Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, has received a PEGI rating reclassification, moving from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12. This decision, following an appeal by the publisher to the ratings board, corrects an initial assessment that placed Balatro alongside mature titles like Grand Theft Auto, a comparison that baffled both the developer, Localthunk, and many players.
The original PEGI 18 rating stemmed from the game's depiction of gambling-related imagery, despite the lack of real-money transactions or betting. Players use in-game currency to purchase cards, a mechanic misinterpreted as actual gambling. This misclassification also impacted Balatro's mobile availability, highlighting inconsistencies in rating systems across platforms.
Interestingly, Balatro previously faced removal from the Nintendo eShop due to similar concerns about gambling content, despite the purely abstract use of in-game currency. While the PEGI 12 reclassification is a welcome correction, it underscores the need for clearer guidelines and a more consistent approach to rating games with potentially misinterpreted mechanics.
The corrected rating should encourage players to experience Balatro. For those interested, a tier list of Jokers—game-changing cards—is available to help navigate the game's strategic depth.
