When talking about the standout releases of 2024, it’s impossible to overlook one of the decade’s most surprising hits: Balatro. This indie gem has captivated players worldwide with its clever fusion of poker and roguelike mechanics, so much so that even James Gunn couldn’t resist its charms.
Right now, the director is in the middle of the global press tour for Superman, the first film set to launch DC’s new cinematic universe. So how does he unwind when he’s not on the red carpet? Apparently, he squeezes in a few rounds of this addictive card game whenever he can
James Gunn can’t get enough of Balatro
Known for his passion for video games, the co-head of DC Studios has recently become captivated by the title that earned a GOTY nomination at the 2024 Game Awards, and hasn’t held back his enthusiasm. Just weeks ago, he even took to social media to show off one of his proudest feats: scoring over a billion points with a single hand.
And it seems like the filmmaker can’t stop talking about his new favorite indie hit: during the recent press tour for the Superman movie, starring Rachel Brosnahan, David Corenswet, and Nicholas Hoult, he brought it up again.
When talking to IGN, the interviewer told Gunn that a fan said they would only watch his new movie because he plays Balatro, to which the director responded by praising LocalThunk’s breakout title as “a great game” and explaining that his love of poker is part of what hooked him.
“Well, I like poker first of all. And then I just like the whole cards thing, so it’s just really fun,” he noted.
Gunn has previously admitted that most of his downtime during the Superman press tour goes to the card-based roguelike, even saying he “pretty much” only plays Balatro when he’s not facing reporters “for 13 hours straight.”
A massive hit on PlayStation Plus
Of course, James Gunn isn’t the only one who can’t put Balatro down. The game’s addictive loop has earned it a reputation as time-consumer and made it one of the biggest indie hits on PlayStation Plus.
LocalThunk’s standout title joined the PS Plus Extra catalog in May 2025, and reports say it was the third most popular new release on the service this year. While Sony hasn’t shared exact player numbers, it’s clear thousands have given it a shot.
But the game’s success extends beyond sales and streaming stats; Balatro also took home the top honor at the Game Developers Choice Awards this year, a testament to its warm reception from both players and industry peers alike.
Did you know James Gunn was such a big gamer? Have you tried this indie hit yet? Tell us about it in the comments below!