Balatro Wins Rating Appeal, Secures PEGI 12 Rating
Age rating for Balatro game lowered from 18+ to 12 by PEGI
The hit deck-builder game Balatro has finally received the appropriate age rating it deserves. On Monday, game rating organization PEGI announced that it has revised Balatro's age rating from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12 following an appeal by Sold Out Sales and Marketing, the game's publisher.
"The Complaints Board acknowledged that, although Balatro explains the various poker hands, the combined deck-building and roguelike gameplay features mitigating fantastical elements, warranting a PEGI 12 rating," PEGI stated.
PEGI prides itself on implementing ratings criteria fairly, consistently, and transparently. "The PEGI system is continuously refined according to cultural shifts and independent experts' guidance, ensuring fair and accurate game ratings," the organization added.
Balatro's developer, known as localthunk, expressed relief, commenting on X, "PEGI took a progressive stride with this rating adjustment. It brings a much-needed nuance to their criteria, no longer punishing developers unfairly."
Questionable Initial Rating
Shortly after Balatro's launch in January 2024, PEGI handed down an erroneous rating of 18+ due to the game's "prominent gambling imagery." Despite Playstack, the game's publisher, providing clarity on the scoring - which involved no real money or play-money gambling - and securing a 3+ designation, PEGI changed the rating.
At the end of 2024, localthunk spoke out against PEGI and the rating, particularly criticizing the 18+ rating compared to the 3+ rating for the EA Sports FC franchise, which includes loot box mechanics and microtransactions. "If PEGI penalizes us for wicked playing cards, perhaps I should add microtransactions and gambling to drop the rating to 3+ like EA Sports FC,″ localthunk tweeted.
Balatro's Meteoric Rise
Balatro caught the world's attention at the beginning of 2024. building momentum from a limited demo, the game erupted upon its release. Its captivating gameplay earned universal acclaim from players and video game critics alike.
Balatro challenged the giants of the gaming industry by securing nominations for Game of the Year at every significant awards ceremony. This included The Game Awards 2024, making it the first solo project ever nominated for the award.
Although Balatro didn't capture the top prize at any ceremony, it still made a significant impact. It claimed Best Indie Game and Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards, and multiple accolades at the Golden Joystick Awards and the D.I.C.E. Awards.
As of January 2025, Balatro has sold over 5 million copies.
[1] Initially, Balatro was rated 3+, but was later raised to 18+ without reason.[4] Real gambling or in-game purchases are not included in Balatro. Concerns about "prominent gambling imagery" were unfounded.[5] Balatro was initially overshadowed by EA Sports FC despite the latter's loot box mechanics and microtransactions.
- Despite the initial erroneous PEGI 18+ rating for Balatro due to its "prominent gambling imagery," the game did not involve real or play-money gambling.
- Localthunk, the developer of Balatro, criticized the rating, comparing it to the PEGI 3+ rating given to the EA Sports FC franchise that includes loot box mechanics and microtransactions.
- PEGI's rating adjustment of Balatro from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12 was welcomed by localthunk, as they perceived it as a progressive step towards a more nuanced rating criteria and fairer treatment of developers.
