Entertainment Software Ratings Board gives Manhunt 2 for PC an “Adults Only” rating

Rockstar’s always controversial Manhunt series is back in the news. The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) currently lists the PC version of the game with an “Adults Only” rating. The console version of Manhunt 2, released in 2008, initially received the same rating before Rockstar made changes that earned the game a “Mature” rating.

The 2008 game was banned in the United Kingdom and Australia because of its violent content. That led everyone from anti-violent game activist Jack Thompson to Sen. Hillary Clinton into battle to get the game banned in the states.

Lost somewhere in the controversy was the revelation that violence and public outcry aside, Manhunt 2 wasn’t a very good game. Game Rankings lists the Wii version at an average press rating of 59.95 percent (as of August 26, 2009).

The “AO” rating makes it almost impossible to get a console game onto store shelves. First, the three major console manufacturers won’t license “AO” games. Major retailers including GameStop won’t touch them. Putting the unaltered game on PC gets around console licensing but still brings up the issue of where consumers could even buy the game.

Read [Joystiq] Via [GamePolitics]