How to Play Balatro on Android and Retro Handhelds

Balatro has its hooks in me, it's a strangely relaxing and addicting roguelike deck-builder game. In this video I will show you how to port your own Steam installation of this game over to Android to be used on your phone, tablet, or handheld, and also how to install it on Linux handhelds running PortMaster.

Note that the developer of Balatro intends to officially port this game to iOS and Android in the future.

Update: if using JELOS or ROCKNIX with PortMaster for this game, and your ABXY buttons are swapped, you can hover over the game in EmulationStation and press the X button then choose "Advanced Game Options", and change the button configuration to "Xbox" to match the original controls. You can also use the right analog stick as a mouse cursor, to skip the tutorial. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Ways to support this channel:

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:16 Android APK maker
04:03 Android overview
05:18 what is Balatro?
07:25 PortMaster (Linux) installation
11:32 summary and conclusion

Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:

^^ use code "RGC10" for 10% off your order

This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

#Balatro #Retroid #AndroidGaming #PortMaster #retrohandheld

[RetroGameCorps]

Update: if using JELOS or ROCKNIX with PortMaster for this game, and your ABXY buttons are swapped, you can hover over the game in EmulationStation and press the X button to choose "Advanced Game Options", and change the button configuration to "Xbox" to match the original controls. Thanks to everyone for the tip!

Also, there seems to be issues with Google Pixel phones right now, it displays a black image on the screen. Try using the “CRT disabled” option when building the apk to see if that helps!

Finally, there have been new updates to the Android apk maker almost daily at this point. If you want to rebuild a new apk to take advantage of these updates, you can do so, and then install the apk again. It will be detected as an update by your Android device and update the app without affecting your save games. I expect it will be a similar process if and when an update to the Balatro.exe file happens.

[oSmudge]

Hey Retro Game Corps, creator of Balatro APK Maker here! Thanks for sharing this! I had trouble getting the word out about this tool-- and YouTube took down my video with a community strike 🙁
I suspect your community is responsible for the uptick in traffic to the repo, which has helped me iron out lots of bugs!
Thanks again! 😁

[MrNotgoth]

Man, this guy has a guide for everything

[Toweli]

FYI the dev is working on an android port so if you dont have or plan on playing the game on Steam, I would just wait until the (probably cheaper) app store version comes out.

[roshn]

Man I swear this is my go to channel every time I open YouTube. You rock!

[Ginsoakedboy]

Really would like that dedicated Portmaster video Russ!

[kaijuhaus]

Me, having just received my Miyoo Mini Plus in the mail and with the Trimui Smart Pro on the way; this guide is perfect timing for some Balatro goodness ❤ Thanks Russ!

[jasonlight]

This is so great! Thank you! I have a few more casual rogue-likes that I would love to do this for also, hopefully we can apk more of the games in our steam libraries.

[IndubitablyRetro]

Man I wish this would’ve been posted yesterday so I can play Balatro while sitting at Jury Duty today.

[Heavyshadowsound]

Well this confirms what version of Balatro I need to play

[jimmygoocharan]

I can't believe I'm playing this on my RG353m now. Thanks homie. You a real one.

[crystal_is_cozy]

Yours is so thorough, and I'm really glad you covered Portmaster! =D Can't wait to try this on the RGB30 to see if I can even read the text lol

[AdamFaircloth]

Thank you so much for this! Incredible walkthrough. Loving having Balatro on my pixel and Odin.

[DeliciousBert]

This is awesome. I bet battery life will be better than using Yuzu.

[DigitalJedi]

Russ I love ya man, you are easily my favorite YouTuber. I have learned show much about this hobby because your videos thank you. That being said what is wrong with you? Onions are amazing! Great video btw

[woprdroid]

I too have been playing alot of Balatro on my steam deck and switch. I got it to work on my Android and a Anbernic RG353PS. It is cool that it runs but the text is just to small on the RG353PS. Great video as always!

[AngelCopout]

Nice. Definitely getting it on Android. I'd get it on a handheld but honestly not sure how much I'd play. Feels like my Ally is starting to collect dust 😔

[maskedlover]

I love the game since demo, but i dropped it for around 2 months since it so hard that got me little desperate
Thank to this video i fired it up and got through a new deck with a win 🥰
This game will burn your time like crazy

[Atrus]

Balatro is awesome. I've been addicted to it recently too. 😂

[virgilbarthelemy]

i was hoping for something like this !! you made my day!!