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

Balatro's PEGI rating revised to 12 after initial PEGI 18 classification sparks controversy.

The roguelike deckbuilder, Balatro, initially received a PEGI 18 rating, a classification typically reserved for mature titles like Grand Theft Auto. This unexpected rating puzzled developers and players alike. However, following an appeal by the publisher to the PEGI ratings board, the game has been reclassified as PEGI 12.

Developer Localthunk announced the news on Twitter, highlighting the publisher's successful appeal. This isn't Balatro's first encounter 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 stemmed from the game's inclusion of gambling-related imagery, leading to an arguably disproportionate comparison to violent content found in games like GTA. This misclassification extended to mobile platforms, despite the prevalence of in-app purchases in many mobile games.

While the revised PEGI 12 rating is a welcome correction, the initial misjudgment highlights potential inconsistencies in rating systems. For those interested in trying Balatro, a tier list of Jokers within the game is available to guide players on which cards offer the most strategic advantage.