Balatro, the whimsical card game, has shed its previously imposed 18+ age rating thanks to a successful appeal. The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) has now classified it as a PEGI 12 game. This significant change followed a complaint by the game’s publisher, Sold Out Sales and Marketing, and highlights the fantastical elements that distinguish the game from more serious gambling titles.

PEGI noted that the game merely explains poker hands and includes fantastical themes rather than real gambling mechanics. In a similar move, another game, ‘Luck Be a Landlord’, has also been reclassified from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12.

The gaming community expressed surprise at Balatro’s 18+ designation, especially given its lack of in-game purchases or direct gambling mechanics. Developer LocalThunk had previously criticized the inconsistency in ratings, particularly noting that other games with transactional elements often received much lower age restrictions.

PEGI has announced plans to introduce a more granular and detailed approach to classification, aiming to differentiate between games that simulate gambling and those that do not, allowing for a fairer and clearer system of ratings.

Additional Content

Alongside this change, Balatro introduced a new crossover pack titled ‘Friends of Jimbo’, incorporating card designs inspired by well-known franchises like Civilization 7 and Fallout, and is now available via Xbox Game Pass. The new content is positioned as complimentary, enhancing the player experience without any associated costs.