Nintendo To Publish Australia’s First Ever R 18+ Videogame

The Australian Government Classification Board has finally created a new adult category for games that went into effect on January 1st—the R 18+ rating, which will allow retailers to sell violent and controversial videogames for the first time in the territory.

The R 18+ rating is the equivalent of the ESRB’s “M” rating and the PEGI’s 18+ rating. Under territory laws, it is illegal to sell R 18+ games to individuals below 18 years of age.

Ironically, the very first game released under the R 18+ rating in Australia will be published by Nintendo.

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge for the Wii U is slated for release in Australia in the near future, and VOOKS.net report that the game has been given the R 18+ rating due to “violence that is high in impact because of its frequency, high definition graphics, and emphasis on blood effects”.

The original Ninja Gaiden 3, which featured a lack of series staple features such as dismemberment, was released in Australia under the MA15+ rating on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

“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),” the Classification Board’s statement reads.