UK's banned Manhunt 2 same as ESRB's M-rated

by Christopher Grant { Oct 12th 2007 at 3:34PM }

Just in case there was any confusion as to whether or not the version of Manhunt 2 The British Board Of Film Classification recently decided was still not appropriate for UK audiences was the same as the retooled version the ESRB granted an M-rating to, MCV reveals that – lo and behold – the two versions presented to the ratings bodies were, in fact, the same.

So, while the ESRB has agreed that the changes, notably the obscuration of some of the more violent animations, were enough to remove the AO-rating, the BBFC still found the game "had not gone far enough." The contradiction that the same ratings board has approved the release of violent films like Hostel 2 is not lost on Rockstar. BBFC spokesperson Sue Clark told MCV, "If we were more tough on games than any other medium, don't you think we'd be banning far more titles? Manhunt 2 is the second game we have rejected in 23 years. I'd hardly call that draconian."

Well Rockstar would. They're set to appeal the BBFC's decision.

Gallery: Manhunt 2 (Wii)

Tags: BBFC, Manhunt2, Rockstar, UK

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

coolforever4537 @ Oct 12th 2007 3:43PM

I feel sorry for the people in the U.K. who have to go through the worst bulls*** when it comes to everything gaming-related.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Oct 12th 2007 3:49PM

From what I've read, that honor would belong to Germany.

Kazi @ Oct 12th 2007 3:54PM

not like manhunt is much of a loss, really.

jamma @ Oct 12th 2007 3:54PM

No borland, it's definitely the UK, where everything is released years later, and at twice the price of the same thing in Europe/US.

p.s. that's honour, with a U thank you very much :p

GRANTED @ Oct 12th 2007 3:56PM

word this game would come and go quietly if it wasn't for the controversy. reminds me of state of emergency.

T3H WICKERMAN (FDF) @ Oct 12th 2007 4:02PM

Dont you EVER remind me of state of emergency again you!

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Oct 12th 2007 4:20PM

@jamma: I'm sorry, I follow the Kyoto treaty on vowel conservation.

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Oct 12th 2007 4:28PM

I agree with that guy Granted,if it wasn't for the controversy no one would give a damn but then again this is Rockstar and for Rockstar there is nothing better than free publicity.

James @ Oct 12th 2007 4:37PM

Uh, Jamma, games don't cost more on the mainland than in England. I have houses out in France, Spain and Poland and on average games cost more. I almost bought Bomberman DS (the first one) in an airport years back thought it might be cheaper in Spain. £19 at home, £35 abroad.

Things might have changed in the years though.

Or maybe France, Spain and Poland are the only countries that charge more? XD

LuckyEMS @ Oct 12th 2007 4:59PM

while more expensive compared to your prices like the article said second game banned in 23 years and im sure i can live without manhunt 2 thats on the wii and PS2 its a fucking last gen game.

Chris @ Oct 12th 2007 4:14PM

second game they banned .... Didnt the BBFC also ban manhunt after a certain incident involving a friend, a hammer, and manhunt.. some1 enlighten me.

This game cant be as bad as those torture films infesting our cinima screens.

Jon @ Oct 12th 2007 6:44PM

Manhunt was never banned. It was a media led event that got facts wrong which led to retailers removing the game from the shelves for a short period of time.

I disagree with this ban by the BBFC, but then again I thought the first Manhunt was awful (gameplay wise), so it isn't much a loss anyway.

flcl @ Oct 12th 2007 4:26PM

no they just looked into it. Turned out the killer never even played the game, it was the victim who had a copy. just jack thompson bullshit.

Timo710 @ Oct 12th 2007 4:31PM

This game will probably never release in the UK, deal.

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Oct 12th 2007 4:34PM

Well Rockstar you know what you have to do keep diluting Manhunt until it get's the "T" Rating.

ssuk @ Oct 12th 2007 5:42PM

The only reason Manhunt 2 isn't rated, is because the BBFC has this kind of bastardised sense of pride. They banned ClockWork Orange for 30 odd years because they refused to review their rating of it, they eventually changed their minds, however. If this isn't a repeat of that scenario here, I would be surprised and after this conveniently timed 'review' of game ratings blows over, BBFC may re-evaluate their stance on the game. Else, wait a few years... See what happens.

Markusdragon @ Oct 12th 2007 6:11PM

Er, actually, didn't they ban Clockwork Orange because Kubrick requested it be banned after receiving death threats? That one had nothing to do with the BBFC.

Mr Khan @ Oct 12th 2007 5:57PM

"Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, Turtles in the half-shell, turtle power!"

This is nothing new for Britain

BPM (FDF - Hypno-Toad) @ Oct 12th 2007 8:35PM

Ninjas are evil, because they weild real, ultimate power. This helps them perform their purpose in life: flip out and kill people.

Heroes, however, do not flip out and kill people. As they lack real, ultimate power.

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Oct 13th 2007 2:56PM

In Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, they wouldn't even let Michaelangelo use his nunchucks, because they were too ninja-like and thus evil. Fuck the BBFC.

cybereality @ Oct 12th 2007 7:51PM

I'm pretty sure they banned more than 2 games. If this is supposed to be the second, then they are just full of it. I recall at least 2 or 3 prior incidents within the past year or so. Specifically for Rule of Rose, but when that happened people were complaining about yet another "banned in the UK" game. So somethings up there.

All this has got me thinking. One day I am going to make a console system that *only* plays mature-rated and adults-only games. If your game is E for everyone, it gets banned. Thats how I roll.

Jon @ Oct 12th 2007 9:07PM

Rule of Rose was not banned by them (it was granted 16+ cert by PEGI). The only other game that was banned was Car Armageddon.

Rule of Rose was cancelled by the publisher because of the UK press.

Neil Christie @ Oct 12th 2007 8:42PM

I am sick to death of this nonsense.

Clearly Rockstar created a game with the INTENT of seeing it "banned" and unrated and in the media. They would have known perfectly well what gets a title rejected.

Now they're complaining because the ratings board is standing up to this sort of marketing stunt? Jesus, what has the gaming world come to when one of the top publishers has to do this to get attention?

As a UK resident I stand firmly behind the BBFC - we don't need this crap on our shelves and I hope that the title stays unrated. Whoever made the decision to go ahead with this at Rockstar should be ashamed.

Sidepocket @ Oct 13th 2007 5:49AM

Guess you guys do not need Hostile, Saw, Fight Club, Shindlers List, Hills Have Eyes, Hellraiser, ect.

ALH @ Oct 13th 2007 5:56AM

they should replace all violence in manhunt2:EUROPE with sexual acts. That way, we get to have a game america can never get because of crazy anti-nipple prudes, and you guys get to get a game we can never get because of our crazy anti violence prudishness

ITS WIN-WIN