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Mortal Kombat Banned In Australia

by Matthew Kato on Feb 25, 2011 at 04:53 AM

Australia has a long history of banning the sale of mature-rated ESRB games, and now Mortal Kombat is the latest victim.

Warner Bros. has confirmed the ban and released the following statement:

"The highly anticipated video game Mortal Kombat, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) in Australia, has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board and will not release in Australia. We are extremely disappointed that Mortal Kombat, one of the world's oldest and most successful video games franchises, will not be available to mature Australian gamers. WBIE would not market mature content where it is not appropriate for the audience. We understand that not all content is for every audience, but there is an audience for mature gaming content and it would make more sense to have the R18+ classification in Australia. As a member of the iGEA [Interactive Games & Entertainment Association], WBIE is reviewing all options available at this time."

Warner Bros. could appeal the matter, but given the explicit violence in the game, who knows where it will get them.