Nen Impact in Australia? Not Anymore

Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, the anticipated fighting game, has been banned in Australia by the Australian Classification Board, receiving a Refused Classification (RC) rating on December 1st. The Board offered no explanation for this surprising decision.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Banned Down Under

Refused Classification: A Game's Australian Exile

While the reasons for an RC rating are generally clear, the decision regarding Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact is unexpected. The game's launch trailer depicts typical fighting game fare, devoid of explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or drug use. However, unshown content might be responsible for the ban. Alternatively, clerical errors could be the culprit, potentially rectifiable to allow for reclassification.

Second Chances and Past Precedents

Australia's history with game bans and subsequent reversals is well-documented. Numerous games, from the early days of Pocket Gal 2 to more recent titles like The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (initially banned but later reclassified after edits), have experienced this process.

The Classification Board, despite its stringent standards, is open to reconsidering its decisions. Games that undergo edits, censorship, or provide sufficient justifications for their content can see their RC ratings overturned. Examples include Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (initially refused but later accepted after addressing its depiction of drug use) and Outlast 2 (which secured an R18+ rating after removing a scene of sexual violence).

Therefore, the Australian ban isn't necessarily the final word for Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact. The developer or publisher could appeal the decision by justifying the content or making adjustments to meet classification guidelines. The possibility of a future release in Australia remains open, contingent on addressing the Board's concerns.