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

Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, has received a significant rating reclassification. Initially assigned a PEGI 18 rating—a designation comparable to games like Grand Theft Auto—it has now been revised to PEGI 12. This decision, announced by developer Localthunk on Twitter, follows an appeal to the PEGI ratings board by Balatro's publisher. The higher rating initially placed Balatro alongside significantly more mature titles, a classification that surprised both the developer and many players.

The PEGI 18 rating stemmed, in part, from the game's depiction of gambling-related imagery. Ironically, Balatro doesn't involve real-money transactions or betting; in-game currency is used solely to purchase cards within each run. This misinterpretation also led to a temporary removal from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns about gambling content. The inconsistent application of these standards is further highlighted by the fact that the PEGI 18 rating carried over to mobile platforms, despite the prevalence of in-app purchases in numerous mobile games.

While the PEGI 12 reclassification is welcomed, the initial misjudgment remains a point of frustration. The incident underscores the challenges developers face navigating varying content rating systems. For those intrigued by Balatro, our tier list of Jokers offers insights into the game's most impactful cards.