Summary
- Balatro, one of 2024’s best games, is now on Xbox Game Pass.
- Balatro was added to Game Pass with no prior announcement.
- The game has also received its fourth Friends of Jimbo update.
Balatro, widely considered one of the best new game releases of 2024, has been added to Xbox Game Pass in a surprise update for the subscription service. Microsoft typically announces new Xbox Game Pass additions well in advance, but the company has been known to shadow drop games on the service from time to time as well.
One of the most famous examples of an Xbox Game Pass shadow drop came at the beginning of 2023 when Hi-Fi Rush was shadow dropped for the service. More recently, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was shadow dropped for Game Pass. Now yet another game has been added to Xbox Game Pass with no prior announcement, and it’s one of the highest-rated games of 2024.
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Beloved roguelike card game Balatro is now available on Xbox Game Pass. Balatro, for those unfamiliar, combines elements of poker, roguelikes, and deckbuilder games together to create one of the most addicting new game releases in years. Balatro exploded in popularity last year, selling millions of copies and earning rave reviews from fans and critics alike. With an impressive 92 overall rating, Balatro is one of the highest-rated video games ever released and was certainly one of the top-rated games of 2024. Being able to play Balatro through Xbox Game Pass is huge, giving subscribers the chance to experience one of 2024’s best games without paying anything beyond what they already pay for their subscription.
Balatro is Now on Xbox Game Pass
Not only is Balatro now on Xbox Game Pass, but its debut on the service coincides with the release of the latest Friends of Jimbo update. Friends of Jimbo updates see special themed cards added to Balatro that are based on other franchises. The newest Friends of Jimbo update will be adding cards based on Friday the 13th, Civilization, Assassin’s Creed, Bugsnax, Slay the Princess, Fallout, Slay the Princess, and more. The new Friends of Jimbo update should be available to Balatro players across all platforms, not just those checking out the new Xbox Game Pass release.
Balatro had an incredible 2024. Not only did it sell millions of copies, but the game also found itself nominated for multiple awards at The Game Awards 2024, including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game, winning the latter three. Balatro‘s Xbox Game Pass debut should ensure that the game reaches an even larger audience in 2025.
Strategy
Digital Card Game
Roguelike
- Released
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February 20, 2024
- ESRB
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E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
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LocalThunk
- Publisher(s)
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Playstack