2024's Top-Rated Game Faces Availability Issues for Certain Users

Balatro, the latest viral hit of 2024, is currently not available in digital stores for certain consoles due to a new ratings issue. However, players who already own Balatro should not be affected, as confirmed by the game's publisher.

Released on February 20, Balatro quickly became a sensation in the gaming community. This game brought a fresh twist to the roguelike deck-building genre by taking inspiration from poker. Players get to create real-life poker hands while using unique cards with special abilities. Balatro's unique gameplay has been a huge success, earning a remarkable 97% user rating on Steam from over 10,000 reviews. Despite its popularity, this Poker-inspired game recently faced its first hurdle.

Balatro Removed From Some Digital Stores

Balatro's publisher, Playstack Games, recently addressed the game's removal from several digital stores. The reason behind this action was a sudden change in the game's rating by a ratings board. Initially rated 3+, Balatro was unexpectedly reclassified as 18+ due to the board's mistaken belief that the game featured gambling imagery and instructions. However, Playstack Games defended the game, emphasizing that Balatro was carefully designed to exclude any gambling elements. Despite being assured by the ratings board in October that the game was free of gambling themes and deserving of a 3+ rating, the board has since reversed its decision.

Twitter article posted by Playstack

Playstack confirmed that Balatro will continue to be available on Steam and all PC stores, ensuring that current players won't face any disruptions. The publisher is actively striving to relaunch Balatro on all platforms. While no specific timeframe was provided, Playstack hinted that the game might come back with a temporary 18+ rating.

Choosing a Tarot card in Balatro - Thanks to Balatro's Joker mechanic and other creative features, the game continues to balloon in popularity

Balatro's Joker mechanic and other unique features have contributed to the game's growing popularity. With a current rating of 92 on OpenCritic, it is currently the second-highest-rated game of the year, just behind the recently launched Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Console fans who are eager to play Balatro may need to wait a little longer until it becomes available for purchase again.

Fans can explore the top roguelike deck-building games available right now. One popular option is Slay the Spire, which continues to be a favorite among gamers. This game can be accessed on Game Pass and offers engaging gameplay that is both fair and rewarding. For those looking for alternatives, titles like Dicey Dungeons and Inscryption: Kaycee's Mod are worth checking out.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the unfortunate situation surrounding Balatro's recent removal from digital stores due to a ratings issue. While it's understandable that the game's poker-inspired gameplay may raise some concerns, the publisher's assurance that Balatro excludes any gambling elements should be taken into consideration. It's disheartening to see the game being penalized despite the ratings board's initial approval. Console fans who were eagerly anticipating Balatro may have to exercise patience while the publisher works to resolve the issue.

Overall, the article serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate ratings and the potential impact they can have on the availability of games. It's crucial for ratings boards to thoroughly evaluate games before assigning ratings to avoid such situations in the future. Hopefully, Balatro will soon be available on all platforms again, allowing players to enjoy its unique and engaging gameplay.