Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best gaming gadgets
  • New Games 2026
  • Arc Raiders
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Roguelike Games
  3. Balatro

Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker has been infected by Balatro, and the hit roguelike's creator loves it: "It's possibly the most addictive thing ever created"

News
By Jordan Gerblick published 14 August 2024

Brooker is also playing Ghost of Tsushima and Dave the Diver

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Balatro Joker card
(Image credit: Playstack)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

The creator of the Black Mirror television series is hooked on Balatro, the roguelike indie hit whose astonishing success led to a million copies sold in just a month.

Charlie Brooker, who wrote the 2013 TV series How Videogames Changed the World and is a noted video game enjoyer, recently told Deadline he's among the legions of people this year who've become enthralled by Balatro.

"This is going to sound so tragic, but right now there’s a game called Balatro," Brooker said. "It’s like poker, and it’s possibly the most addictive thing ever created. It’s currently on Nintendo Switch and Steam deck, but it’s going to be released on phones, and at that point I think humankind’s activity is going to drop about 25%. I play that in short bursts when I’m writing to reward myself. I do like Ghost of Tsushima and Dave the Diver too, but there’s loads more."

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Raccoin Balatro's legacy has spawned yet another time-devouring roguelike, and I might have ruined Steam Next Fest for myself
  • Balatro Joker card Balatro's big 1.1 update is still coming, LocalThunk says: "Last night I stayed up until the early hours of the morning"
  • Slay the Spire 2 "Slay the Spire 2 has taken over his life":  Palworld CEO gets a telling off for playing too much of the deckbuilder

First of all, Brooker, there is nothing tragic about playing a great indie game, and secondly I'm going to have to 'well actually' you and remind everyone that Balatro is also on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One as well. That said, Balatro, Ghost of Tsushima, and Dave the Diver is a trifecta of greatness that shows you have excellent taste in video games. Like, if you were stuck on an island with only three games to play for the rest of your life, that would be a really solid selection.

Naturally, Balatro creator LocalThunk took to Twitter to share his enthusiasm over Brooker's comments, reacting with a devious smile that suggests he's happy to be taking over the world with his poker-themed roguelike. 

Balatro can't be sold to any gambling companies or casinos even after its creator dies, because its solo dev is so against that idea they've written it into their will.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PS5 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch PS4 Xbox One Platforms PlayStation Xbox Nintendo
Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

Read more
Raccoin
Roguelike Games Balatro's legacy has spawned yet another time-devouring roguelike, and I might have ruined Steam Next Fest for myself
 
 
Balatro Joker card
Roguelike Games Balatro's big 1.1 update is still coming, LocalThunk says: "Last night I stayed up until the early hours of the morning"
 
 
Slay the Spire 2
Roguelike Games "Slay the Spire 2 has taken over his life":  Palworld CEO gets a telling off for playing too much of the deckbuilder
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
RPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Daredevil star Charlie Cox has finally played the hit J'RPG: "I'm not very good at it"
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Astarion, a pale male elf with short curly white hair and red eyes, looking over his shoulder with a smirk on his face
Baldur's Gate Famed indie dev refuses to uninstall Baldur's Gate 3 even after finding Act 3 "too big" to finish
 
 
The key art for the Blue Prince showing a doorway on a blue wall, which is open to reveal several more rooms within its frame, a person deep within opening another door several layers deep to a bright white light
Puzzle Games Blue Prince creator couldn't "physically" make another game as "ambitious" as his 2025 puzzle hit
 
 
Latest in Roguelike Games
Saros launch trailer screenshot shows a concerned Arjun Devraj.
Roguelike Games Saros selling worse than Returnal, analyst estimates, as it competes with Crimson Desert, Resident Evil Requiem and more
 
 
Nyx from Hades 2 overlaying an image of Selene and her winged horse visiting her
Hades 230 runs later, Hades 2's ranking system has me feeling cheated out of a huge missed opportunity
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 early access trailer screenshot shows a character wearing a skull mask.
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 has almost 80,000 negative Steam reviews – nearly 14 times more than the first game
 
 
The Regent from Slay the Spire 2
Roguelike Games I beat Slay the Spire 2 Ascension 10 with all classes, and I have one question for Mega Crit
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 class Regent on stone throne
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 patch hits the nuclear option, deletes Doormaker boss countless players hated
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 classes
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 patches are half as frequent as the first game's as weekly updates "really sucked"
 
 
Latest in News
Subnautica 2
Survival Games Now that Subnautica 2 is out, Valve's Deadlock is on top of Steam's most wishlisted chart
 
 
GTA 6 Cal Hampton in a pool on a pink flamingo float
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 price listed as $115 via retailer amid pre-order rumors, fans pray it's a "placeholder"
 
 
Subnautica 2 character smiles at alien artifact
Survival Games Subnautica 2 has already sold 1 million copies and it's been out for literally one hour
 
 
Elden Ring soldier drawing sword
RPGs "FromSoftware is making steady progress" amid push "to develop IP in games" and film, says owner
 
 
Outbound
Open World Games Devs of one of Steam's most-wishlisted games respond after asking fans to change negative reviews
 
 
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined launch trailer screenshot shows a boy wearing a green hat, looking at a blue, floating object.
Dragon Quest Dragon Quest lead doesn't think the JRPG series "must always feature turn-based combat"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Hand holding Retro Fighters Hunter with OG Xbox Crystal Edition and Sony Trinitron TV in backdrop with Oddword: Munch's Odyssee main menu on screen.
    1
    The Retro Fighters Hunter is a fierce wireless OG Xbox controller, but I'm torn on whether its too much like Microsoft's modern gamepad
  2. 2
    Devs behind one of Steam’s most-wishlisted games respond after asking players to change negative reviews and kicking up a stink online
  3. 3
    Subnautica 2 has already sold 1 million copies and it's been out for literally one hour
  4. 4
    Dragon Quest lead doesn't think the JRPG series "must always feature turn-based combat," which makes me wonder if Dragon Quest 12 could follow in Final Fantasy's footsteps
  5. 5
    After 1 hour, Subnautica 2 Steam player peak is 9x bigger than the original game and gaining on Slay the Spire 2 for biggest launch of 2026

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...