Home News Balatro Debug Menu Guide: Unlock Hidden Features

Balatro Debug Menu Guide: Unlock Hidden Features

Author : Camila Jan 11,2025

Balatro: Unleash the Power of Cheats and the Debug Menu

Balatro, the 2024 Game Awards sensation, captivated players worldwide with its innovative gameplay and endless replayability. Selling over 3.5 million copies and winning three prestigious awards, its popularity endures. However, even seasoned players may seek fresh challenges. While mods offer one solution, accessing Balatro's built-in developer debug menu provides another, enabling cheats without sacrificing achievements.

Quick Links

How to Activate Cheats in Balatro

To unlock Balatro's hidden cheat menu, you'll need 7-Zip, a free, open-source archiving tool. Locate your Balatro installation directory (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Balatro). If you can't find it, access it via your Steam library: right-click Balatro, select "Manage," then "Browse Local Files."

Right-click Balatro.exe and choose to open the archive using 7-Zip (this might be under "Show More Options"). Inside, locate conf.lua and open it with a simple text editor like Notepad.

Modify the line _RELEASE_MODE = true to _RELEASE_MODE = false, save the changes, and you're ready to go! If saving proves difficult, extract conf.lua to your desktop, make the changes, and replace the original file. The debug menu will now activate by holding the Tab key during gameplay. To disable cheats, simply reverse the _RELEASE_MODE change in conf.lua.

Mastering the Balatro Debug Menu

Balatro's cheat menu is user-friendly. Unlock collectibles by hovering over them and pressing '1'. Spawn jokers by hovering and pressing '3'. Initially limited to five jokers, you can transform a joker into a negative by pressing 'Q' four times while hovering over it, effectively increasing your joker count.

Complete List of Balatro Cheats (Hold Tab to Access Menu)

Cheat / Key Effect 1Unlock a Collectible (while hovering) 2Discover a Collectible (while hovering) 3Spawn a Collectible (while hovering) QChange Joker Edition (while hovering) HIsolate Background JPlay Splash Animation 8Toggle Cursor 9Toggle All Tooltips $10Adds $10 to Total +1 RoundIncreases Round by 1 +1 AnteIncreases Ante by 1 +1 HandAdds an additional Hand +1 DiscardAdds an additional Discard Boss RerollRerolls the Boss BackgroundRemoves the Background +10 ChipsAdds 10 Chips +10 MultAdds 10 to Multiplier X2 ChipsDoubles Chip Total X10 MultIncreases Multiplier by 10 Win this RunCompletes Current Run Lose this RunEnds Current Run ResetResets Current Run JimboMakes Jimbo Appear Jimbo TalkDisplays Jimbo Text Box
Latest Articles More
  • Tencent Games Announces the EOS of MMORPG Tarisland

    Another one bites the dust! Tencent Games has officially announced the End of Service (EOS) for its action MMORPG, Tarisland. This closure comes just a year after the game’s official global launch. Originally revealed in April 2023, Tarisland entered

    Oct 08,2026
  • Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 Trailer Features Guest Star Lady Gaga

    The second half of Wednesday season 2 is less than a month away — but fans can get a taste of what’s in store next with the brand new trailer, which Netflix just released. Here’s the thing, though: there’s one seriously major cameo in there that’s go

    Oct 07,2026
  • "Broken Sword: Reforged Launches with 30% Off, Reviving Nostalgic Mystery"

    Remastered graphics and improved sound designComplete voice acting in several languagesLimited-time launch discountAnnounced back in April, Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged (or, more succinctly, Broken Sword: Reforged) has officially l

    Oct 07,2026
  • Storm Summoner Zephyr Joins Shop Titans Team

    Welcome Zephyr, the storm cloud djinnComplete tasks in the Rushing Winds Content PassGet ready for Halloween festivities this monthIf you've ever imagined establishing your business across enchanting fantasy realms to test your entrepreneurial skills

    Oct 05,2026
  • Silksong’s Difficulty Is “Fine” Says Team Cherry

    According to Team Cherry, the difficulty level of Silksong is "fine." Read on to discover how the developers have implemented solutions for players to manage the game's challenge and their reasoning behind making it harder than its predecessor.Silkso

    Oct 05,2026
  • Fragariamemories Color of Wishes is an upcoming fantasy RPG where you must protect Hello Kitty herself

    Become a knight's sword to defend Hello KittyFragaria faces peril from the Seeds, and you must stand as its guardianPay close attention to the details, with an anticipated release in 2026If an award for “Most Syllables in a Game Title” existed, Fraga

    Oct 04,2026