Balatro reclassified as PEGI 12 by ratings board after appeal by publisher

Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, has received a PEGI rating reclassification, moving from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12. This decision, following an appeal by the publisher to the ratings board, addresses concerns that initially placed Balatro in the same category as mature titles like Grand Theft Auto. The initial PEGI 18 rating surprised many, including the developer Localthunk, who announced the change on Twitter.

This isn't Balatro's first brush with regulatory issues; it was briefly removed from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns about its depiction of gambling mechanics. Despite the game not involving real money or betting, the use of in-game currency to purchase cards was apparently misinterpreted.

The PEGI 18 classification, largely attributed to the game's gambling-related imagery (such as depictions of card hands), also impacted Balatro's mobile availability. This highlights inconsistencies in content rating across platforms, especially considering the prevalence of in-app purchases in mobile gaming.

While the reclassification to PEGI 12 is a positive development, it underscores the need for clearer guidelines and consistent application of rating criteria.

Intrigued? Consider checking out our Balatro Joker tier list to help you strategize your gameplay.