The Unlikely Rise of Balatro: A Steam Deck Sensation

The world of handheld gaming has a new champion, and its name is Balatro. This poker-themed roguelike has taken the Steam Deck by storm, becoming one of the most-played games on the platform alongside giants like Elden Ring and Stardew Valley. But what makes Balatro so addictive, and how did it almost never make it to the Steam Deck in the first place?

A Near Miss

Balatro’s creator, LocalThunk, revealed on social media that they almost didn’t bother optimizing the game for the Steam Deck. In fact, they only decided to invest in a Steam Deck six months before the game’s release to better develop the game for the platform. That investment has paid off in a big way, with Balatro now sitting comfortably in the top three most-played games on the Steam Deck.

“6 months before Balatro went public I barely convinced myself to spend the money and buy a Steam Deck to better develop the game for the platform,” LocalThunk tweets. “Turns out that was a pretty good investment, unreal to be so high on this list.”

A Recipe for Success

So, what makes Balatro so perfect for the Steam Deck? For starters, its card-based gameplay is deceptively simple yet fiendishly addictive. Players can easily sink hours into the game, chasing big numbers and whispering “just one more game” to themselves. The game’s portability is also a major factor, making it the perfect companion for lunch breaks and sleepless nights.

Gaming on the go has never been easier

A Productivity Killer

Balatro’s success is not limited to the Steam Deck, however. The game has already sold over one million copies, a far cry from the 10 copies LocalThunk expected to sell before returning to their IT job. And with a mobile release on the horizon, it’s clear that Balatro’s rampage is far from over.

The future of gaming is mobile

Get Ready to Dive In

If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to dive into the world of Balatro. The game is currently 10% off as part of the Steam Summer Sale, which also features massive discounts on other great games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and American Truck Simulator.

Snag some great deals on amazing games

For more on the best roguelike games, check out our other articles.