Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, has received a significant reclassification by the PEGI ratings board, moving from a PEGI 18 to a PEGI 12 rating. This decision follows an appeal by Balatro's publisher and addresses concerns that initially placed the game alongside 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 controversy. The game was briefly removed from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns about its depiction of gambling mechanics, despite the fact that no real-money transactions or betting is involved. The in-game currency is purely used for purchasing additional cards within each playthrough.
The PEGI 18 rating, in part, stemmed from the game's use of gambling-related imagery, such as depictions of card hands. This led to an arguably disproportionate comparison to the content found in games like GTA. Frustratingly, this incorrect classification also affected 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 inconsistencies and challenges developers face in navigating different rating systems. For those intrigued by Balatro after this saga, be sure to check out our tier list of Jokers to help guide your card selection strategy.
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