Balatro dev teases new joker for upcoming 1.1 update, based on Gros Michel/Cavendish

The uber-popular roguelike deck-builder, Balatro, is still a staple of indie gaming nearly two years after its initial launch. On January 17, 2026, its solo developer LocalThunk shared a screenshot of upcoming Joker art via Discord, specifically for the 1.1 update cycle. The image features a banana Joker, a reference to the "Gros Michel" or "Cavendish" jokers in the game. This means that the 1.1 update will potentially introduce new joker/card "editions" or modifiers that affect Balatro's gameplay.

In the current version of the game, the banana Jokers are defined by their "extinction" mechanics, where a card provides a high multiplier but carries a statistical probability of being destroyed after a round. The chromatic aberration-style art in the leak could mean that there's a third evolution in this lineup, or a new status effect that may interact with the joker itself. Adding another layer of visual modifiers means making adjustments to the game's shader system, which has been praised for its CRT-style feel and low hardware overhead.

Long-time players on Steam and Discord have been discussing how this new asset might interact with the existing "Negative" or "Polychrome" editions. Despite being in its second year of post-launch support, Balatro has avoided the "feature creep" that often bugs successful indies. LocalThunk has maintained a rather disciplined approach to complexity in the game. The 1.1 update is expected to be the most substantial one since the game’s 2024 release. It will likely improve the late-game "Endless Mode" meta which many top-tier players have found predictable in recent months.

The game’s market performance can still be considered an anomaly in the crowded roguelike genre. Since its debut, it has held its "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating aggregate on Steam. While concurrent player peaks have stabilized since the initial 37,000-player surge at launch, the title consistently sees upticks during minor patch releases. Version 1.1 will also be a key milestone for the title, it seems.

Buy the Balatro Special Edition for Nintendo Switch on Amazon.