The gaming world is watching the fallout of yet another milestone from Balatro. The critically acclaimed poker-roguelike games has officially launched on iOS and Android platforms, after its incredible sales and feedback on Steam. With a primary audience towards those who play at Australian online casinos, the card game is reaching even the most unlikely of players all around the world.
What is Balatro?
Originally released on PC in February 2024, the indie game quickly became a hit. At a time when online casinos in Australia are becoming more mainstream, this non-gambling card game, which is rooted in casino culture, has attracted both casino goers and ordinary gamers.
When looking at the best Australian online casino games, although most are slots, the most played games are typically blackjack and poker – just like in normal casinos. Well, Balatro has revolutionised typical poker mechanics with roguelike elements. Some say it’s a blend of poker and solitaire.
The single-player adventure is where players build increasingly powerful hands using special modifier cards called Jokers. The game’s meteoric rise to success is evident in its impressive sales figures, surpassing two million copies sold within its first month of PC release. Even during the typical dips during Australian evening hours, the game still rarely goes below 9000 players online at any given time.
The game has a genius blend of accessibility and depth. Players familiar with poker will immediately grasp the basic concepts, but the introduction of over 200 unique Joker cards adds genuine novelty, making each run through Balatro feel distinct.
Mobile platform transition
Balatro made its highly anticipated mobile debut on September 26, bringing its gameplay to iOS and Android platforms. The mobile version launched at a competitive price point of $15 in Australia, making it less expensive than its PC counterpart. The game also joined Apple Arcade’s subscription service, offering an ad-free experience under the name “Balatro+”.
The transition from PC is usually tough, but it’s proven successful so far. This preservation of quality is reflected in its positive reviews, as it has kept its functionality and ease of playing similar to PC.
There are a few thoughtful adaptations, specifically those surrounding the use of touchscreen devices. Instead of traditional button interfaces, the game implements an intuitive drag-and-drop system for card management. Players can press and hold cards to review their effects and drag them to specific zones for different actions, so it’s a fairly natural touch experience.
User reception
Balatro’s mobile launch, just like Steam’s own transition, has proven to be an extraordinary success, particularly for a low-budget indie game. The game soon sold over half a million US dollars worth in just five days after launch. The US actually made up over half this revenue, which is no surprise, but it didn’t take long for the hype to reach Australia.
The mobile version has outperformed some serious giants like Minecraft. The low price point mixed with the game mechanics has clearly struck a chord.
Conclusion
The successful launch of Balatro, both on PC and later mobile, shows that gaming isn’t in a lull right now, like some claim. Sure, Australian online casinos are going strong (they always are), but video games – and, this unique genre-blend in between the two – also remain popular heading into 2025. We can expect a loyal user base to be built around this game, and some people to use it as a stepping stone into the casino – and vice versa.
