Balatro is a masterful blend of poker mechanics, roguelike progression, and deck-building strategy, making it one of the most inventive indie games in recent years. With millions of copies sold across PC and consoles, its popularity soared high enough to prompt a rapid expansion onto Android and iOS. If you’ve yet to dive into this addictive experience, you now have an excellent chance—Balatro is included in Xbox Game Pass, meaning subscribers can play it at no additional cost.
Game Pass remains one of gaming’s best deals, even with its occasional downsides. The PC-only subscription costs $12 per month, while the Ultimate version, priced at $20 per month, grants access across PC, Xbox consoles, and cloud streaming. Many players use Game Pass tactically, subscribing for just a month when a major release drops, rather than paying full price for individual titles. This strategy has been widely used for high-budget games like Starfield and Avowed, and now, with Balatro joining the lineup, it presents a perfect opportunity to explore this indie gem.
If you prefer to own your games, Balatro is still a bargain—$15 on Steam and just $10 on mobile devices. Interestingly, many players argue that the mobile version offers the best experience, thanks to its intuitive touchscreen controls, making quick card plays and strategic decisions even more seamless. The game was already feature-complete at launch, but the developer has continued enhancing it with free updates. The latest content expansion, “Friends of Jimbo 4,” introduces new card artwork inspired by franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Bugsnax, Dead by Daylight, Fallout, Rust, and Civilization, adding an extra layer of visual flair for fans of these games.
If you’re still on the fence about trying Balatro, let this be the final nudge: over the holidays, it was installed on an iPad belonging to an elderly relative who hadn’t touched a mainstream game since Angry Birds. Weeks later, they excitedly reported hitting a 20,000-point milestone, proving that Balatro’s appeal transcends generations. Whether you’re a card game veteran or a complete newcomer, this is a game that’s well worth your time.