Balatro, a celebrated roguelike deckbuilder inspired by poker, has unexpectedly launched on Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers to Microsoft’s gaming service can now access the game at no additional charge across all supported platforms. Alongside this surprise release, a new free downloadable content (DLC) pack has been announced, introducing collaborations with popular franchises such as Fallout, Assassin’s Creed, Bugsnax, and others.
Balatro Available on Game Pass
The unanticipated announcement was made during Microsoft’s ID@Xbox indie games showcase. Balatro is now included in the Game Pass library, ready for all subscribers to enjoy. The accompanying announcement trailer unveiled the Friends of Jimbo Pack 4 DLC, offering fresh deck customization features inspired by series like Civilization 7, Rust, Dead by Daylight, and Slay the Princess, among others.
Developer LocalThunk also revealed that Balatro’s age rating has been downgraded by the PEGI ratings board from 18+ to 12+. This change followed an appeal from publisher Playstack. In a post on X, LocalThunk remarked, “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.” The developer had expressed concerns regarding Balatro’s previous 18+ classification.
After an appeal from my publisher, Balatro has been reclassified by PEGI from 18+ to 12+
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 (@LocalThunk) February 24, 2025
Balatro’s addition to Game Pass comes just over a year after its initial release across multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch, which took place on February 20, 2024. The game was subsequently made available on macOS, Android, and iOS, and it joined the Apple Arcade subscription service in September 2024.
Since its debut, the roguelike deckbuilder has emerged as a significant success, selling over five million units by January 2025. It gained notable recognition at The Game Awards 2024, securing awards in the Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game categories. The game has also released several free DLC packs featuring collaborations with acclaimed titles like Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, and Dave the Diver.
