Balatro Launches on Nintendo Switch 2 eShop with Free Upgrade and Enhanced Features
Balatro, the acclaimed roguelike deck builder that made waves in 2024, is now officially available on the Nintendo Switch 2 through the Nintendo eShop.
Developed for fans of strategic card play, Balatro’s original Switch port charmed deck-building enthusiasts earlier this year with its inventive mechanics and replayability.
Now, the Nintendo Switch 2 version brings technical enhancements that aim to deliver a smoother and more immersive experience for both returning and new players. The Switch 2 release of Balatro is available free of charge for those who previously purchased the title digitally on the original Switch via the Nintendo eShop.
This upgrade delivers several notable improvements, including support for higher resolution output, mouse input compatibility, and, crucially for many fans, a stable 60 frames-per-second gameplay experience.
Previously, the original Switch version did not offer 60 fps support—a feature not essential for game mechanics but valued by those seeking optimal responsiveness and visual clarity. However, as widely reported by the community, including multiple discussions on Reddit, this release is technically a separate application on the Nintendo Switch 2.
As a result, save data from the original Switch version does not automatically transfer to the new platform.
This means progress, unlocks, and completion milestones achieved in Balatro on the original hardware will not carry over to the Switch 2 version.
While some players may find this to be a significant drawback, especially given Balatro’s notoriously challenging 100% completion requirements, this limitation is expected to be addressed with future updates aimed at enabling save file compatibility. For those eager to experience Balatro on Switch 2, the enhanced version is priced at $15 in the US Nintendo eShop, with comparable pricing available in other regions—including CHF 13.43 on the German eShop for European players.
Notably, the game remains free to download on Switch 2 for owners of the original digital Switch release, softening the transition for dedicated fans upgrading their hardware. Balatro has been recognized by outlets such as Nintendo Wire as one of the top games of 2024, further cementing its place in the roguelike deck builder genre.
Since its initial launch, the game has received acclaim for its engaging gameplay loop and challenging objectives, with the Switch 2 upgrade aligning with Nintendo’s continued commitment to backwards compatibility and enhanced user experiences on its latest hardware. As the developer and Nintendo continue to refine the Balatro experience on Switch 2, players can look forward to further technical updates and, potentially, more seamless migration of saved progress in future releases.
For now, anyone ready for a fresh deck-building challenge—or a visually upgraded return to the table—will find plenty to explore in Balatro’s latest reincarnation on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Developed for fans of strategic card play, Balatro’s original Switch port charmed deck-building enthusiasts earlier this year with its inventive mechanics and replayability.
Now, the Nintendo Switch 2 version brings technical enhancements that aim to deliver a smoother and more immersive experience for both returning and new players. The Switch 2 release of Balatro is available free of charge for those who previously purchased the title digitally on the original Switch via the Nintendo eShop.
This upgrade delivers several notable improvements, including support for higher resolution output, mouse input compatibility, and, crucially for many fans, a stable 60 frames-per-second gameplay experience.
Previously, the original Switch version did not offer 60 fps support—a feature not essential for game mechanics but valued by those seeking optimal responsiveness and visual clarity. However, as widely reported by the community, including multiple discussions on Reddit, this release is technically a separate application on the Nintendo Switch 2.
As a result, save data from the original Switch version does not automatically transfer to the new platform.
This means progress, unlocks, and completion milestones achieved in Balatro on the original hardware will not carry over to the Switch 2 version.
While some players may find this to be a significant drawback, especially given Balatro’s notoriously challenging 100% completion requirements, this limitation is expected to be addressed with future updates aimed at enabling save file compatibility. For those eager to experience Balatro on Switch 2, the enhanced version is priced at $15 in the US Nintendo eShop, with comparable pricing available in other regions—including CHF 13.43 on the German eShop for European players.
Notably, the game remains free to download on Switch 2 for owners of the original digital Switch release, softening the transition for dedicated fans upgrading their hardware. Balatro has been recognized by outlets such as Nintendo Wire as one of the top games of 2024, further cementing its place in the roguelike deck builder genre.
Since its initial launch, the game has received acclaim for its engaging gameplay loop and challenging objectives, with the Switch 2 upgrade aligning with Nintendo’s continued commitment to backwards compatibility and enhanced user experiences on its latest hardware. As the developer and Nintendo continue to refine the Balatro experience on Switch 2, players can look forward to further technical updates and, potentially, more seamless migration of saved progress in future releases.
For now, anyone ready for a fresh deck-building challenge—or a visually upgraded return to the table—will find plenty to explore in Balatro’s latest reincarnation on the Nintendo Switch 2.
