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AO-rated PC version of Manhunt 2 releasing next week

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 31st 2009 at 1:30PM }

If you thought Manhunt 2 had reached the pinnacle of mature content in video games, you better guess again. The controversy-garnering title will be re-released on Direct2Drive next week for $29.99 -- only this time around, it's packing an AO rating. As those who lived through Mahuntgate surely remember, that was planned to be the original rating for the game, before the ESRB rolled up, and was all like "what? You want to stick shards of glass into another man's ear? No. No, sir."

Rockstar has remained mum about what the new rating will entail, but our guess is that it will incorporate more graphic forms of violence, and perhaps a few extra dirty words. We've contacted Rockstar to get more specific details on the mature-r content, and to find out when we can expect the Early Childhood version of the game to hit store shelves.

[Via Big Download]

ESRB rates 'AO' version of Manhunt 2 for PC

by David Hinkle { Aug 24th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Violent game poster child Manhunt 2 is headed to Windows PC according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board's online database. It appears to contain slightly different content from that found in 2008's M-rated console releases, as the PC entry has been rated "AO - Adults Only." Manhunt 2 initially had an AO rating in the States, but it was later changed to Mature (thus allowing it onto store shelves).

Will the PC game feature all of the stuff that was deemed too mature for consoles? We've put in word to Rockstar for clarification and will update the story when we hear something.

Phew!: Waggle doesn't produce murderers

by Chris Greenhough { Nov 17th 2008 at 10:00PM }

There is a popular viewpoint pushed by those who campaign against the likes of Manhunt 2, and it runs a little like this: motion-controlled on-screen violence is more likely to corrupt players than that which is played through pressing buttons. Senators have used this argument in the past, as have journalists, but they're both wrong. Gloriously, wonderfully wrong. Who says so? Science says so, that's who.

A new study from the labs of Villanova University has revealed that swinging a Wiimote and pressing a button generated the same amount of "hostility and aggressive thoughts in" 118 college students (68 female, 50 male). The participants played either Manhunt 2 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008, with each individual having their levels of "psychoticism" tested before and after play. Nobody completely flipped out, and whether flailing with a controller or pressing a button, levels of hostility remained even -- and thus another anti-gaming myth crumbled.

Gallery: Manhunt2

[Via Game|Life]

Manhunt 2 gets UK release date

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 5th 2008 at 5:30PM }

Readers currently residing in the United Kingdom -- your wait is over. At long last, you'll be able to experience one of 2007's best selling, most critically acclaimed titles -- Rockstar's controversial thriller, Manhunt 2. After being turned down by the British Board of Film Classification for its "unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone," a reworked, SFEurope version of the game will be launched in the UK for the Wii, PS2 and PSP on October 31. We know, we can barely contain our excitement either.

Sure, it may lack a few of the more grisly elements included in the inappropriate North American version, but if your hands are shaking with anticipation as you read this report -- as we're sure they are -- we imagine you'll be able to overlook a few omitted acts of power drill-related violence.

Manhunt 2's extra-scary, extra-late UK date

by JC Fletcher { Oct 3rd 2008 at 8:05PM }

Rockstar has taken a long-form approach to scaring people with Manhunt 2. They've waited very quietly, very still, until everyone in the UK forgot that it was there, and then they JUMPED OUT AND ANNOUNCED A RELEASE DATE! "BOO! Manhunt 2 is coming out on October 31!"

This version of Manhunt 2 is different from the one the US got, having been "heavily reworked" (as IGN describes it) in a desperate bid for BBFC approval. They got the right to release the game in December, but by then Halloween had already passed, and what's the point of releasing a horror game on any other date?

Gallery: Manhunt2

Mad World violence anemic compared to Manhunt 2

by Jason Dobson { Aug 25th 2008 at 9:00AM }

Mad World, with its inky wellspring of monochrome gore, will likely give those opposed to virtual violence another round of ammunition, replacing Manhunt 2 as the industry whipping boy of choice. An unfair comparison, at least according to seasoned game journo Beth Dillon, who cites the controversy magnet's realistic take on violence as much more disturbing than Mad World's "contrasting and beautiful" approach.

There's no question that Mad World will stand out like a bludgeoned thumb among the Wii's more family-friendly library, but Dillon writes that where Platinum Games' upcoming action opus separates itself from Manhunt 2 is in its sense of style. The bigger issue, as she she sees it, is the effect motion-sensitive controls have on players playing violent games -- regardless if they're realistic or more over-the-top -- something we fully expect to have society's ills pinned on the game industry's already swollen posterior for years to come.

Manhunt 2 in the UK: Rockstar knows nothing about it

by Chris Greenhough { Jun 24th 2008 at 11:00PM }

A lengthy, to-and-fro legal battle between the BBFC and Rockstar prevented Manhunt 2 from being released in the UK, with the BBFC eventually giving up and granting the game an "18" certificate in March. Having won its right to ~~lop limbs clean off~~ be released in Britain, it was no surprise that the title appeared in Nintendo's latest European release schedule this morning.

But wait, for there's another twist to this twistiest of sagas! A Rockstar spokesperson contacted Eurogamer earlier today to reveal that it "has no confirmed release date set for Manhunt 2 in Europe." Ho boy. If any Europeans out there are beginning to feel particularly indifferent about Manhunt 2 at this stage, we can't say we blame you.

Gallery: Manhunt2

Wario Land Shake gets dated for Europe, among others

by David Hinkle { Jun 24th 2008 at 11:00AM }

We've been following Wario Land: The Shake Dimension for quite some time now. After the numerous scans and screens, we're about ready to hear something on a release date for the game. Well, as ready as we are in North America, it looks like Europe is the only region with a cemented release for the game. Wario Land: The Shake Dimension will release in Europe on September 26th.

Aside from that game, Nintendo of Europe also dished out release dates for plenty of other Wii games, including Baroque (July 18) and Manhunt 2 (August). To check out the full list, head on past the break.

Continued →

Gamefly sales continue to tempt us

by Candace Savino { Jun 17th 2008 at 7:00PM }

Gamefly is having a sale on some of its used-but-in-great-condition games again, also offering free shipping to spice up the deal a bit. As always, we're passings these savings along to you, while picking out a few we think are worth highlighting for their respective prices:

Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire for $12.99
Dewy's Adventure for $14.99
NiGHTS for $14.99
Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law for $14.99
Manhunt 2 for $14.99
Victorious Boxers: Revolution for $15.99
Soulcalibur Legends for $15.99
Bleach: Shattered Blade for $17.99
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for $27.99
Super Mario Galaxy for $36.99

Click on the picture or "source" link to see the full list of Wii games, but keep in mind that you might be able to find some of them cheaper elsewhere.

Murder training for cheap at Amazon

by Candace Savino { May 15th 2008 at 4:00PM }

Remember all the controversy over Manhunt 2? Now it might be time to see what all the fuss was about, as Amazon has it marked down to $19.99 (for today only). Most people who've played the game would probably agree that it's not worth a purchase at full price, but at half its cost you might be a little bit tempted -- if you're a crazy homicidal murderer, that is, or wish to become one. After all, those are the only kind of people who play Manhunt 2, right?

Also, we think it's a bit of a strange choice for Amazon to offer as a deal. We wonder if they'll be getting an angry letter from Jack Thompson any time soon.

Gallery: Manhunt2

Manhunt 2 UK ban officially lifted

by Scott Jon Siegel { Mar 14th 2008 at 10:40AM }

After a tumultuous history of appeals, appeals, and more appeals, the British High Court has finally lifted the ban on Rockstar's controversial title Manhunt 2. The PS2 and Nintendo Wii versions of the game have been cleared for release in the UK, and will carry an "18" rating.

The Video Appeals Committee has stood its ground regarding the release of the censored version of Manhunt 2, stating that it depicts no greater violence than any other release in Britain bearing an 18 certificate. The British Board of Film Classifications has finally seen the light, so it seems, and recognizes that the title will indeed land on shelves without further interruption.

No word yet on when Manhunt 2 will finally be released in the UK, or if anyone still cares about last year's controversial game.

Manhunt actually getting released in UK

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 14th 2008 at 9:15AM }

The perpetually banned Manhunt 2 will finally be released in the UK, after a lengthy battle against the BBFC. David Cooke, president of the BBFC stated: "As I have said previously, we never take rejection decisions lightly, and they always involve a complex balance of considerations. We twice rejected Manhunt 2, and then pursued a judicial review challenge, because we considered, after exceptionally thorough examination, that it posed a real potential harm risk.

"However, the Video Appeals Committee has again exercised its independent scrutiny. It is now clear, in the light of this decision, and our legal advice, that we have no alternative but to issue an '18' certificate to the game."

Rockstar must be relieved that their game can finally be released -- however, after all the legal battles, we wonder if anyone will buy the poorly-reviewed title.

[Thanks, Bill!]

The Wii's M-rated offerings rounded up

by JC Fletcher { Mar 13th 2008 at 12:45PM }

Did you know that there are currently 17 M-rated games on the Wii? Some of them, like Target Terror, aren't out just yet, and some, like Escape from Bug Island, have already been largely forgotten to history. OMG Nintendo has an interesting look at six of the most important M-rated titles on the system, from No More Heroes to games that aren't No More Heroes. They also delve into some violent "classics" like Time Killers.

Each game gets a short description and a score, but what's interesting to us is that there's a description of the gore content of each game. It reminds us of the bizarre fixation we as gamers (and the game developers) have with violence. If something is "made for adults," we all immediately know why, and are usually right: it's bloody.

Trucha Signer paves the way for game mods

by Eric Caoili { Feb 29th 2008 at 6:00PM }

Presented with a new toy to play with, Wii hackers have gone right to work producing a variety of game mods with the recently released Trucha Signer. For those of you out of the loop, the application allows programmers to run augmented games on chipped Wiis -- the gore-enabled Manhunt 2 mod is a good example of the software's possibilities.

So far, a lot of the developments focus on making it easier to play pirated copies of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but there are a few non-piracy-related modifications, too:

Change the credits and increase character speed in Mario Strikers Charged
Play Manhunt 2 in Italian or German
Swap character movesets in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Invincibility mode in Manhunt 2

So, once you're tired of pirating Super Smash Bros. Brawl, make sure to test these out!

Trucha Signer opens new Wii hacking possibilities

by Eric Caoili { Feb 27th 2008 at 5:00PM }

The Trucha Signer is the latest tool to hit the Wii hacking scene, enables kids at home to "modify the contents of a Wii ISO and then re-sign it with an electronic signature the Wii will accept." So, does this mean you'll be able to play pirated games without modding your console? No, not at all.

From what we understand, whenever someone alters the code of a Wii game, the resulting product will not match its signature, and the disc will be rejected. Using an undocumented bug, Trucha Signer will resign the code of an adapted ISO (disk image for storing data on a CD-ROM), allowing you to load the disc successfully onto a modded Wii. We're not sure yet what's possible with this new development, but we've already heard a wide range of fantasy scenarios -- downgrading firmware, copying VC games, switching regions, etc.

Already, GBAtemp forumer Mr.O has posted instructions for "enabling gore" in Manhunt 2 (chipped Wii required). Keep in mind that Nintendo can patch this exploit at any time with a firmware update.

[Via GBAtemp]