Balatro Mobile heads to iOS and Android on September 26

We’ve been dealt yet another radical, multiplying hand as a release date has been revealed for Balatro Mobile. The iOS and Android version of LocalThunk’s widely-acclaimed poker roguelike launches via the App Store, Google Play, and Apple Arcade on September 26, 2024.

Watch as Jimbo ominously introduces the new ports in the release date trailer: 

Already a hit on portable platforms like Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck — as well as PC and all other major consoles — taking Balatro on the go just makes sense. Balatro Mobile has been further tweaked to suit its new platforms, including the addition of remastered controls for touchscreen devices. 

Beyond that, the rest of Balatro Mobile appears to be exactly what it should be: Balatro. You’ve got an abundance of Jokers with special powers you can use with your decks, Campaign Mode and Challenge Mode, and the one-more-run card-dealing madness that remains an utter delight.

Jokers wild

If you’re already well-versed in Balatro, or just want some further insight into where the whole thing came from, then boy, do I have a podcast for you. The excellent Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games podcast had LocalThunk on back in April, and it’s absolutely worth a listen, whether you’re into the game itself or just love game dev chat. 

Balatro was already a brutal time vampire, doing its best to magically whittle away hours before our very eyes. With the game even more accessible to everyone, all I can recommend is that you all go ahead and kiss your free time goodbye.