Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Banned in Australia, No Reason Given

The Australian Classification Board has issued a surprising Refused Classification rating to the eagerly anticipated fighting game, Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, effectively banning its release in Australia as of December 1. This decision has left fans and industry observers puzzled, as no specific reasons were provided by the board for this stringent classification.

Rated with Refused Classification

The Refused Classification rating signifies that Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact cannot be sold, rented, advertised, or legally imported within Australia. According to the board, content receiving this rating "contains content that is outside generally-accepted community standards and exceeds what can be included in the R 18+ and X 18+ ratings." This classification is typically reserved for content involving extreme violence, sexual activity, or drug use, yet the game's official trailer showed none of these elements, focusing instead on typical fighting game action.

The unexpected nature of this rating suggests that there might be undisclosed content within the game that goes beyond what was showcased in its promotional materials. Alternatively, there could be clerical errors or other issues that, if addressed, might allow the game to be reclassified in the future.

The Australian Classification Board is Open to Second Chances

Australia's history with game bans is not new, with the Classification Board having banned numerous titles since 1996. Notable examples include Pocket Gal 2, banned for its sexual content, and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, which was initially banned but later reclassified to MA 15+ after modifications to a side quest. The board has shown willingness to reconsider its decisions if games are edited or censored to meet community standards.

For instance, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was initially refused classification due to its depiction of drug use but was later deemed acceptable after highlighting the negative consequences of such actions. Similarly, Outlast 2 managed to secure an R18+ rating after removing a scene involving sexual violence.

This precedent offers hope for Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact. The game's developers or publishers have the opportunity to appeal the Refused Classification by justifying the content, censoring specific elements, or making necessary edits to align with Australian classification standards. This could pave the way for the game's eventual release in the Australian market.