Balatro mobile release date: poker game is coming to iPhone and Android later this month

Balatro, one of the biggest indie success stories of the year, is coming to mobile seven months after its release on consoles and PC.

Like a seemingly endless game of poker powered by magical cards, Balatro has shifted two million copies so far. This is a massive feat for a game that started as a hobby for its developer LocalThunk.

The game has a lot of fans, among them Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker who, in a cheeky nod to its addictive nature, joked that the mobile version would lead to a collapse in global productivity.

What is Balatro Mobile’s release date?

We’ll see if he’s proven right when the game hits iOS and Android on September 26. The arrival of its mobile port was revealed in a YouTube launch video by publisher PlayStack.

Technically, the game was playable on the go, thanks to its release on Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. However, the mobile port should help to expand its reach even further.

Balatro Mobile will also be offered as part of Apple Arcade, the iPhone maker’s monthly subscription service. This provides a library of mobile games free from ads and in-app purchases.

What is Balatro?

Balatro is Poker with a twist. Players can turn the traditional rules on their heads using game-changing Joker and Tarot cards. Unlocked by buying packs with your winnings, these glittery power-ups can multiply your chips and set you on a thrilling streak.

The more games you win, the more of these cards (with cool, hand-drawn artwork) you can access.

But, that’s not the only quirk. Balatro doesn’t let you walk away with your accumulated chips. You play until you crash out and then start again...from scratch. While you can complete the game, it can take 200-300 hours, mainly because it is challenging.

“Beating” Balatro involves winning a single run by reaching and defeating the final Boss Blind in Ante 8. There are also multiple stake difficulties, with Gold Stake being the highest. Completing runs on higher ones is necessary to finish the game.

Balatro’s blend of randomised special abilities and permanent death has firmly established it as a leading light of the roguelike sub-genre.

How is Balatro Mobile different?

The game will be largely the same on mobile, apart from a few tweaks designed to make it play better on iPhone and Android.

The most noticeable change is the introduction of touch controls optimised for smartphones. Players will be able to swipe and tap on cards, which should make the gameplay feel more intuitive on smaller screens.

The game will be called "Balatro+" on Apple Arcade but is essentially the same as the regular mobile version.