Get ready to hit the court in a whole new way! Clutchtime: Basketball Deckbuilder launches on July 24, 2025.
If you’re eager to get a head start, a demo is available now on Steam, where you can also wishlist the game.
Developed by solo developer Bigosaur, the creative force behind popular titles like Son of a Witch and Watermelon Party, Clutchtime promises a unique fusion of genres, blending the strategic deckbuilding and roguelike mechanics popularized by games like Balatro with the fast-paced action of basketball.
What is Clutchtime about
Every basketball term translates into a playable card: you’ll execute passes, take shots, attempt steals, grab rebounds, and make crucial blocks.
The game even incorporates realistic elements from the sport, allowing you to substitute players, call timeouts, challenge calls, and yes, even complain to the refs if the situation demands it!
This passion project from the Serbian developer draws inspiration from hometown basketball heroes such as Nikola Jokić, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Boban Marjanović. Bigosaur has channeled a deep love for both game development and basketball into Clutchtime, creating an experience that’s sure to resonate with fans of both.
“I’m very excited to bring Clutchtime to deckbuilding and basketball fans alike,” said Milan Babuškov, lead developer at Bigosaur. “As a massive basketball fan, this was truly a passion project. Combining my deep knowledge of the sport with my love of gaming was an extremely gratifying experience, and I’m happy to share it with the rest of the world.”
Clutchtime gameplay
Clutchtime puts a unique spin on deckbuilding. Each team starts with a deck of five players, and each player has three cards representing their individual skills.
You’ll need to strategically build your deck around real-life basketball plays and foster strong team synergy to succeed.
Whether you prefer a quick challenge or a full season, Clutchtime has you covered with two distinct game modes. In Elimination mode, you’ll tackle tournaments in true roguelike fashion, facing off against progressively tougher opponents.
If you prefer a more traditional experience, Classic mode lets you play through a typical basketball season. You can lose a few games, but the ultimate goal is to qualify for the playoffs and compete for the Championship title.
Keep an eye out for dynamic random events that occur throughout the season. These events can give you an edge, allowing you to upgrade cards, trade with other teams, duplicate your favorite cards, and much more. These unpredictable moments add an extra layer of strategy to your season.
Bigosaur has gone the extra mile to immerse you in the game with Clutchtime’s unique audio features. The developer personally attended live games to record authentic crowd sounds and arena acoustics, mixing them into the soundtrack to create the genuine feel of a live basketball arena.
The crowd is dynamic and reacts directly to the noise level in the game, so every block, dunk, or flashy move you pull off will trigger enthusiastic cheers from the fans, pulling you deeper into the on-court action.
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