Balatro, the award-winning poker-inspired roguelike deckbuilder, has gotten a shock launch on Xbox Game Pass. The recreation is out now on Microsoft’s recreation subscription service, obtainable at no further price to Game Pass subscribers throughout supported platforms. Additionally, Balatro can also be getting a brand new free DLC that brings extra collaborations with different video games like Fallout, Assassin’s Creed, Bugsnax, and extra.
Balatro Now on Game Pass
The shock announcement got here as a part of Microsoft’s ID@Xbox indie video games showcase. Balatro has been added to the Game Pass library and is playable now to all subscribers. The announcement trailer additionally confirmed Friends of Jimbo Pack 4 DLC with new deck customisation choices from franchises like Fallout, Assassin’s Creed, Bugsnax, Civilization 7, Rust, Dead by Daylight, Slay the Princess and extra.
Developer LocalThunk additionally introduced that Balatro had been reclassified by scores company PEGI from 18+ to 12+ following an attraction from writer Playstack. “This is a good step from PEGI – bringing nuance to their ratings criteria that used to be 18+ or nothing. I hope this change will allow developers to create without being unfairly punished,” LocalThunk stated in a publish on X Monday. The developer had beforehand bemoaned Balatro’s 18+ ranking.
After an attraction from my writer, Balatro has been reclassified by PEGI from 18+ to 12+
This is an effective step from PEGI – bringing nuance to their scores standards that was once 18+ or nothing. I hope this modification will enable builders to create with out being unfairly punished
— localthunk (@LocalThunk) February 24, 2025
Balatro’s addition to Game Pass comes simply over a 12 months after it was launched on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and Nintendo Switch on February 20, 2024. The deckbuilder was later made obtainable on macOS, Android and iOS. Balatro was additionally added to Apple Arcade subscription service in September 2024.
The roguelike deckbuilder turned the breakout hit of 2024, promoting over 5 million items as of January 2025. It additionally gained massive at The Game Awards 2024, taking residence trophies within the Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game and Best Mobile Game classes. Since its launch, the sport has launched a number of free DLCs that includes collaborations with well-liked video games like Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, Dave the Diver, and extra.
