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

Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, has received a revised PEGI rating. Initially classified as PEGI 18—a rating comparable to games like Grand Theft Auto—it has been reclassified as PEGI 12. This decision, following an appeal by the publisher to the PEGI board, places Balatro on a more appropriate rating level.

This isn't Balatro's first encounter with regulatory issues. 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 betting or winnings are involved; in-game currency is used solely to purchase additional cards within each playthrough.

The PEGI 18 rating stemmed largely from the game's use of gambling-related imagery, a misinterpretation that led to a rating seemingly disproportionate to its actual content. This misclassification unfortunately extended to mobile platforms as well, highlighting inconsistencies in rating systems across different platforms.

While the reclassification is a positive development, it underscores the need for clearer guidelines and more consistent application of rating systems. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges developers face in navigating the complexities of game ratings.

Now that Balatro has a more accurate PEGI 12 rating, interested players might want to explore our tier list of Jokers to determine which cards offer the most strategic advantage.