Balatro, the 2024 smash-hit that redefined the roguelike genre and dominated player’s playtimes across all platforms, felt like it came out of nowhere. Developed by just one person, LocalThunk, someone who was convinced it wouldn’t sell well, Balatro feels like the epitome of why indie games are truly the greatest gift to gaming. However, what few may know is that Balatro was inspired by a similar indie roguelike with gambling themes.
Balatromay have showcased why2024 was great for games, but one of its biggest sources of inspiration had helped lay the foundations a whole year before. This game, also developed by just one person, may not have been quite as big of a cultural phenomenon, but it is nevertheless worth playing.Now that incredible indie game is coming to consoles, and players have plenty of reasons why they should try it out.
Balatro Was Inspired By Luck Be A Landlord
It Made Balatro A Roguelike
Balatrowas inspired by the roguelike deckbuilder game,Luck be a Landlord, which was developed by TrampolineTales and released in January 2023. It, much likeBalatro, sees players aim to earn high scores - or, in this case, money - by stacking a slot machine full of unique slots each with their own unique effects, and then spinning. The goal is to earn as much money as possible to pay off the landlord. The roguelike structure is actually the biggest point of inspiration forBalatro, with LocalThunk explaining in aReddit AMAthat it made him rethinkBalatro’sdesign entirely. He stated:
“The one largest influence on Balatro was Luck Be a Landlord. I watched Northernlion play for a few videos and loved the concept of a non-fanatsy themed score attach roguelike a ton, so I modified the card game I was working on at the time into a roguelike.”
There are definitely a lot of similarities betweenLuck be a LandlordandBalatro, although they do absolutely feel like their own experiences, if only because of the key differences between the core gambling games they are replicating. Interestingly, LocalThunk also mentioned in that Reddit AMA that, while people have cited similarities betweenBalatroandSlay the Spire- one of thebest roguelike deckbuildersof all time - he had never actually played it during the development ofBalatro.
It’s Easier To Play Luck Be A Landlord Than Ever Before
It’s Finally Coming To Console
Luck be a Landlordis finally coming to consoles, launching on August 06, 2025,for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 4 & 5. This will not only make one of thebest indie gamesmore accessible than ever before, but it will give those who are seeking an experience akin toBalatrothe perfect game to play. The console version will come with all the updates that have shapedLuck be a Landlordinto one of the most engrossing and unique deckbuilders that honestly givesBalatroa run for its money.
Luck be a Landlord, whether on console or PC, is absolutely worth playing. The engrossing loop of collecting new slots, watching as the coin total increases rapidly as everything comes together, and finally beating the landlord is something that, much likeBalatro, never gets old. It is a formula that has been perfected here and innovated inBalatro. As a result, for those who loveBalatroand everything it has to offer, it feels only right to play the game that gave it the structure that shaped it into the GOTY nominee it is today.
