Seven years after the Inventory closed its doors, this underground social club has reopened for business. Play No Limit Texas Hold’em with four video game icons in a high-stakes battle of cards, bets, and trash talk. Get a bonus TF2 Dealer’s Visor if you buy before March 19!
Developer: Skunkape Games
Publisher: Skunkape Games
Platforms: PC (reviewed on – AMD 9800X3D, Radeon 9070XT, 64GB DDR5 RAM, Steam Deck), Mac OS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Many years ago, there was a game hidden in the alley, accessible only to game protagonists. The Inventory was a stealthy operation and a hidden bar, where favourite game characters can kick back and rest after a hard day’s work. One of the features of The Inventory is Texas Hold ’em. Players have been invited back to the retrofitted bar to participate in the game. The game is No-Limit Texas Hold ‘em with the Familiar faces of Max, Strong Bad, The Heavy and Tycho.
Telltale Games originally produced the high-stakes poker game that was removed from sale in 2019. Skunkape Games has raised it from the grave, given it new life, and a fresh coat of paint. These guys are a group of former Telltale employees who have also remastered the Sam and Max series. They have returned the game to its former glory and then some, with bug fixes, an overhaul of the poker simulation, and improved gameplay.
As a fan of this game, I was sad to see it disappear from the store in 2019. It has, however, now returned looking great and settling back into its well-earned spot in my game’s library. I have been having an almost nightly game with my old friends, losing so much money and at least three of my internal organs. The game has been revamped by the crew at Skunkape, and it now plays well, with controller support and a few additional polish touches to the gameplay and experience.
This game is a fun dive into Texas hold ‘em poker, a game I soon realised I am not so great at. Luckily, there is a tutorial, and I was able to succeed after only losing a house deposit’s worth of in-game cash. The game’s simple nature is part of its appeal. Head into the inventory, join the game with the easily recognisable crew, bet and bluff your way into beating the rest of the table and walk away with some cash.
The other games’ mascots will chat idly and aim to beat you. Make your choices carefully and try to beat or bluff the others out of their hard-earned cash. Beating them is as simple as reducing their money to zero, while not doing the same to yourself. Beat them enough to earn in-game and external game loot, including items for TF2, cards and table toppers. These items are reissued versions of those achieved in the original game.
Outside of the poker table is a speakeasy vibe bar, with lofty and melodic music playing in the background as well as idle chatter from the other players. Their lines and dialogue give hints to their cards and what your next move should be. However, they are a tricky bunch and can bluff as well as you. Games last a short while, and the stakes increase throughout the game, including higher buy-ins and minimum bets.
Poker Night at the Inventory is the return of a fan favourite game. It has a comical assortment of familiar characters and a moderately difficult task of beating digital opponents. The remaster of the classic game includes some new additions to Team Fortress 2’s inventory as well as an assortment of card decks and table designs. Each of the characters at the table has a unique personality, and the challenge is to identify their weak spots and exploit them for monetary gain.
(Review code provided to Explosion Network.
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