Mortal Kombat banned in Australia

Featured 84 Comments 20 Votes 5017 Views 25/02/2011 Back to News

Kotaku reports that Mortal Kombat has been refused classification by the OFLC, and effectively banned in Australia.

Warner Bros., the game's publisher, released a statement this afternoon. "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, WBIE is reviewing all options available at this time."

It is not yet clear why it has been refused classification.

Link to us http://tv.mmgn.com/News/Mortal-Kombat-banned-in-Austra

News Article by: Ben 198675Kudos 25/02/2011

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Mortal Kombat banned in Australia Comments

Kudos: 241,805

Beta

It's been refused because God hates Australia.

25/02/2011

Le Melbourne

Kudos: 101,713

Mirage

MOTHER ****ING **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****IDY **** **** THIS IS ****ING STUPID FFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU Mortal Kombat banned in Australia

25/02/2011

（╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ | ┬──┬ ノ( ゜-゜ノ) | ┻━┻ ︵ ("\(°□°)/") ︵ ┻━┻

Kudos: 26,227

Vile

Importer says what.

25/02/2011

| **** hillsong, shoot meth. | http://www.youtube.com/user/deathmetalfan19 |

Kudos: 101,713

Mirage

Yeah, definitely importing it now.

25/02/2011

（╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ | ┬──┬ ノ( ゜-゜ノ) | ┻━┻ ︵ ("\(°□°)/") ︵ ┻━┻

Kudos: 1,646

SlappyWag

Vile said: Importer says what.

ZING! This is so ******* ridiculous. Pansy ass mother-*******

25/02/2011

I need about tree fitty.

Kudos: 12,461

DaNoSaUr

[Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Facepalm]

25/02/2011

Canberra

Kudos: 12,617

abujaffer

And people wonder why piracy is so rampant.... high prices, delays, bans, ****ty rating system, etc. [Facepalm]

25/02/2011

3D world... where everything, even flat stuff, are in 3D.

Kudos: 101,713

Mirage

Just to save you guys some time:

www.zavvi.com/...

www.thehut.com/...

^^ $~63

www.play-asia.com/...

~$67, not sure if its region free.

www.ozgameshop.com/...

$54

25/02/2011

（╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ | ┬──┬ ノ( ゜-゜ノ) | ┻━┻ ︵ ("\(°□°)/") ︵ ┻━┻

Kudos: 38,356

WiiSUME1up

OMG GGGGGGGGGGG gonna rage... it was next game i was looking forward tooo... MUTHAF............ [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage]

25/02/2011

Jersey Shore

Kudos: 308,518

Kenni

That's a real bitch. OFLC cockblocks many Aussie gamers yet again.

25/02/2011

[California, U.S] - ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ

Kudos: 3,837

geno

all well looks like ill just be sending my money overseas and fuelling foreign economy cause im gona import this son o a bitch

25/02/2011

brisbane, qld

Kudos: 13,991

bylim5

I HATE AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never been in the position to import banned games, but what if I do?

25/02/2011

3DS Friendcode: 1203 9235 9466

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

That's what they did with FEAR 2 initially, then WB "bribed"[?] them and released the game [MOG]

Customs is watching this thread! :E

Kenni said: That's a real bitch. OFLC cockblocks many Aussie gamers yet again.

Must be Rule# 34 ;O

25/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...

Kudos: 14,796

stygiaN_

geno said: all well looks like ill just be sending my money overseas and fuelling foreign economy cause im gona import this son o a bitch

Like.

25/02/2011

I now have a stupid comment like everyone else.

Kudos: 7,057

Boganhobo

4 more years then i'm out :D

25/02/2011

PSN: FAMGUYFREAK2112

Kudos: 7,377

Skelerax

Pfft, this won't last, tonnes of cash involved, OFLC will get a slap from a shot-caller and be told to shove it through under MA, week maybe two weeks from now it'll be overturned publicly citing some crap like "the decision has been successfully appealed" even though nobody did.

25/02/2011

I eat babies, your babies.

Kudos: 14,878

Seanybruz

That's bullshit it's been ages since a games been banned hopefully it's like Skelerex said above & they end up being overruled.

25/02/2011

Adelaide

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

JB and EB were quick to take it off their website! :O

25/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...

Kudos: 7,377

Skelerax

The fact that Splatterhouse was classified MA in all its rectum-ripping glory shows exactly what kind of sham they're running here, that game was screaming to be banned, but nothing, not even a peep, classified without incident. Why you ask? Nobody cared, not a big release, prolly me and two other guys bought it.

It's exactly what happened with Alien vs Predator, big title, big buzz, gets banned, got appealed, nothing changed and yet suddenly they just flip-flopped and classified it.

It's all a show, I don't know who the show benefits, but I bet it's someone with money and with so many people standing to rake in the cash from sales, I really can't see this being workable, this is one time I'm glad corporations are secretly running the world.

25/02/2011

I eat babies, your babies.

Kudos: 68,791

GreenThumb

Kenni said: That's a real bitch. OFLC cockblocks many Aussie gamers yet again.

Lucky American [Shifty]

25/02/2011

ThePsychWard. "One Bullet Can Change History"

Kudos: 101,713

Mirage

Skelerax said: It's exactly what happened with Alien vs Predator, nobody appealed, nothing changed and yet suddenly they just flip-flopped and classified it.
It's all a show, I don't know who the show benefits, but I bet it's someone with money and with so many people standing to rake in the cash from sales, I really can't see this being workable, this is one time I'm glad corporations are secretly running the world.

I believe SEGA re appealed the ban due to the outcry.

25/02/2011

（╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ | ┬──┬ ノ( ゜-゜ノ) | ┻━┻ ︵ ("\(°□°)/") ︵ ┻━┻

Kudos: 11,889

optimusgoz

WHAT WHAT WHAT

25/02/2011

NSW, Australia. And sexy.

Kudos: 1,369

cjjddr

[Shifty] that won't stop me from getting it. OFLC can go to hell. =_=

25/02/2011

Brisbane, Australia. PSN: zytron512

Kudos: 7,377

Skelerax

Mirage said:
Skelerax said: It's exactly what happened with Alien vs Predator, nobody appealed, nothing changed and yet suddenly they just flip-flopped and classified it.
It's all a show, I don't know who the show benefits, but I bet it's someone with money and with so many people standing to rake in the cash from sales, I really can't see this being workable, this is one time I'm glad corporations are secretly running the world.

I believe SEGA re appealed the ban due to the outcry.

Ah, well it'll get overturned again whether anyone appeals or not, it's just too much money, the suits won't allow it.

25/02/2011

I eat babies, your babies.

Kudos: 13,120

PS3K

I did not see this coming, especially when retailers are taking preorders for it.

25/02/2011

Sydney

Kudos: 4,284

MrMoo

Mirage said: Yeah, definitely importing it now.

If you do, Customs might come knocking at your door instead of Australia Post, since it is actually against the law to import it because of it getting added to the banned list of games.

25/02/2011

Location removed

Kudos: 11,889

optimusgoz

got an email from jb. apparently since it was unanimous, they cant appeal.

anyone know of a uk retailer doing the special editions?

25/02/2011

NSW, Australia. And sexy.

Kudos: 101,713

Mirage

Doubt they will knock on my door. The worst they can do is hold the game, send me a fine and ask if I wanna go to court to appeal them seizing it.

25/02/2011

（╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ | ┬──┬ ノ( ゜-゜ノ) | ┻━┻ ︵ ("\(°□°)/") ︵ ┻━┻

Kudos: 11,889

optimusgoz

mate who got me the US dead space 2 CE just offered to help again, sweeeet

[Derp] [Derp] [Derp]

25/02/2011

NSW, Australia. And sexy.

Kudos: 14,796

stygiaN_

Hmm. Idea guys?

I'm going to London in June.

If I buy it there, and bring it back in my suitcase, am I going to get my ass reamed out?

PS. GAME are still advertising it. Lazy publicists?
www.game.com.au/...

25/02/2011

I now have a stupid comment like everyone else.

Kudos: 14,878

Seanybruz

I didn't notice this article "O'Conner: R18+ Rating for Australia Possible in July" n4g.com/... but we need it now! all of a sudden Mortal Kombats banning has made me want the game (much like Fallout 3 :P) my guess it's a conspiracy to build hype [Shifty]

25/02/2011

Adelaide

Kudos: 994

Luke1993

MrMoo said:
Mirage said: Yeah, definitely importing it now.

If you do, Customs might come knocking at your door instead of Australia Post, since it is actually against the law to import it because of it getting added to the banned list of games.

um no they won't they will av to check it first and i have imported heaps of banned games and they haven't knocked yet

Seanybruz said: I didn't notice this article "O'Conner: R18+ Rating for Australia Possible in July" n4g.com/... but we need it now! all of a sudden Mortal Kombats banning has made me want the game (much like Fallout 3 ) my guess it's a conspiracy to build hype

yet the snes version made it through and the ps2 ones aswell

25/02/2011

Adelaide

Kudos: 7,542

KieranT878

25/02/2011

☺☺ ♥ /|\./|\ ┴ ┴

Kudos: 2,885

Coffey

Absolute bs, definitely be play-Asia-ing MK

25/02/2011

Sydney [ PSN - MagicJiB ] [ SSBB - 3866-9448-7316 ]

Kudos: 21,043

DarkEnemy

This is bull **** [Rage] Importing!

25/02/2011

Sydney

Kudos: 5,488

McQueen

Not worrying, this just encourages imports.

25/02/2011

NSW

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

Luke1993 said:
Seanybruz said: I didn't notice this article "O'Conner: R18+ Rating for Australia Possible in July" n4g.com/... but we need it now! all of a sudden Mortal Kombats banning has made me want the game (much like Fallout 3 ) my guess it's a conspiracy to build hype

yet the snes version made it through and the ps2 ones aswell

The SNES version was censored. No blood....color anyway. Whereas the MegaDrive version did! [WTF]

25/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...

Kudos: 159,685

M@ndyz

Gaetano said: It's been refused because God hates Australia.

^^^^^ this

25/02/2011

They say great science is built on the shoulders of giants - not here. At Aperture we do all our science from scratch; no hand holding.

Kudos: 308,518

Kenni

GreenThumb said: Lucky American

Yeah, but it's going to be major tits boring if I have nobody to compare achievements with. [Rage]

25/02/2011

[California, U.S] - ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ

Kudos: 7,377

Skelerax

www.trmk.org/...

Updates on the story.

So yeah like Mirage said it looks like there will be no appeals because of the unanimous decision, I still refuse to believe that this revenue will just be let go by the industry and I'm damn certain NRS will not edit MK for this shitty backward country, so we'll just have to wait and see, gonna be a lot of importing if it the banning stands.

Grow up Australia, seriously.

25/02/2011

I eat babies, your babies.

Kudos: 174,840

sjt333

MrMoo said:
Mirage said: Yeah, definitely importing it now.

If you do, Customs might come knocking at your door instead of Australia Post, since it is actually against the law to import it because of it getting added to the banned list of games.

against the law to buy, not own

25/02/2011

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 37,894

Snix

That's absolutely ridiculous! For **** sake, when is this going to end? I wasn't planning on buying this, but i'm gonna import it now just to spite Australia.

25/02/2011

"The most hypocritical, power abusive mod on this site." ~ Rivalz

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

Customs won't go knocking down your door, they'll just send you a letter stating that you bought something "illegal" and that is has been destroyed/confiscated and attach a heavy fine with the letter ^_^

25/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...

Kudos: 2,172

Codeman34

Mad Gamer is mad! =_= =_=
Now I must buyz it from teh E Bayz.

25/02/2011

http://lbp.me/u/CodemanPSX

Kudos: 68,791

GreenThumb

Matrix6 said: Customs won't go knocking down your door, they'll just send a SWAT team instead.

Kenni said:
GreenThumb said: Lucky American
Yeah, but it's going to be major tits boring if I have nobody to compare achievements with.

Compare with Aussies because we are better than Americans ;)

25/02/2011

ThePsychWard. "One Bullet Can Change History"

Kudos: 4,284

MrMoo

The only way Australia is getting this now, is if they delay the release of the game globally and modify every countries version to suit our rating system.

25/02/2011

Location removed

Kudos: 7,542

KieranT878

Everything is always banned in Australia [Rage] [Rage] [Rage]

25/02/2011

☺☺ ♥ /|\./|\ ┴ ┴

Kudos: 26,227

Vile

Mirage said: Just to save you guys some time:
www.zavvi.com/...
www.thehut.com/...
^^ $~63
www.play-asia.com/...
~$67, not sure if its region free.
www.ozgameshop.com/...
$54

hahahahaha typical mirage.

25/02/2011

| **** hillsong, shoot meth. | http://www.youtube.com/user/deathmetalfan19 |

Kudos: 34,852

Rashy

Gaetano said: It's been refused because God hates Australia.

No I don't.

25/02/2011

Sydney

Kudos: 68,791

GreenThumb

KieranT878 said: Everything good is always banned in Australia

Yes, Yes it is.

25/02/2011

ThePsychWard. "One Bullet Can Change History"

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

GreenThumb said:
Matrix6 said: Customs won't go knocking down your door, they'll just send a SWAT team instead.

Kenni said:
GreenThumb said: Lucky American
Yeah, but it's going to be major tits boring if I have nobody to compare achievements with.

Compare with Aussies because we are better than Americans

I wish....I mean, only in Kennirica! Mortal Kombat banned in Australia

25/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...

Kudos: 308,518

Kenni

Which I approve. [Shifty]

25/02/2011

[California, U.S] - ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ

Kudos: 19,562

ZePpLiNs

The game series that 'forced' ratings for games gets banned...
OH THE IRONY!!!
Anyway, I am slightly pissed off about this.

25/02/2011

Melbourne

Kudos: 7,377

Skelerax

We are seriously living in 1995 right now.

25/02/2011

I eat babies, your babies.

Kudos: 25,280

stonecold

Well the Predictable happened

25/02/2011

Kudos: 1,552

gammaray13

We are seriously living in 1995 right now.

1995 i wish i think you mean 1925 when they banned booze, ****ing Australian gov. are full of shit,
we cant drive how we like
cant drink
cant smoke
they tax on sex by making us wear condoms
they make our life a living hell well lets stand up to them and make a stand and tell them to **** off..... [Rage]
[Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage]

26/02/2011

Crows - Best Team in the AFL

Kudos: 48,813

SONY

RRRRRRRAAAAAGEEEE WINS...FATALITY!!! [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage] [Rage]

25/02/2011

MMGN SONY PlayStation Vita club legends: Vinzor - davidhes - abuu - SONY - LMA0 - Flame_PSP - mong

Kudos: 31,502

DK-maTTy

optimusgoz said: mate who got me the US dead space 2 CE just offered to help again, sweeeet

Nice :D

25/02/2011

Modded 360: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110739460635?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Kudos: 63,419

XxmadmanxX

W******

25/02/2011

Lawl Guyver Ajajajaja

Kudos: 11,889

optimusgoz

you know what? im actually tempted to start buying ALL my games from the UK. **** this place. we should all start doing it. no worries with DLC, all the same region. sure we'd have to wait longer but who cares. maybe when they start losing a noticeable amount of money they'll take notice.

25/02/2011

NSW, Australia. And sexy.

Kudos: 4,088

punk

I wonder what this is going to do to the online matches for australian users? effectively killing it for those importing it? Sure you'll have a few aussie users but still.

Shame this game looked really good.

26/02/2011

Kudos: 40,760

I<3HW

26/02/2011

Brisbane.

Kudos: 48,813

SONY

Importing = Lag festival if there aren't dedicated servers

G'day mate

26/02/2011

MMGN SONY PlayStation Vita club legends: Vinzor - davidhes - abuu - SONY - LMA0 - Flame_PSP - mong

Kudos: 13,544

Mystogun

i predicted this was going to happen
OFLC "what the hell was that"
MK "a face lift"
OFLC "of what standerd?"
MK "kratos's standerd"

26/02/2011

LOST in skyrim

Kudos: 7,479

Victorian

Cockheads.

Get a real job.

26/02/2011

FRANK THE TANK

Kudos: 140

1ukewarm

oh well. i'll get family to buy it for me from NZ.

26/02/2011

Brisbane

Kudos: 17,393

grkboxa

i knew this was going to happen.

26/02/2011

Melbourne, Victoria

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

1ukewarm said: oh well. i'll get family to buy it for me from NZ.

i think, if it's banned here, it's banned in NZ as well!?

26/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...

Kudos: 617

CptAwesome

they are truly retards. they really think banning it changes anything???

Option 1: import from UK (most popular)
Option 2: modchip xbox and download game
Option 3: move the **** out of australia

i mean, its a lose-lose-lose for them, right? meh, either way, im playing this game, as are most of you, and they cant stop us.

26/02/2011

Kudos: 48,813

SONY

Matrix6 said:
1ukewarm said: oh well. i'll get family to buy it for me from NZ.

i think, if it's banned here, it's banned in NZ as well!?

NZ have an R18+ Games classification rating whereas Australia don't.

26/02/2011

MMGN SONY PlayStation Vita club legends: Vinzor - davidhes - abuu - SONY - LMA0 - Flame_PSP - mong

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

S0NY said:
Matrix6 said:
1ukewarm said: oh well. i'll get family to buy it for me from NZ.

i think, if it's banned here, it's banned in NZ as well!?

NZ have an R18+ Games classification rating whereas Australia don't.

Yes, but NZ gets their games from us and essentially affects them when "our" games get censored or banned! NZ only received the "censored" version of GTAIV. Fallout 3 and FEAR 2 were also going to be banned there if F3 wasn't edited or if the ruling for FEAR 2 wasn't overturned. What we get NZ gets too....or not get.

Supposedly, Australia isn't getting Two Worlds II because Tapware isn't distributing it here, and NZ won't be getting it either.

26/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...

Kudos: 3,728

Cryman

just order from the U.S.A God Bless the U.S.A

Matrix6 said:
S0NY said:
Matrix6 said:
1ukewarm said: oh well. i'll get family to buy it for me from NZ.

i think, if it's banned here, it's banned in NZ as well!?

NZ have an R18+ Games classification rating whereas Australia don't.

Yes, but NZ gets their games from us and essentially affects them when "our" games get censored or banned! NZ only received the "censored" version of GTAIV. Fallout 3 and FEAR 2 were also going to be banned there if F3 wasn't edited or if the ruling for FEAR 2 wasn't overturned. What we get NZ gets too....or not get.
Supposedly, Australia isn't getting Two Worlds II because Tapware isn't distributing it here, and NZ won't be getting it either.

NZ never got the censored version of GTA IV, they chucked up a stink and got the unedited, from day one!

27/02/2011

Just before the Story Bridge

Kudos: 26,862

Lekkers

www.gopetition.com/...

Unban Petition. SIGN IT!

27/02/2011

iLy AlL My MmGn BeBz. <3 KeRo, MiLkToN, ViLe, RaRo. BebZ 4 LyF

Kudos: 4,758

LeGaCy88

just hope that sites like gamelane and dungeon crawl do the hard work for us instead [MOG]

27/02/2011

Sydney

Kudos: 3,871

TK429

Lekkers said: www.gopetition.com/...
Unban Petition. SIGN IT!

Do this things EVER work!? [Shifty]

27/02/2011

Sydney, NSW

Kudos: 26,862

Lekkers

TK429 said:

Lekkers said: www.gopetition.com/...
Unban Petition. SIGN IT!

Do this things EVER work!?

Yeah dude, just not very often haha. Take a few minutes out of your time though dude.

My mum actually just stopped an old trail from getting suburbanized via 10,000 signatures and taking it to the local council sooooo...

27/02/2011

iLy AlL My MmGn BeBz. <3 KeRo, MiLkToN, ViLe, RaRo. BebZ 4 LyF

Kudos: 7,542

KieranT878

Lekkers said: www.gopetition.com/...
Unban Petition. SIGN IT!

Signed it before you even posted it [MOG]

27/02/2011

☺☺ ♥ /|\./|\ ┴ ┴

Kudos: 68,791

GreenThumb

Lekkers said:
TK429 said:

Lekkers said: www.gopetition.com/...
Unban Petition. SIGN IT!

Do this things EVER work!?

Yeah dude, just not very often haha. Take a few minutes out of your time though dude.
My mum actually just stopped an old trail from getting suburbanized via 10,000 signatures and taking it to the local council sooooo...

But this is about a game...

27/02/2011

ThePsychWard. "One Bullet Can Change History"

Kudos: 26,862

Lekkers

@greenthumb true, but no harm in doing it.

27/02/2011

iLy AlL My MmGn BeBz. <3 KeRo, MiLkToN, ViLe, RaRo. BebZ 4 LyF

Kudos: 5,023

DPkrass

a clear import!

28/02/2011

Brunswick, Melbourne

Kudos: 4,308

kiryuu

Importing... btw its not illegal to buy and own rc games.

28/02/2011

Kudos: 70,000

Matrix6

Goes mental at 0:30 sec mark! [monkey]

Get the Adobe Flash Player to see this video.
www.youtube.com/...

Ed Boon’s thoughts on Mortal Kombat in Australia

Taking to Twitter, Mr. Boon explained that, even though the team at NetherRealm were working late into Sunday night, they were “excited” about the game, and promised “TONS of unannounced stuff”. And he has to get that finished early, because…

…then we gotta roll up our sleeves and make an rated-E version for our friends down under! ;)

=_=

28/02/2011

Yo habría sido completo, total y perdidamente enamorada de ti...