Last updated: March 12, 2026

Balatro — Roguelike by LocalThunk
Trending

Balatro — Is It Worth Playing in 2026?

11,753 players at 24-hour peak
PC (Steam) Roguelike $11.99 Very Positive Card GameRoguelikeRoguelike Deckbuilder

Why Balatro Is Trending Right Now

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.

Key Stats

24h Peak Players
11,753
Review Score
98% Positive
Price
$11.99
Released
Feb 20, 2024
Developer
LocalThunk
Reviews
Very Positive (90%)

With 11,753 players at 24-hour peak, Balatro is one of Steam's most-played Roguelike games this week. 98% of 114,403 players recommend it.

What the Community Is Saying

98%
Overwhelmingly Positive
149,026 Steam reviews
Positive
98%
Negative
2%

Players rate Balatro Overwhelmingly Positive based on 149,026 Steam reviews. With 98% positive reviews, the community response is clear.

👍 Recommended 61h played

Peak game. Please add progress compatibility with other platforms, i.e. mobile

👍 Recommended 104h played

One of the greatest games of all time, highly recommend to anyone who might be on the fence about playing it. I know it might be a risk to just take my word for it, but isn't that what poker is all about?

👍 Recommended 127h played

If you want to know how it feels to be mistreated, and wonder why you still go back everytime. this is the game for you! 10/10

👍 Recommended 172h played

Sucks you in like a black hole, but unlike being sucked into an actual black hole, it is very enjoyable. Just beware of the event horizon, when you go past it, there is no coming back.

👍 Recommended 333h played

im good at this game because of youtuber balatro university thank you youtuber balatro university I now have c++

Should You Play It? Pros & Cons

✅ Reasons to Play

  • Outstanding player reception — 90% positive reviews
  • Great solo experience — no need to rely on others
  • Deep replayability — every run feels different

❌ Things to Consider

  • Paid title at $11.99 — try a demo or wishlist first
  • Steep difficulty curve — not for casual play

Should You Play Balatro?

Balatro holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 98% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts an impressive peak of 11,753 concurrent players, showing strong player retention for a Roguelike title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.

Balatro is reasonably priced at $11.99 on Steam, developed by LocalThunk. Fans of roguelike games who enjoy high replayability and procedural challenge will feel right at home. If you like games such as Hades, Dead Cells, or Slay the Spire, Balatro is worth adding to your wishlist.

Should You Play Balatro?

Balatro holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 98% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts an impressive peak of 11,753 concurrent players, showing strong player retention for a game title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.

Balatro is reasonably priced at $11.99 on Steam, developed by LocalThunk. Players who enjoy the game genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find Balatro worth checking out.

Common Questions About Balatro

Is Balatro worth playing?

Balatro has Very Positive reviews on Steam. 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. At $11.99, it's well-regarded by players and worth picking up.

How much does Balatro cost?

Balatro costs $11.99 on Steam. Prices may vary by region and during sales.

What kind of game is Balatro?

Balatro is a Roguelike game by LocalThunk, available on PC via Steam. Community tags: Card Game, Roguelike, Roguelike Deckbuilder, Deckbuilding, Singleplayer.

Who made Balatro?

Balatro was developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack. Released Feb 20, 2024.

Is it free to play?

Balatro is a paid game on Steam. Check the Steam store page for current pricing and any active discounts.

How many people play Balatro?

Player counts for Balatro vary. It appears in TrendingGames.gg's top-1000 tracked games, indicating active Steam followers and community interest.