In an interesting turn of events, the roguelike deckbuilder game, Balatro, has been reclassified from PEGI 18 to the more fitting PEGI 12 rating. This adjustment by the ratings board aligns Balatro more closely with games suitable for a younger audience, distancing it from the more mature content found in titles like Grand Theft Auto.

You might remember the initial classification as PEGI 18 last year, which caused quite a stir, especially among the game's developer and fans. The developer, Localthunk, shared on Twitter that the reclassification came after an appeal by Balatro's publisher to the board, highlighting the inappropriateness of the original rating.

Balatro has previously faced scrutiny, notably when it was temporarily removed from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns over gambling content. This decision was perplexing because the game does not allow players to win real money or place bets; the use of 'cash' within the game is merely an abstract mechanic to purchase more cards during gameplay.

The initial PEGI 18 rating stemmed from the game's use of gambling-adjacent imagery, such as references to poker hands like a straight flush or a flush. This led to comparisons with more violent games, which many found frustrating and unfounded, especially given the presence of in-app purchases in many mobile games.

While the reclassification to PEGI 12 is a welcome change, it's clear that the initial rating should never have been applied. If you're now considering giving Balatro a try, why not check out our tier list of Jokers to see which cards can really enhance your gameplay experience?