Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge is Australia’s First R18+ Rated Game

We thought it might happen, but today it’s been confirmed. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge for the Wii U has been given the honour of Australia’s first R18+ rated computer game. The irony that a Nintendo system has the first R18+ game is not lost on any one.

The news came in this morning early via Twitter, but we now have a press release from the Australian Government Classification Board which explains some more details about why it was.

“Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge contains violence that is high in impact because of its frequency, high definition graphics, and emphasis on blood effects.” The Director of the Classification Board, Ms Lesley O’Brien tells us.

“Under the Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games, R 18+ computer games will have a high impact and it is for this reason that these games are not suitable for under 18s,”

The original Ninja Gaiden 3 was released in Australia as a MA15+ rating, however Razor’s Edge along with changing and fixing the game for the better includes much more violence. There’s more executions styles and this version of the game features dismemberment. Something the Classification Board don’t really like all to much.

Under state and territory laws it is illegal to sell R 18+ computer games to people under 18.

Now all we need is a release date from Nintendo Australia, the game is out in Europe today and was released at launch in the US.

Update: We emailed Nintendo Australia for a statement and there isn’t one yet, we also also about the release date for the game now given its classification. We sadly got the ‘We don’t have anything to announce regarding release date at the current time.’ line, which means we could get something soon or it’s weeks away.

Press Release

[quote]Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge’ first R 18+ computer game in Australia
The Director of the Classification Board, Ms Lesley O’Brien announced today that Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge was the first computer game in Australia to be classified R 18+ in the newly created adult category.

The Classification Board classified the game R 18+ (Restricted) with consumer advice of ‘High impact bloody violence’.

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge is an action adventure game for the Nintendo Wii U console in which players assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa, a cursed ninja battling a terrorist organisation.

Ms O’Brien said computer games classified R 18+ are legally restricted to adults.

“Under the Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games, R 18+ computer games will have a high impact and it is for this reason that these games are not suitable for under 18s,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge contains violence that is high in impact because of its frequency, high definition graphics, and emphasis on blood effects.”

When making decisions about computer games, the Classification Board must use the criteria set out in the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games Act) 1995, the National Classification Code and the Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games.

The new Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games came into effect on 1 January 2013. Prior to then, Australia did not have an adult category for computer games.
Under state and territory laws it is illegal to sell R 18+ computer games to people under 18.

An application to classify Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge was received by the Classification Board on 3 January 2013 from Nintendo Australia Pty Ltd and the decision was finalised today (11 January). It was classified M (for ages 17 and over) by the Entertainment Rating Software Board (ESRB) in the United States and 18+ by the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) Scheme which covers most of Europe and the United Kingdom.

‘I encourage consumers to use the National Classification Database to find out about the classifications of computer games,’ Ms O’Brien said.
The database is on the classification website at www.classification.gov.au.[/quote]

Press Release via: IGEA