Balatro, the critically acclaimed poker roguelike from indie developer LocalThunk, has released an enhanced Switch 2 edition, arriving on the Nintendo Switch eShop with significant upgrades.
Originally launching to rave reviews — Nintendo Life awarded the game a perfect 10/10 and praised it as "utterly sublime" — Balatro has quickly found a dedicated fanbase among strategic card game enthusiasts worldwide. Now available for download, the Balatro Switch 2 edition retails for £12.79 in the UK and $14.99 in the US, with a limited-time North American promotion dropping the price to $11.99.
In an industry-friendly move, LocalThunk is also offering the Switch 2 edition as a free upgrade for existing owners of the original Switch base game, making it an appealing update for returning players. While Nintendo’s eShop listing provides limited specifics about technical enhancements, initial impressions from players confirm several meaningful improvements.
The new edition runs at a smooth 60 frames-per-second, offering a noticeably more fluid gameplay experience.
Other major additions include HD Rumble 2, delivering deeper haptic feedback, and the introduction of Mouse Mode, which allows for rapid card selection — a highly requested feature that streamlines the game’s signature deck-building and poker mechanics. One drawback currently noted by early adopters is the absence of a data transfer feature between the original Switch version and the Switch 2 edition.
Players who have built up progress in the first release should be aware that saved data does not automatically migrate to the upgraded edition—a point acknowledged by members of the Nintendo Life team, who continue to investigate potential workarounds. Released earlier in 2024, Balatro quickly established itself as a standout title in the roguelike genre, earning accolades for its captivating gameplay and rewarding deck-building depth.
LocalThunk, the independent studio behind the game, has solidified its reputation with this latest update, ensuring Balatro remains at the forefront of innovative indie offerings on Nintendo’s platform. With the enhanced Switch 2 edition now live on the Nintendo Switch eShop, both new and returning players have compelling reasons to revisit Balatro’s addictive blend of strategy and chance.
For those seeking the ultimate card-based roguelike experience, Balatro continues to raise the stakes on Nintendo Switch.
Originally launching to rave reviews — Nintendo Life awarded the game a perfect 10/10 and praised it as "utterly sublime" — Balatro has quickly found a dedicated fanbase among strategic card game enthusiasts worldwide. Now available for download, the Balatro Switch 2 edition retails for £12.79 in the UK and $14.99 in the US, with a limited-time North American promotion dropping the price to $11.99.
In an industry-friendly move, LocalThunk is also offering the Switch 2 edition as a free upgrade for existing owners of the original Switch base game, making it an appealing update for returning players. While Nintendo’s eShop listing provides limited specifics about technical enhancements, initial impressions from players confirm several meaningful improvements.
The new edition runs at a smooth 60 frames-per-second, offering a noticeably more fluid gameplay experience.
Other major additions include HD Rumble 2, delivering deeper haptic feedback, and the introduction of Mouse Mode, which allows for rapid card selection — a highly requested feature that streamlines the game’s signature deck-building and poker mechanics. One drawback currently noted by early adopters is the absence of a data transfer feature between the original Switch version and the Switch 2 edition.
Players who have built up progress in the first release should be aware that saved data does not automatically migrate to the upgraded edition—a point acknowledged by members of the Nintendo Life team, who continue to investigate potential workarounds. Released earlier in 2024, Balatro quickly established itself as a standout title in the roguelike genre, earning accolades for its captivating gameplay and rewarding deck-building depth.
LocalThunk, the independent studio behind the game, has solidified its reputation with this latest update, ensuring Balatro remains at the forefront of innovative indie offerings on Nintendo’s platform. With the enhanced Switch 2 edition now live on the Nintendo Switch eShop, both new and returning players have compelling reasons to revisit Balatro’s addictive blend of strategy and chance.
For those seeking the ultimate card-based roguelike experience, Balatro continues to raise the stakes on Nintendo Switch.
