Balatro Reclassified to PEGI 12 After Publisher's Appeal

In a recent development, the roguelike deckbuilder game Balatro has been reclassified from PEGI 18 to the more fitting PEGI 12 rating. This adjustment by the ratings board aligns Balatro more appropriately with its content, distancing it from the mature themes typically associated with games like Grand Theft Auto.

Frequent readers might remember the peculiar situation last year when Balatro was initially given a PEGI 18 rating, a decision that puzzled many, including the game's developer. The reclassification to PEGI 12 came after an appeal by Balatro's publisher to the ratings board, as announced by developer Localthunk on Twitter.

Balatro has previously faced challenges from external organizations, notably being temporarily removed from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns over its gambling-like elements. However, it's important to note that the game does not involve real money betting; in-game currency is used solely to purchase cards during gameplay.

The house always winsThe initial PEGI 18 rating was largely due to the game's use of gambling-adjacent imagery, such as references to poker hands like straight flushes. This classification extended to mobile platforms, despite the prevalence of in-app purchases in many mobile games. While the reclassification to PEGI 12 is a welcome correction, it highlights the need for more careful initial assessments by rating boards.

If you're now considering giving Balatro a try, why not check out our tier list of Jokers? It can help you determine which of these impactful cards are worth adding to your deck and which ones to avoid.