Yardbarker
x

Fans of Balatro! The breakout roguelike deck-building game has something big to look forward to. On May 9, 2025, Balatro revealed a crossover collaboration with Monster Train 2, another title in the same genre. This announcement has sparked a lot of excitement, especially since Balatro’s mascot, Jimbo, and six of his Jokers will be joining the Monster Train 2 universe. If you love strategic card games with a twist, this news is for you. For more updates like this, check out Total Apex Gaming.

Details of the Balatro and Monster Train 2 Crossover

Image from Balatro, Courtesy of LocalThunk & Playstack

The collaboration will feature Jimbo, a quirky mascot, alongside six Jokers: Chicot, Perkeo, Triboulet, Caino, Yorick, and Gros Michel. These characters are a big part of what makes it so unique, and now they’re crossing over into Monster Train 2. While it’s not yet clear how they’ll fit into the game—whether as cards, modifiers, or something else—the announcement trailer has already built anticipation. You can see it for yourself on GameRant. Monster Train 2 is slated to release on May 21, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Try Monster Train 2 Early

Can’t wait until May? There’s good news: a free demo of Monster Train 2 is available on Steam right now. It’s a great way to get a feel for the game before the full release. Monster Train 2 builds on the original’s concept of defending Pyre Hearts on a multi-floor train, adding new cards and enemies. The crossover is just one part of the excitement—there’s also a collaboration with Cult of the Lamb, bringing even more variety. Read more about it on PC Gamer.

Why Balatro Stands Out

Balatro has taken the gaming world by storm since its release. It was developed by LocalThunk. The game blends poker mechanics with roguelike gameplay, earning praise for being both fresh and addictive. By January of 2025, it had sold over 5 million copies, according to Wikipedia. Critics have called it “ludicrously fun,” and its popularity keeps growing. This crossover with Monster Train 2 shows how the influence is spreading, bringing its charm to other games in the genre.

What This Means for Roguelike Fans

Collaborations like this don’t happen every day, so when they do, they’re a big deal for roguelike deck-building fans. Balatro’s Jokers could shake up Monster Train 2’s strategies, adding new layers to an already deep game. Plus, with the Cult of the Lamb crossover in the mix, Monster Train 2 is shaping up to be a standout title in 2025.

Closing Thoughts

The Balatro and Monster Train 2 crossover is a match made in roguelike heaven. Whether you’re here for Jimbo and his Jokers or just excited for Monster Train 2’s release on May 21, 2025, there’s plenty to look forward to. Keep up with the latest gaming news at Total Apex Gaming’s news section. And if you want more on Balatro’s journey, IGN has a great review worth reading. Get ready to shuffle some cards and hop aboard the train!

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!