Balatro Reclassified to PEGI 12 Following Publisher's Successful Appeal

• Balatro now rated PEGI 12 after ratings board revises initial decision
• New rating aligns it more closely with its intended audience
• PEGI 18 previously likened its content to mature titles like Grand Theft Auto

Avid readers may remember last year’s surprising news about Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, receiving a PEGI 18 rating. This placed it on par with mature titles like Grand Theft Auto, leaving fans and the developer puzzled.

PEGI has since corrected its stance, reclassifying Balatro as PEGI 12, a rating many consider more fitting. Developer Localthunk shared on Twitter that this change followed an appeal by Balatro’s publisher to the ratings board.

This isn’t the first time Balatro has faced scrutiny. It was temporarily removed from the Nintendo eShop due to perceived gambling elements, despite lacking real-money betting or winnings. In-game currency serves only as an abstract resource for purchasing cards during gameplay.

The original PEGI 18 rating stemmed from gambling-like imagery, equating Balatro’s card mechanics to serious themes like vehicular violence in Grand Theft Auto. The concern? Players might learn terms like “straight flush” or “flush.”

This misclassification also impacted mobile platforms, despite their abundance of in-app purchases. While the reclassification is a step forward, many argue the issue should never have arisen.

If this news sparks your interest in Balatro, check out our Joker tier list to discover which game-altering cards are worth your time.