Apple Arcade added a big new title today. Balatro+ is now available for Arcade users, bringing the addictive card game to a new audience across all of Apple’s platforms. Here’s what you should know.
New Arcade title combines poker, solitaire, and deck-building
Balatro had a big console and PC launch earlier this year, earning it an early reputation as one of the best and most addictive titles of 2024.
It has never previously been available on iOS or Android, however, until today.
Balatro+ is the Apple Arcade version of the game, but non-subscribers can alternately download the standard Balatro for a $9.99 one-time purchase.
Here’s the game description from Apple’s press release:
This hypnotically satisfying poker-inspired roguelike deck builder was created by solo developer LocalThunk and published by Playstack. Players combine poker hands with joker cards, each with their own unique abilities, to create varied synergies and builds. The goal is to earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks. Reach the boss blind, beat the final ante, and secure victory in Balatro+’s distinctive psychedelic world, all set to a dreamy and retro-futuristic synthwave soundtrack.
You can play Balatro+ across Apple’s entire line of devices, including:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Mac
- Apple TV
- and even Vision Pro
Game controllers are supported by Balatro+, but it also works extremely well with touch controls on compatible devices.
Rave reviews for Balatro
Still not sold? Here’s a selection of quotes from reviews of the PC version of Balatro:
- ”If this was preinstalled with Windows in lieu of Microsoft’s mandatory, productivity-wrecking Solitaire back in the 90s, modern civilization as we know it could have very well ground to a halt.” (link)
- ”Balatro is an astonishingly addictive take on Poker that’s utterly impossible to put down” (link)
- ”Balatro is an ingenious and entertaining roguelike and one of my favorite games of the year. Playing it has become a near-obsession; everything feels perfectly designed to encourage you to keep trying because that next run could be the run of your life.” (link)
- ”No two games of Balatro are ever the same, which is only one of the reasons why we love this poker roguelike so much.” (link)
For a full overview of what’s available and recently added for Apple Arcade, check out our comprehensive guide.
Are you excited about Balatro+? Have you played the game before? Let us know in the comments.
Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
