Just when the denizens of Night City thought their chrome was polished for the last time, CD Projekt Red delivered one final, unexpected gift. In a move that surprised even the most dedicated edgerunners, the studio released a surprise update for Cyberpunk 2077 in late 2025, dubbed Update 2.2. While officially touted for its major car customization overhaul and vastly improved photo mode, the true gem of this patch was a carefully hidden secret—a full-blown crossover side quest with the indie deck-building sensation, Balatro. This unexpected collaboration proved that even years after its initial rocky launch, Cyberpunk 2077 still has tricks up its sleeve.
For those not in the know, Balatro took the gaming world by storm. Created by solo developer LocalThunk, it's a roguelike where you build insane synergies between Joker cards and poker hands. Simple in concept, wildly addictive in practice. It was a critical darling and a Game of the Year contender. So, how does this card game madness fit into the gritty, neon-drenched world of Cyberpunk? Seamlessly, as it turns out.
The quest begins subtly. While navigating the main story or just causing chaos in Watson, V's phone might ping with a message from a mysterious new contact: Jim B. The message is cryptic, urgent. Jim B. needs help tracking down a group of "rogue Jokers" who have scattered across Night City and are plotting to dominate the underworld gambling scene. Intrigued? You should be. Accepting the request unlocks "The Joker's Wild," a city-wide scavenger hunt that sends players to every major district.
Here's the twist: these "rogue Jokers" aren't people or rogue AIs. They're graffiti. 🤯 Scattered on alley walls, hidden in corpo plazas, and tucked away in the Badlands are stylized spray-paint images of the iconic Joker cards from Balatro. Finding them requires a keen eye and a willingness to explore every dark corner Night City has to offer.
👉 The Hunt's Highlights:
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Watson's Whispers: Start your search in the familiar streets of Watson, where the first clue often appears.
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City Center Secrets: Corpo landmarks hide these artistic easter eggs in plain sight.
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Badlands Bounty: Even the desolate outskirts hold a piece of the puzzle.
Completing this fetch quest isn't just for bragging rights. Jim B. is a generous, if eccentric, patron. For returning with photos of all the hidden graffiti, he rewards V with exclusive Balatro-themed cosmetics:
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A New Threads: The "Joker's Grin" T-shirt, a slick piece of streetwear featuring one of the iconic card designs.
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Apartment Flair: A shiny, new trophy for V's apartment, a permanent memento of this bizarre adventure.
So, why Balatro? Why now? The answer comes from CD Projekt Red quest designer Maria Mazur. In interviews, she revealed she was a massive Balatro fan and championed the collaboration. She felt a "kindred spirit vibe" with creator LocalThunk and was thrilled to weave Jim B. into Night City's tapestry. This wasn't a corporate mandate; it was a passion project from a fan, for the fans.
This 2025 update wasn't the first dance between these two creators. Earlier in the year, Balatro's "Friends of Jimbo" update added special face cards to the deck, including:
| Card | Character | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| The Witcher | Geralt of Rivia | The Witcher Series |
| The Rockerboy | Johnny Silverhand | Cyberpunk 2077 |
This reciprocal nod shows a mutual respect between an indie dev and a AAA studio, a rare and wonderful thing in the industry. Update 2.2, with its hidden Balatro quest, serves as a perfect farewell love letter to Cyberpunk 2077 players. It combines meaningful new gameplay (car customization, photo mode) with a whimsical, secret hunt that rewards exploration and celebrates another fantastic game. It proves that Night City's stories, even the hidden ones scribbled on walls, are far from over.