GameGuide » Blog Archive » Australia: A History of Banned Games
Video games in Australia cannot be rated R18+ as the rating only exists for film. This has led many games to be edited (to obtain an MA15+ rating) or refused classification. There is currently a debate over the need for the introduction of an R18+ rating in video games fuelled by research that indicates the average age of the Australian video gamer to be 30 years old.
Here’s a current list of games that have been banned or have been edited for release in Australia:
7 Sins Banned because of high impact of sexual references.
50 Cent: Bulletproof Banned because of high impact violence and cruelty. A censored version was later released.[citation needed]
Blitz: The League Banned because of drug use.
BMX XXX Banned because of sexuality and nudity in relation to incentives and rewards. A censored version was later released.
Dark Sector Banned because of high impact violence. A censored version was later released.
Dreamweb Banned because of a scene of sexualized violence. However, the game was censored, and re-released with an M15+ rating in 1996 for “Medium level animated violence.”
Fallout 3 Banned because of in-game drug use. Edited world wide due to the insignificant change that was done. Therefore Australia got the same version as other countries with a MA15+.
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Banned because of high impact violence, Warner bros. interactive later appealed the decision and received an MA15+.
The Getaway Original released uncut, more content was found that was deemed too much for the MA15+ rating. A censored version was later released.
Grand Theft Auto III Banned because of sexual violence. A censored version was later released. PC version was released uncut.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Had its classification revoked following the Hot Coffee controversy and sexual violence. A censored version has since been classified MA15+.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Pre-Censored before submission because of sexual violence. PC version was released uncut.
Grand Theft Auto IV Pre-Censored before submission because of sexual violence. An uncut version was later released for the PC. A patch was later released to completely uncensor the PS3 Version Of the game. The Xbox 360 Version has not received the patch, As it came with The Lost And Damned.
Left 4 Dead 2 Refused classification as it failed to gain a MA15+ rating.
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Banned because of sexuality and nudity in relation to incentives and rewards.
Marc EckM’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Banned because of high impact violence and the glorification of graffiti.
Manhunt Was available for a while but later banned because of high impact scary violence and cruelty.
Manhunt 2 Banned because of high impact scary violence and cruelty.
NARC (2005 update) Banned because of high impact violence and illegal drug use.
Postal 2 Banned because of gross, abhorrent content (urination, high impact violence, animal cruelty, homophobia, etc.)
Phantasmagoria Banned because of high impact violence, cruelty, and a scene of sexual violence involving rape.
Reservoir Dogs Banned because of high impact violence and cruelty.
Risen Banned because of sexual activity and drug use related to incentives or rewards.
Rule of Rose Banned because of high impact violence and cruelty.
Sexy Poker Banned from being released on WiiWare due to nudity used an incentive. This is currently the only banned WiiWare game.
Shellshock: Nam ‘67 Banned because of high impact violence; however, it was re-rated MA15+ by the Classification Review Board in its uncut form, upon appeal.
Silent Hill: Homecoming Banned because of High impact violence such as: Drilling into body parts. Konami has since modified the game to meet MA15+ guidelines.
Singles: Flirt Up Your Life Banned because of sexuality and nudity in relation to incentives and rewards.
Soldier of Fortune: Payback Banned because of high impact violence. Activision has since modified the game to meet MA15+ guidelines.
Tender Loving Care Banned because of high impact violence; however. It was however submitted for rerating and has since been re-rated MA15+.
The Punisher Banned because of high impact violence. Edited worldwide and this edition was passed through with an MA15+. Australia got the same verion as America.
Voyeur Banned because of a scene of explicit sexual dialogue.
In New Zeland the list is much lower, but that may be in part due to the flow on effect of having a game banned in Australia; it’s less likely to be released in New Zeland.
In New Zealand, games are classified by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. If they are dubbed “objectionable” in all cases, then they are considered banned. In this case, the game in question is not only illegal to sell, but illegal to own, possess, or import.
Manhunt Banned because of high impact scary violence and cruelty.
Manhunt 2 Banned because of high impact scary violence and cruelty.
Postal 2 Banned because of gross, abhorrent content (urination, high impact violence, animal cruelty, homophobia, racial/ethnic stereotypes, etc.)
Reservoir Dogs Banned because of high impact violence and cruelty.
