GOTY candidate Balatro is a game beloved by millions. Its bizarre mix of wacky Poker-esque gameplay and unique style and humor has captivated players around the globe. It also features zero microtransactions, instead, adding additional cards and collaborations for free. But that doesn’t mean the PEGI rating system feels great about virtual poker. Recently slapping Balatro with a PEGI 18+ rating, LocalThunk has some thoughts.  Screenshot: @LocalT…

Vice

New York

United States

'Balatro' Receives an 18+ PEGI Rating, Unlike Games That Feature Actual Gambling

BALATRO is one of the best games of the year with millions of players, offering an excellent game at an affordable price. The Poker roguelike that was developed by just one person picked up numerous accolades this year, winning three prizes at The Game Awards. Apple / BalatroBalatro asks you to play Poker hands but you don’t bet with either real or in-game currencies[/caption]
EA SportsGames like EA Sports FC ask players to spend real money to p…

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The Sun

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United Kingdom

Balatro developer takes shots at EA FC 25 over child safety and 18+ age rating

Balatro is still stuck with its 18+ rating from PEGI, and its developer is frustrated that other games aren't getting the same treatment.

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Balatro Dev Clowns On PEGI Ratings Criteria As Games With Actual Gambling Are Sold To Kids

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"I should add microtransactions/loot boxes/real gambling to lower that rating".Localthunk, the mysterious developer behind poker-like sensation Balatro, has poked fun at the PEGI age rating debacle which marred its launch. The game was pulled from the PS Store after its age requirement was inexplicably raised from 3+ to 18+ for the use of "prominent gambling imagery." This snafu was ultimately sorted out (in that Balatro was allowed back on cons…

Push Square

Dominant Balatro Dev Pokes Fun at Absurd PEGI Ratings Debacle

"If these other games were rated properly, I'd happily accept the weirdo 18+."

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Balatro dev swings at PEGI for rating it 18+ because of its 'evil playing cards', jokes that he should 'add microtransactions' like EA Sports FC 25 to 'lower that rating to a 3+'

80.lv

LocalThunk Still Unhappy with Balatro's 18+ PEGI Rating

Balatro, which was a runner up for The Game Awards' Game of the Year award, is certainly a popular game. However, for months now it's been plagued with a black mark of sorts on digital storefronts. This, a Pegi 18 rating indicating the game is for adults only, remains after months of pushback, despite other games with real gambling staying up at a 3+ rating. Earlier today, the solo dev of Balatro brought issue to the issue yet again.

VG247

Balatro Dev jokes about adding loot boxes to lower 18 age rating, highlighting the "real gambling" EA Sports FC gets away with

The PEGI rating for Balatro directly points to the use of poker mechanics as a problem, stating that "teaches—through images, information, and gameplay—skills and knowledge used in poker. This knowledge and skill could be moved to a real-life poker game."The hypocrisy that LocalThunk denounces is that EA Sports FC 25, a game with microtransactions in the form of "random card packs and other gambling objects", is apparently suitable for 3 year ol…

La calificación de PEGI para Balatro señala directamente el uso de mecánicas de póker como un problema, afirmando que "enseña—mediante imágenes, información y jugabilidad—habilidades y conocimientos que se usan en el póker. Este conocimiento y habilidad podrían trasladarse a un juego de póker en la vida real." La hipocresía que LocalThunk denuncia radica en que EA Sports FC 25, un juego con microtransacciones en forma de "paquetes de cartas alea…

Balatro critica a PEGI por calificarlo como 18+ por sus 'cartas malvadas' y bromea con añadir microtransacciones como EA Sports FC 25

meneame.net

Balatro criticizes PEGI for classifying it as 18+ for its 'evil letters' and jokes about adding microtransactions like EA Sports FC 25

While a small roguelike poker game that could was enjoying its The Game Awards spotlight, an unfortunate event struck. On X, the Balatro developer revealed that the European game rating board PEGI gave it an 18+ rating. Clad in an eye-searing red box, it’s the highest age rating the organization can slap onto a game. On the other hand, other high-budgeted games infamous for loot boxes, maintain a child-friendly PEGI 3+ rating. Despite not many p…

The Nerd Stash

Balatro's 18+ Rating Exposes PEGI and Game Ratings Failure to Regulate Actual Predatory Microtransaction Practices

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'Balatro' Receives an 18+ PEGI Rating, Unlike Games That Feature Actual Gambling

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