them with Joker cards and other modifiers to meet increasingly demanding scoring targets. For the game description and release details, see Balatro on Steam.
Rank #3
- FUN FOR 2–8 PLAYERS: Designed for ages 8+ with a 30–45 minute playtime that’s ideal for families, teens, adults, and larger groups.
- BID YOUR TRICKS, PLAY YOUR CARDS: This trick-taking favorite challenges you to predict your wins each round, then use strategic card play, powerful characters, and perfect timing to hit your bid.
- QUICK TO LEARN, FUN TO MASTER: Straightforward rules welcome new players, while pirates, mermaids, and surprising twists keep experienced players coming back.
- MADE FOR PLAYING TOGETHER: Bring it to family game nights, parties, holidays, vacations, camping trips, and gatherings with friends.
- FAMILY FUN FROM GRANDPA BECK’S GAMES: Nearly 4 million games sold worldwide! Discover thoughtfully designed card games that bring families and friends together.
How to read Balatro review scores
A score is only meaningful with its context. Metacritic’s 90 is a PC critic aggregate shown on its page when checked in 2026; it is not a score for every version of the game. Review counts and aggregates can change as pages update. Compare reviews by platform and publication date, and look at what each reviewer discusses—such as learning curve, run difficulty, strategic depth and replayability—instead of treating different kinds of praise or rankings as one combined score. Metacritic’s PC critic reviews for Balatro are the source for that platform-specific aggregate and its excerpts.
PC Gamer’s 2025 top-100 placement offers a different signal: an editorial list position rather than a critic-review average. It reflects a later judgment of the game’s place among PC games, not a fresh review score. See PC Gamer’s top 100 PC games list.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 150 Jokers, each with their own unique abilities.
- 15 Decks with distinct modifiers to choose from for each run.
- 5 potential variants of each Joker which add further abilities.
- 22 Tarot cards variants that can enhance your regular playing cards.
- 11 Planet cards that help level up your possible poker hands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
