Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, for Wii U.

Yes, that’s right, in a media release today the Director of the Classification Board, Ms Lesley O’Brien, announced 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 game was rated R18+ (Restricted) because the ACB (Australian Classification Board) ruled the game has ‘High impact bloody violence.’

“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. She goes on to say, “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 latter quote brings up an interesting question, if Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge wasn’t in “high definition” would it be classified R18+? I doubt it, but it is an interesting thought.

The new Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games came into effect on 1 January 2013.

What do you mean this got an R18+ rating? How is that even possible, it’s raining tomato sauce isn’t it?

Analog Addiction would like to remind readers that “Under state and territory laws it is illegal to sell R 18+ computer games to people under 18.”

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge (Wii U) 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.

So it’s official, a R18+ rating is now in Australia for video games. This is yet another step forward for video games in Australia. Keep reading Analog Addiction for the latest news on R18+ in Australia.

Source- IGN

Nathan Manning is an Editor for AnalogAddiction. He thinks it’s about time Australia got an R18+ rating, and so should you. You can find him on Twitter.