Frequent readers may recall one of the more unusual stories from last year involving Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, which was initially rated PEGI 18 by the ratings board. This classification placed it in the same category as games like Grand Theft Auto, which puzzled many, including the game's developer.
However, the ratings board has since reconsidered and reclassified Balatro as PEGI 12, a more fitting rating. Developer Localthunk announced this change on Twitter, noting that it followed an appeal by Balatro's publisher. This adjustment aligns the game more appropriately with its content.
This isn't the first time Balatro has faced scrutiny from external organizations. It was temporarily removed from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns over its gambling-like elements. Yet, players cannot win real money or place bets in the game; the only use of cash is as an abstract mechanism to purchase more cards during gameplay.
One of the primary reasons for Balatro's initial harsh classification was its depiction of gambling-adjacent imagery. The concern was that players might learn about concepts like a straight flush or a flush. This is frustrating, especially since the PEGI 18 rating also affected mobile platforms, despite the prevalence of in-app purchases across many mobile games. While it's better late than never for this correction, the initial misclassification should not have occurred.
If this news piques your interest in trying Balatro, why not check out our tier list of Jokers? It can help you determine which of these game-changing cards are worth using and which ones to avoid.
