Balatro’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to its five nominations at The Game Awards 2024, resulting in an impressive boost in sales. In just a week post-announcement, the indie poker roguelike raked in over $700,000. Debuting in February for PC and consoles, it later ventured into the mobile market in September, amassing close to $4.4 million on iOS and Android.
Upon its 2024 release, Balatro quickly captivated the gaming community with its dynamic and accessible gameplay. Crafted by the solo developer LocalThunk, the game challenges players to form poker hands with the aim of meeting point targets, alongside utilizing an array of over 150 unique Joker cards that bring special abilities and point multipliers into play. It’s a breeze to pick up whether you have a few spare moments or are in for a longer session. As 2024 draws to a close, Balatro isn’t just racking up sales but also award nominations, solidifying its position in the gaming sphere.
Balatro’s journey through the mobile platform has been nothing short of remarkable. Reporting from PocketGamer suggests nearly $4.4 million in earnings since its September 26 mobile release, with a notable $1 million in its first week alone across Android and iOS. The recent nominations for The Game Awards, announced on November 18, fueled its momentum even further, bringing in $727,000 in just one week. The game competes for titles including Best Game Direction, Best Mobile Game, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and most notably, Game of the Year. It’s vying against titans like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Black Myth: Wukong. Tune in on December 12 to see if LocalThunk’s indie sensation clinches the top spot.
Since its debut, Balatro has embraced significant enhancements. A notable update in May introduced additional Joker cards as well as the Perishable and Rental Joker mechanics. Collaborations have been another feather in its cap, allowing “Friends of Jimbo” updates that let players enrich their decks with faces from familiar games. Options like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, The Binding of Isaac, Vampire Survivors, Slay the Spire, Dave the Diver, and Stardew Valley are already a part of this exciting feature, and more collaborations are on the horizon according to LocalThunk.
Looking ahead to 2025, Balatro is all set for its first major update, although details remain under wraps. LocalThunk has hinted that this complimentary update will offer fresh strategies and concepts as a “token” of appreciation for the game’s dedicated community. By August 2024, Balatro had already surpassed 2 million copies sold, with no signs of slowing its incredible march forward.
