Balatro Dev's Top Game Pick for 2024 Revealed

Summary

• Balatro developer lauds Animal Well as his favorite game of 2024.
• The developer named some of his other favorite games of 2024 as well.
• Balatro achieved massive success, selling 3.5 million copies, and receiving high acclaim from players and critics.

The developer behind the indie sensation Balatro, known as LocalThunk, has crowned Animal Well as his top game of 2024. Both Balatro and Animal Well have emerged as critically acclaimed indie hits from the previous year, captivating audiences with their innovative gameplay and design.

Balatro, a deck-building game crafted by a solo developer on a modest budget, has seen phenomenal success since its debut in February 2024. It has not only garnered widespread critical acclaim but has also sold over 3.5 million copies, reflecting its massive appeal among players. Despite Balatro's success, 2024 has been a banner year for indie games, with standout titles like Neva, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, and UFO 50 also making waves. Among these, Animal Well has distinguished itself, earning praise that rivals that of Balatro. In recognition of this, LocalThunk has publicly commended the creator of Animal Well, Billy Basso from Shared Memory.

In a humorous yet heartfelt Twitter post, LocalThunk awarded Animal Well his "Golden Thunk" award for "Game of the Year 2024," praising its immersive and stylish gameplay filled with secrets. He described it as Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso, in turn, acknowledged LocalThunk's kind words, playfully naming him the "(The) Nicest Most Humble Dev of the Year." Fans echoed this sentiment in the comments, celebrating the positive and supportive atmosphere among indie developers. LocalThunk also highlighted other indie favorites of 2024, including Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing, sharing his appreciation for each.

Balatro Developer Picks His Favorite Games of 2024

In the thread following his original post, LocalThunk shared additional games he enjoyed in 2024. He listed Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing as his "runners up," detailing what he found appealing about each. Notably, Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, like Balatro, is a pixel art-based deck-building game developed by a solo developer, highlighting a shared passion and approach in game design.

Despite Balatro's overwhelming success, LocalThunk has continued to enhance the game with free updates, including three "Friends of Jimbo" updates that have introduced crossover content from popular IPs such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. Most recently, LocalThunk teased a potential collaboration with another top game from 2024, hinting at exciting future developments for Balatro fans.