Nintendo Wii News | Manhunt 2: No-No for UK & Ireland, Adults Only in US, Rockstar Responds...

Update - Rockstar has now released an official response to the BBFC's decision, as can be seen below:

"We are disappointed with the recent decision by the British Board of Film Classification to refuse classification of Manhunt 2. While we respect the authority of the classification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision.

"Manhunt 2 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers.

"We respect those who have different opinions about the horror genre and video games as a whole, but we hope they will also consider the opinions of the adult gamers for whom this product is intended. We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume. The stories in modern video games are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more."

It has also been revealed that the US rating site ESRB has rated the game as 'Adults Only' for North America.

Stick around for further updates...

Original Story - One of the most anticipated Wii games so far, Manhunt 2 from GTA-makers Rockstar, has officially been given the thumbs-down by the British Board of Film Classification today. According to the BBFC, because of the game's "unremitting bleakness" and "casual sadism", it will not permit the game to hit the UK market...unless Rockstar makes the necessary amendments and re-submits the game for classification.

Check out the full report below:

"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible.

"Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.

"[Manhunt] was classified '18' in 2003, before the BBFC's recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category.

"Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public."

Apparently the last game to be awarded classification was the woeful Carmegeddon back in 1997. However, that ruling was eventually overturned and the terrible game was finally released. Whilst gruesome, all reports point to Manhunt 2 being a very impressive title, so hopefully this will all be resolved in due course.

Stick around for further updates...