Balatro Is Really Worth Trying On Nintendo Switch | Review

[@SwitchUpYt]

Have you already played this one? If so, most addictive game of 2024 for you? Looking for eshop credit? Get OFFICIAL Nintendo Eshop Cards and other bits and bobs, at our new website and online store here - switchup.gg/ - Earn 5% cashback in points that you can redeem against future purchases. If you are a physical collector looking to import, you can use code "SWITCHUP24" to save 5% at PlayAsia www.play-asia.com Save 10% on Red Art Physical releases like this one by using code SwitchUp at: www.redartgames.com/15-nintendo-switch Save on the Premium Edition games using our link shorturl.at/tuzKQ Happy gaming! Glen

[@arios6443]

A tip for brand new players: you can unlock some incredible Jokers by doing unusual things. If you ever get a Royal Flush, discard for one of the best Jokers in the game.

[@sonicplys64]

Balatro is my current 2024 GOTY. I'm not kidding, this game is pure genius.

[@NormanCampbell]

Once you beat the Big Boss Ante 8, you have another 14 different decks with different inbuilt buffs and then beat them again a few more times with more challenges attached. Finally beaten the black deck and that took flippin' ages. GOTY/D/C contender for sure!

[@kknows1445]

Bought this game because i heard nothing but glowing reviews about it. I know absolutely nothing about poker and have never played it, but man this game has its hooks into me. I cant put it down! 😅

[@RafidW9]

It's a game I have to play daily. Probably the best roguelike game I've played.

[@TinyFord1]

Have you played hades? My favourite one I can recommend

[@RafidW9]

@@TinyFord1 yup I have played Hades. I really liked it.

[@DonovanGG__]

@@TinyFord1loved hades but Balatro gameplay loop is impeccable

[@ppbunt]

Absolutely spot-on review, gg! I’d say Balatro is this years Vampire Survivors in terms of addictiveness.

[@DylanHunter64]

Once you beat the 8th ante, you won't want to stop. Trying the new decks is a blast and winning with them unlocks new difficulties and even more new decks. Incredibly addictive

[@SiobhanR28]

I'm scared to try this. It might take over my life 😂

[@SwitchUpYt]

Well worth your time. Mark

[@SpeciffficOcean4738]

So happy that you decided to give this a late review! I was one of the people who mentioned it in the comments, and this is why Switch Up is one of the best channels out there, engages with the community and makes great content. This game is pure addictive craziness, and agree it's a quiet contender for GOTY

[@gt3racer2187]

I love this game. Put a good 85 hours in and unlocked everything. I haven't gotten to try the new balance patch yet, but having read what was changed, they seem to have largely made a lot of the higher stakes difficulties better. If I had any complaint with the game at all, beating the higher difficulties often felt like you needed to play a very specific way to win. With the changes made to the higher stake difficulties and the rebalancing of certain cards, I no longer think this will necessarily be the case.

[@nicked_fenyx]

So glad to see this get a full review. Balatro is one of those games that people scoff about hearing mentioned as a GOTY contender... until they play it. And keep on playing it. And cannot stop playing it. Seriously, this game is great. It's frequently described as "Slay the Spire meets poker," yet I've heard from a lot of people who struggled to get into Slay the Spire who love Balatro, as well as people who never play poker but find this incredibly addictive. Somehow Balatro manages to be more than the sum of its parts. Personally, I love both StS and poker, so it's no surprise Balatro got its hooks into me pretty quickly. I'd also share a tip for any new players that's often overlooked early on: the order of your jokers matters. They activate from left to right, so place "additive" jokers before "multipliers." For example, if a joker adds a flat number of chips to your score, place it towards the left. If a joker multiplies your overall score, put it on the right. The bigger the multiplier, the farther right you want it. This is a game changer, and was the tip that finally gave me my first win. I'm now working on unlocking the final few decks and trying to get wins with each. Lots of playtime here, and all for less than $20. What a game.

[@InnerRise]

See. Seeing clips of this game has done nothing for me as I don't know how to play poker. All looks regular and bland. But slay the Spire is my favorite game on switch, so seeing you say that, I'm intrigued to see if this review can change my mind. I've only seen clips. No reviews.

[@nicked_fenyx]

@@InnerRise Ah, if Slay the Spire is your favorite game on Switch, you owe it to yourself to give Balatro a try. You don't really need to know much about poker. Just the types of hands you can make and which ones start out better than others. Thankfully the game has a handy popup menu with all that info in an easy-to-understand format, which you can view at any time by pushing the "minus" button. If you do decide to give the game a go and have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Just reply to me on here and I'll give it my best shot. 🙂🃏🎰

[@SallyMangos]

@@InnerRise I've played around 80 hours of this game with constant wins and I still haven't a clue how to play poker.

[@InnerRise]

@@nicked_fenyx I watched the review and I'm still like......meh. I'll just commit to trying it and seeing what happens. I've had similar experiences with games like Deadcells (had never played a rogue game) then I played it and liked it.

[@InnerRise]

@@SallyMangos I actually use to plat Yahtzee as a kid so that might help me refamiliarize myself with the terms/hands. I believe they use the same.

[@bkillinm]

This is the perfect game to play in bed on a switch lite. I have lost at least 20 hours to this game already and it didn’t feel that way at all

[@Nintendaddy]

This made me think of my favourite game sound effects and I was reminiscing with myself of the Battlefield One headshot noise and EVERY SINGLE NOISE in Wildfrost!

[@aaronbaker-leask3807]

Can I just say that I've put over 60 hours into this game. I'm glad you have got round to doing this review for others. It's absolutely spot on even down to a boss destroying your run, but this is what it makes it so addictive in terms of going back for more. The only thing you missed out was the challenges you can you unlock as well during the game which extend the games replayability.

[@meamoallison]

I play Balatro like its my job 😂 I love it so much. Definitely game of the year material

[@Khunal1]

Bought this on pc and then on switch. Great game.

[@alx.burgir]

I thought it was too simple when I watched some gameplay on KZbin. But I got it on sale last week and it‘s so good!

[@jemmadavies3226]

Not sure this is for me, but after watching this I’m going to give it a go!!

[@SwitchUpYt]

I thought the same... But wow. Mark

[@Joehamer8]

Great review. Seen this on a few channels but your reviews are always so straightforward and relatable.

[@baitmate6414]

I got this after your sale video and I’m now hooked

[@Mr.Vetkoek]

Damn that was a well writen and really informative Review! Thank you Glen, I appreciate it!

[@SwitchUpYt]

Thanks mate!

[@martintomson8322]

The one review on this game I was waiting for! Thx for covering!

[@jess2109]

I've been going back and forth on giving this game a try since I first heard about it. I love card and board games but haven't had much luck finding a video game version of these that really grabs me for long.

[@SwitchUpYt]

I had no interest in it at all... Until Glen showed me it the other day ...goodness me have I played a lot since then. Mark

[@jess2109]

@@SwitchUpYt You guys have never steered me wrong, so maybe this is the signal that I needed to finally get it😂

[@WiiFan20XX]

This game is so amazing. By far one of my favorite rougelites

[@laramontz]

Thank you for this review! I’m 65 hours in, 30% complete, and it’s seriously highs and lows (in a good way) - the satisfaction of winning the final ante, and the devastation of losing by a few points 🥲 Definitely see myself being addicted for a looong time!

[@marcogirard5337]

Most complete review I've seen about this game. Great review as usual 👏

[@Charlie-qc6su]

I wish this game had more freedom. there's only really 3 kinds of hands that make sense to play: Full house, flushes, and straights.

[@SwitchUpYt]

I've found if you power up pairs or 2 pair with planet cards or jokers, they can become way more effective than some of the 'better' hands. Glen

[@goatlegs3]

The most addictive game I’ve ever played

[@mydemon]

Wooohoooo!! Love Balatro! Thanks for the review!!

[@springer1786]

It has hooked me so far, been playing for a few weeks and still not beaten a run! Got within 250 chips on my first attempt at the final boss blind which was really frustrating but it still leaves me wanting to have another go every time.

[@NYRAD02]

What a great Start to the week and thanks for reviewing this heard you mention it so often ❤

[@sevensyns7732]

Very interesting. I had heard of the game, but now I know what it's all about.

[@Nedwig747]

My friends have been banging on about this one for quite some time, but I didn't really understand the appeal. After watching the video I get it! Thanks Glen!

[@Leadbullproductions]

I'm glad you mentioned play length time.

[@UndeadEggmiester]

I know that I'll have to pick it up st some point because of how loved it is

[@Existing_Echo]

It’s probably obvious but Zelda totk has taken me captive, I’m 170 hours in and I still see no end!

[@Ghoulia.Roberts]

I finally finished the main story and walked away at 335 hours. Good Lord.

[@Existing_Echo]

@@Ghoulia.RobertsGoodness! I definitely see a few hundred more hours ahead of me 😅🍻

[@elophostia]

​@@Ghoulia.Robertswhat's next? Kingdom Come Deliverance?

[@Ghoulia.Roberts]

@@elophostia Ha, most likely not! I also have a PS5 but I never had the 4 or even the 3 so I'm way behind, I'm just playing catch up with Sony at the moment. 😅

[@Openreality]

Yep i played it months agnosium and finally decided to put it down. I'm playing through Arceus again and am enjoying it. I'm also playing another crab's treasure as well

[@CyberTrump-co1ml]

I really want a physical complete version.

[@nirvana328]

i just started playing this game and your explanation of how to play the game was perfect! thanks for this great review, awesome game, I cant recommend it enough for anyone that has even the slightest interest in card games *chefs kiss* 😘

[@Ser-Smiley]

I need to try this game someday for sure. 😋

[@saurabhtantry5550]

I haven't played any other rogue-like deck building games, but given that I didn't like strategy games such as Starcraft and Mario & Rabbids: Sparks of hope as both of them were too hard for me, but I loved Hades, do you think I'd like Balatro?

[@jdpsycho]

Hmmmm... I never really tried games like Poker. Maybe I'll try it out

[@supercommando440]

Are there any stats, or wins/loss records? A profile? Is it soloable? Different decks? Whats are the collectables? STATS would add a lot of incentive/replay for me.

[@grahamwalker2168]

Just one with my yellow deck on white chip and loving it!

[@ty_sylicus]

Glad this is on the Switch now so I can see what all the hubbub is about.

[@ChipHazard316]

Decent on console but can crash but amazing on pc cause it already has quite a good number of mods already if you can get it there I’d suggest that. Not only is it ahead with experimental patches but it also doesn’t crash when trying to hold a lot of consumables or when you got a deck of 100+ cards. I have played it on both pc and PS5. Pretty sure you don’t need anything powerful either because I play it on a laptop.

[@fredbk6858]

Balatro is a masterpiece

[@grahamwalker2168]

You called it bal-uh-tro! ❤🎉❤

[@Nicktendo_64]

I've put in 80 hours to unlock everything. So far it's my GOTY 💯

[@juancimino296]

Diablo 3 is still the game I play the most, over 400 hours and I still come back for every new season

[@fangorn875]

Oooh I like Slay the Spire...so I will put this game in my wishlist 😊

[@navyhusky2020]

The RNG aspects of this game don't come across as a negative to me since this game is modeled after poker. One of the oldest-known RNG games lol

[@jean-francoisrioux847]

For me it's unicorn overlord yet. Goty.

[@ScottW967]

I don’t know how to play poker! Is there a tutorial in-game for noobs like me?

[@zockeromi1970]

definitely a great game

[@insipid.dreams8968]

I bought this because of your review. What have we done 😅

[@damien576]

Littlewood

[@michaelwalker8250]

To review this game better to the audience you must try to teach those of us who have no idea what chips, jokers and all that poker talk is what the basics are so we can kind of get what the hell is going on. Even the game itself doesn't really teach anything to those new to poker. I'll still keep it on my phone via Yuzu, though, so maybe one day.

[@SwitchUpYt]

I'd say the game does a good enough job of what chips and jokers are in the context of their use here. The tutorial mentions that chips are the currency you'll earn and are needed to beat each encounter and that the jokers are cards which grant you perks. Says it all perfectly. I'd agree that it doesn't help as much as it could with what each hand of poker actually is though. Glen

[@MrJimithee]

I LOVE playing poker, but I've never found a satisfying console version... How do you program bluffing? That's the only way I EVER win, God knows it's not the trash I get dealt...grumblegrumble...

[@SwitchUpYt]

Haha. My favourite digital poker game was Vegas Stakes on the Super Nintendo. Played that so much as a kid. Glen

[@nicked_fenyx]

I love poker as well, and agree we don't really have a great console version. I will say Balatro does a better job scratching the poker itch than most console poker games. Ironically, it's not even based on poker. The dev has said it's based on a mixture of Luck Be A Landlord and a Cantonese card game that's somewhat similar to poker, called "Big Two." I think the reason Balatro scratches the poker itch so well is that it includes poker hands and, while you cannot bluff, the game gives you loads of ways to "cheat" by changing up your deck. Which kind of feels similar. You can build a deck where a pair of twos is worth far more than a royal flush, for example. Or craft a deck that's almost entirely comprised of one or two suits, or just a couple numbers, making flushes, full houses, or four (or five!) of a kind easy to attain. You even unlock decks later that start you out with these sorts of changes. You can then choose jokers that give huge multipliers for creating whatever hands your deck is built around. And then you sit back and marinate in dopamine as the game makes the most wonderful noises while tallying your score. I'd still pay a lot for a really good console version of poker. But unless/until that happens, Balatro helps to fill the void. Good stuff.

[@ZamWeazle]

It's not really poker in that sense.

[@SallyMangos]

This is not the poker game you're looking for.

[@augursabound]

Looks good but think I will wait for the ipad version

[@sparkypack]

It will not click for me since I dispise the look of traditional playing cards. I'm more of a UNO player.

[@hitotsufutatsu2203]

1.0.1 when

[@michaelwalker8250]

I have no idea how to play this game as I don't know how to play poker. I'll stick to yu gi oh.

[@nicholasadamson2103]

Regular card deck huh? Whelp! See ya later!

[@paulblyth9793]

I hear nothing but good things about this one. But I just can’t bring myself to play it 😬

[@samus88]

I don't really get thos game tho. There is no progress, right? There are no permanent upgrades so every run is just as likely to be a winner. It's a random game and you can't control which cards you get. I just don't like that.

[@roundpaw]

Very helpful and well thought out review, however can’t stop myself from being annoying and pointing out that’s not onomatopoeia 😬

[@SwitchUpYt]

I'd argue it is. The 'chink' sound is onomatopoeic for sure. I can practically see it appearing in the air as I hear it. Glen

[@lowify1]

Persona 5. 80hours in and 40% more content to go.

[@Raphtor13]

ugh..not for me

[@SteveDave5763]

I thought that myself and then I lost 30 hours in a week on this game….

[@VanHelvet]

The game is so utterly reliant on rng that I have no desire to play it again after beating it once.

[@nicked_fenyx]

Plenty of people consistently beat the game, especially at the lower difficulties. There's an insane amount of strategy involved, and long win streaks aren't uncommon (again, especially at the starting difficulty). If you gave up after your first win, you didn't really put in the time to learn those strategies. Which is totally fine - the game might not be for you - but it's really not *that* reliant on rng. Not once you know what you're doing. It's all about learning multiple viable strategies and adjusting your deck accordingly as you go. The sheer number of viable strategies and learning how and when to implement them is what makes this game so fun / replayable. I initially thought the same as you, but stuck with it, started watching a few other people play, and began to realize how much I had to learn. Now I'm hooked. But again, this game isn't for everyone. I just wanted to note that it really does strike a pretty good balance between strategy and rng for those who want to invest the time to learn its intricacies.

[@jorgeavella3992]

A card game? No thanks!

[@ZamWeazle]

Best kind of game imo

[@ThaCyNiQ]

I love Poker, but this game is pointless and dumb lol

[@ZamWeazle]

Because there's no money involved like poker?

[@gregevigan]

awfuk

[@GoroOno]

Excuse me?! 8:26

[@ZamWeazle]

It's a sound description.

[@Falconpeep85]

Switch Up won’t mention it (respect). All the great “Switch” games hit Steam Deck way earlier!! Don’t buy a Switch, Nintendo are tone deaf & v much against the consumer 🤗

[@sparkypack]

I have Steam on my PC. Last I checked, games like Unicorn Overlord isn't there.

[@jonk4255]

Not the game for me. Cards/deck building isn’t fun, it’s also closely linked to gambling 😢

[@ZamWeazle]

Poker thematically but there's no gambling like in poker

[@elleryjohnson1326]

Finally a new game thanks switch up!!!

[@Dookstone]

Shoutout to ZainoTVLive best Balatro content creator.