The UK typically ratesPokemongames that feature more adult content at PEGI 12. The re-releases ofPokemonRed,Blue, andYellow, for example, all hold the PEGI 12 rating. The originalPokemon DiamondandPearlhold the rating too, but to the surprise of many fans, the game’s upcoming remakes,Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl,don’t. Instead, they hold the lower rating of PEGI 7, which means they may not feature a certain mini-game that appeared in their original iterations.
It’s worth noting that Nintendo made the rating ofPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlavailable to the public back when it first announced the games in February. However, as mostPokemonfans were concerned with the remakes simply existing, it makes sense that many didn’t notice. Months later, the detail has been brought to their attention by a tweet from Twitter user Eclipse, who posted a photo ofPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl’s box arts, which feature the rating.
RELATED:Pokemon Unite’s Perfect Opportunity to Release Sinnoh Pokemon
Eclipse didn’t post the tweet to point out the rating, but it became the topic of conversation when fans caught sight of it. Simply put, a PEGI 7 rating forPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlmeans that the games likely won’t feature the Veilstone Game Corner, which hosts the slot machine mini-game that appeared throughout the first fourPokemongenerations. Fans predict the loss because any game in the UK that includes gambling automatically receives a rating of PEGI 12 or higher.
Why Nintendo decided not to implement the slot machine mini-game remains a mystery, but it’s not really a surprise. The third-generationPokemonremakes,Pokemon Alpha SapphireandOmega Ruby, left out the slot machines as well, and after the originalPokemon DiamondandPearl, none of the new generationPokemongames included it either. It seems Nintendo simply changed its mind about adding gambling features to a franchise more or less directed at kids, which makes sense.
That said,Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare remakes of 15-year-oldPokemontitles. Since all video game remakes cash in on nostalgia, most of the audience looking forward to this game should at least be 20 years old, old enough to understand the risks that come with gambling in real life. Regardless, whatever Nintendo’s reason,Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearllikely won’t featureslot machines. Hopefully, ILCA, the games' developer, will add something else to make up for it such as Battle Frontier.
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlrelease on November 19th, 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: New Watch Features That Would Make Sense on Switch
