[SUBS, PC, XSX, XB1] Balatro - Free with Xbox Game Pass @ Xbox

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[SUBS, PC, XSX, XB1] Balatro - Free with Xbox Game Pass @ Xbox
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Hiphopopotamus on 25/02/2025 - 06:04 xbox.com (548 clicks)
Last edited 14/03/2025 - 15:39 by 1 other user

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big.

The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.

Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds. Earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks as you progress. You’re going to need every edge you can get in order to reach the boss blind, beat the final ante and secure victory.

Balatro – Out Today on Game Pass!

This award-winning roguelike poker sensation gets a surprise Game Pass release today, but that was far from the only announcement we got. Balatro is also headed to Windows PC, and we got the fourth Friends of Jimbo collaboration update, bringing themed cards based on (deep breath) Fallout, Assassin’s Creed, Civilization VII, Rust, Slay the Princess, Bugsnax, Dead By Daylight, and YouTube channel Critical Role.

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/02/24/ign-id-xbox-showcase-…

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Each referrer can invite up to 5 friends to a free trial. Invites reset on January 1 each year.

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Comments

  • AtomuKirin on 25/02/2025 - 06:08

    PEGI 18+…..

    Addictions incoming

    • rkura on 25/02/2025 - 07:26
      +12

      PEGI 12 as of today! https://pegi.info/news/pegi-complaints-board-amends-classifi…

      • Ezuku on 25/02/2025 - 11:35
        +2

        Cheers. Great explanation of the reason it was put a 18+ and also the reason the revision was successful.

    • Caped Baldy on 25/02/2025 - 08:14
      +6

      To be fair, card games have existed for centuries if not millennia. Less harmful than lootboxes, microtransactions and social media in my view.

  • Hiphopopotamus on 25/02/2025 - 06:08
    +1

    Should go live soon. PC later.

  • conza on 25/02/2025 - 06:23

    Wow glad I waited, nice!

    • Mortgagetightass on 25/02/2025 - 07:47
      +6

      You've missed out, for $14 or whatever, it's probably one of the best and most addictive games I've ever played. Seriously good.

      • Caped Baldy on 25/02/2025 - 09:37
        +2

        The first night, I looked at the time 10pm and the next time I checked it was 2am.

    • perfectlydark on 25/02/2025 - 07:52
      +1

      same, im sure its addictive but not the sort of game i usually play and didnt want to throw some coin at. this is handy

    • botchie on 25/02/2025 - 08:15

      its a single dev, if you like it buy it
      hes done an amazing job but I can never win these kind of games :)

      • Mooncakes on 25/02/2025 - 22:23

        Devs get paid for these deals, they dont offer them up for free btw.

  • jjcf on 25/02/2025 - 07:53
    +2

    I can’t imagine wanting to play Balatro on my tv. It’s a perfect phone game.

    • botchie on 25/02/2025 - 08:16
      +2

      or switch/steam deck

    • AngusD on 25/02/2025 - 08:45
      +1

      I've been playing it on PS5 since launch and love it. I like it more than the phone version (which I also bought). I generally prefer controller to touch screen for most things. Even the Android version I prefer to play on my Retroid Pocket 5 with controls rather than on the phone.

    • formulated on 25/02/2025 - 10:50
      +1

      What? You don't want your lounge to feel like a casino?

      It's much better suited to portable play - which you could also do via streaming.

  • LostyJai on 25/02/2025 - 08:05
    +2

    Fantastic game, quite addictive.

  • Guybrush- Threepwood on 25/02/2025 - 08:35
    +2

    Is this the same as the card game in Dave the diver?

    • AngusD on 25/02/2025 - 08:45
      +4

      Dave the Diver did a crossover with it, which had a very, very cut down version of Balatro. So I guess that was kind of inspired by Balatro, but a long way from the full-fat Balatro.

    • Hinee on 25/02/2025 - 13:44
      +3

      Just wanted to jump on this comment - Dave the Diver is the best game I've played in a long time and everyone should give it a go!

      And yes, it even has a mini Balatro included :)

      • Andrew87 on 25/02/2025 - 15:36

        I am browsing OzB while waiting for DtD to update so I can begin it. Here I go!

  • Miss B on 25/02/2025 - 08:43

    Nice, now I can give it a go. I don't think it will be my thing so haven't bought it.

    • AngusD on 25/02/2025 - 08:46
      +2

      Don't do it! It will consume your life! It's too late for the rest of us but you can still be free! Run! Run for your life!

      • rhino86 on 25/02/2025 - 09:55

        Pass. We are screen addicts.

  • kalithreaver on 25/02/2025 - 08:45
    -1

    such a great game, very addicting

  • AnonyL on 25/02/2025 - 08:57
    +1

    My only gripe is that pressing the directions could be made to always move your cursor - why when you're over the far right do I need to specifically press either up or left (I forget which) rather than the button press being enough to indicate I want to move off my current selection?

    Also could be clearer with "R to buy, L to buy and use.. .but also L to sell when it's in your consumables area"

  • Pork Hunt on 25/02/2025 - 09:36
    +8

    Just finished A20 Slay the Spire after about 170 hours. Family is happy that I am now spending time with them again. Should I get this?

    • rhino86 on 25/02/2025 - 09:56

      If you wish, get it.

    • designate on 25/02/2025 - 10:01

      Since it's already free from GP, it's more like should you play this or not.

    • spicygastropod on 25/02/2025 - 10:31

      I find this more addictive than Slay the Spire.

    • AngusD on 25/02/2025 - 11:17

      Depends how much you like your family.

    • cashews on 25/02/2025 - 13:03

      Was it A20 on all characters, or just one?

  • Economic on 25/02/2025 - 10:08
    +1

    I have this on the Switch. I have just completed all 20 challenges with the "Jokerless" challenge the most frustrating and time consuming of them all.
    My family all had a sigh of relief that I emerged from the basement :)

  • colblair on 25/02/2025 - 10:41

    I bought this game a week ago and have Gamepass Ultimate - is it possible to get a refund?

  • corwee on 25/02/2025 - 11:00
    +3

    This is also on Apple Arcade if anyone prefers to subsribe to apple and play on a tablet.

  • AngusD on 25/02/2025 - 11:20
    +5

    This can also be had for "free" on PlayStation if you have PlayStation Stars points. 3,750 points.

    • Tyoson on 17/03/2025 - 23:49

      Already own this game on Android. Now have it on PC. Why am I still tempted to spend stars on the ps5 version?

      • AngusD on 18/03/2025 - 08:35
        +1

        Because those stars are just sitting around doing nothing, it's basically free! :P Plus if you've got it on your PS5 then when you're playing PS5 and get a sudden urge for Balatro, it's right there for you to play it without the inconvenience of switching to your PC!

        I've got it on PS5 and Android, but I much prefer it on PS5 due to the larger screen (my eyesight is getting worse now I'm getting old) and I like playing with controller more than touch screen (although I can play the Android version on my Retroid Pocket 5 with controls).

  • Caped Baldy on 25/02/2025 - 11:35
    +2

    Wooo, just completed a jokerless run.

    • cashews on 25/02/2025 - 13:03
      +1

      Congrats, that was by far the hardest challenge for me.

      • Caped Baldy on 25/02/2025 - 13:30
        +2

        Thanks! Same, I think it was close to 100 runs. Managed it with a four of a kind build with Aces.

  • tdm17 on 25/02/2025 - 12:16
    -1

    Wanted to play this on my phone on xcloud during my lunch break, but there's no touch controls

  • thekow on 25/02/2025 - 13:43
    +1

    Damn need ultimate i only have PCGP :(

  • Emilimu on 25/02/2025 - 19:39

    I just can’t understand how to play this game, I know how to play regular poker but couldn’t understand the rules of this game…

    • colblair on 25/02/2025 - 19:57

      At the end of each round you need to look at how you can upgrade your scoring potential - you can powerup your existing cards, buy new ones, make the different poker hands score more points and add 'jokers' which trigger under certain conditions. eg. "Add +10 to your multiplier if you play two of a kind" or "X3 to your multiplier on the final hand of the round".

      As you go on you could push as many cards as possible to a certain suit or try and get more aces - you are not limited to a standard 52 pack of cards. You may end up with more or less depending on which way you want to go.

      • NotReallyaMoneySaver on 23/03/2025 - 10:58

        Can you play this game without knowing how to play poker?

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