{"id":24750,"date":"2025-02-24T15:56:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T23:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/best-xbox-game-pass-games-2024-surprise-release-balatro\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T09:26:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:26:58","slug":"best-xbox-game-pass-games-2024-surprise-release-balatro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/best-xbox-game-pass-games-2024-surprise-release-balatro\/","title":{"rendered":"Surprise! One of 2024\u2019s Best Games Just Dropped on Xbox Game Pass!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1792\" height=\"1024\" src=\"2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z.png\" alt=\"Image of a futuristic cityscape with a robot figure in front of a glowing moon, holding a sword.\" class=\"wp-image-24749\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z.png 1792w, https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z-1024x585.png 1024w, https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z-1536x878.png 1536w, https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z-800x457.png 800w, https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Xbox-Game-Pass-Surprise-Release-Balatro-2025-02-24T235455.000Z-1280x731.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1792px) 100vw, 1792px\" \/>\n    <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n      <p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Disclaimer: Image created for editorial use only. No copyrighted or trademarked materials. All rights belong to their respective owners. No endorsement or affiliation.<\/em><\/p>\n    <\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:8px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><p><strong>Balatro Joins Xbox Game Pass in Surprise Release<\/strong><\/p>  \n\n<h2>Balatro&#8217;s Unexpected Arrival on Game Pass<\/h2>  \n\n<p>The critically acclaimed roguelike card game <em>Balatro<\/em> has just landed on Xbox Game Pass in an unexpected update. Microsoft didn\u2019t announce its inclusion beforehand, making this a welcome surprise for subscribers.<\/p>  \n\n<h2>A Critically Acclaimed Deck-Building Experience<\/h2>  \n\n<p>Released in February 2024, <em>Balatro<\/em> combines poker mechanics with deck-building and roguelike gameplay, earning widespread praise from both critics and players. It holds an impressive 92\/100 rating on OpenCritic and has sold millions of copies since launch. The game also made a strong showing at <a href=\"https:\/\/thegameawards.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Game Awards 2024<\/a>, winning:<\/p>  \n\n<ul>  \n  <li>Best Independent Game<\/li>  \n  <li>Best Debut Indie Game<\/li>  \n  <li>Best Mobile Game<\/li>  \n<\/ul>  \n\n<h2>The New &#8220;Friends of Jimbo&#8221; Update<\/h2>  \n\n<p>Alongside its Game Pass debut, <em>Balatro<\/em> has received the latest \u201cFriends of Jimbo\u201d update, adding new themed cards inspired by franchises like:<\/p>  \n\n<ul>  \n  <li><strong>Fallout<\/strong><\/li>  \n  <li><strong>Civilization<\/strong><\/li>  \n  <li><strong>Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/strong><\/li>  \n  <li>And more<\/li>  \n<\/ul>  \n\n<p>This update is available across all platforms.<\/p>  \n\n<h2>Expanded Reach Through Xbox Game Pass<\/h2>  \n\n<p>Now on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xbox.com\/en-US\/xbox-game-pass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Xbox Game Pass<\/a>, <em>Balatro<\/em> is set to reach an even larger audience in 2025.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Latest News<\/h4>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/abyssus-trailer-unveils-deadly-arsenal-weapons-highlights\/\" aria-label=\"Abyssus Unveils Explosive New Trailer Showcasing Its Deadly Arsenal!\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Video-Game-Trailer-Release-2025-03-23T205344.000Z-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Image of futuristic submarines navigating an underwater cityscape with glowing structures.\" style=\"max-width:50px;max-height:50px;\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/abyssus-trailer-unveils-deadly-arsenal-weapons-highlights\/\">Abyssus Unveils Explosive New Trailer Showcasing Its Deadly Arsenal!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/jurassic-world-evolution-2-free-epic-games-store-claim-now\/\" aria-label=\"Jurassic World Evolution 2 is Free on Epic Games Store\u2014Grab It Before It&#8217;s Gone!\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Video-Game-Promotion-2025-03-23T045342.000Z-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Image of a lush valley surrounded by towering mountains, with a bird flying under a dramatic sky.\" style=\"max-width:50px;max-height:50px;\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/jurassic-world-evolution-2-free-epic-games-store-claim-now\/\">Jurassic World Evolution 2 is Free on Epic Games Store\u2014Grab It Before It&#8217;s Gone!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/how-atomfall-stands-out-in-post-apocalyptic-game-genre\/\" aria-label=\"Atomfall: How Rebellion\u2019s New Post-Apocalyptic Game Stands Out from the Rest!\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Video-Game-2025-03-22T205345.000Z-e1743076403524-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Image of a post-apocalyptic village with old cars, houses, and distant cooling towers.\" style=\"max-width:50px;max-height:50px;\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/how-atomfall-stands-out-in-post-apocalyptic-game-genre\/\">Atomfall: How Rebellion\u2019s New Post-Apocalyptic Game Stands Out from the Rest!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><!-- LATEST BREAKING NEWS -->\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:2%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#29254f;flex-basis:96%\">\n<p class=\"has-background has-small-font-size\" style=\"background-color:#29254f\"><strong>Disclaimer<\/strong><br>Any content on this Website, including the information in this article, text, images, and videos, is provided for general informational purposes only. We strive for accuracy, but we make no warranties about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the content. While we aim to provide an entertaining experience, the primary intent is to offer valuable information about games and related topics. Any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk. We disclaim liability for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in the content, and any loss or damage resulting from its use. Please independently verify any information before making decisions based on it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:2%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- ARTICLE DISCLAIMER -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Surprise hit game Balatro launches on Xbox Game Pass! Experience the acclaimed roguelike card game with its exciting new update today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24749,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1486],"tags":[],"device_support":[],"wf_post_folders":[],"class_list":["post-24750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","no-featured-image-padding","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24750\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24750"},{"taxonomy":"device_support","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/device_support?post=24750"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magbei.com\/mb26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=24750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}