The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Balatro was temporarily removed from some European Nintendo Switch eShops in March 2024 after its rating changed to PEGI 18. It returned to sale later that month, and PEGI changed the rating to 12 in February 2025 after a successful publisher appeal. Nintendo’s UK and Spain Switch pages currently show PEGI 12.
What happened to Balatro’s Switch eShop listing?
On 1 March 2024, Nintendo Life reported that Balatro had disappeared from various European Switch eShops after an apparent rating change from PEGI 3 to PEGI 18. The publisher, Playstack, said the game had been temporarily removed from sale on a number of digital stores in some countries on console platforms. The statement did not name every affected country, so the episode should not be described as a confirmed EU-wide delisting. Nintendo Life’s March 2024 report also said the game was back on Switch eShops across Europe, Australia and New Zealand later that month, then carrying the 18+ rating.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Balatro: Special Edition - For Nintendo Switch | $34.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Balatro Special Edition - Compatible for NS - UK PAL | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Hello Neighbor - Nintendo Switch | $19.22 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
Why did PEGI change Balatro’s rating?
The change that triggered the March 2024 storefront interruption was a move to PEGI 18. In February 2025, PEGI confirmed that the rating had been changed from 18 to 12 following an appeal by publisher Sold Out Sales & Marketing. Nintendo Life reproduced PEGI’s statement: “The PEGI 18 rating for the game ‘Balatro’ has been changed to a PEGI 12 following a successful appeal submitted by publisher Sold Out Sales & Marketing.” Nintendo Life reported the appeal result on 24 February 2025.
What rating does Nintendo show now?
Nintendo’s current UK and Spain download pages list Balatro as PEGI 12. The game launched on Switch on 20 February 2024, and Nintendo describes it as a single-player strategy and simulation deckbuilder. These pages establish what those two storefronts display; they do not establish the current rating or availability on every country’s eShop or on other platforms.
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- 150 Jokers, each with their own unique abilities.
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Does the old delisting mean Balatro is unavailable in the EU?
No. The reported removal was temporary, affected some digital storefronts, and was followed by reports of the game returning to sale in March 2024. The available reporting does not provide a complete country-by-country list of affected stores, and the two current Nintendo pages cited here cover only the UK and Spain. If Balatro is missing from your store, check the listing for your country and platform; the past PEGI 18 episode alone does not establish its present availability there.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
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- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
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Rank #2
- UK e-store account may be required for any online features
Balatro Switch rating and delisting timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 20 February 2024 | Nintendo’s UK and Spain listings give this as the Switch release date. |
| 1 March 2024 | Nintendo Life reported a temporary removal from various European Switch eShops after an apparent change to PEGI 18; Playstack described removals from some digital stores in some countries on console platforms. |
| March 2024 | Follow-up reporting said the game had returned to Switch eShops across Europe, Australia and New Zealand with the 18+ rating. |
| 24 February 2025 | Nintendo Life reported PEGI’s confirmation that an appeal by Sold Out Sales & Marketing had changed the rating from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
