Revised Manhunt 2 receives M rating in US, October Release

New York (NY) - Rockstar Games has announced that Manhunt 2 will be released in the US on October 31, with an "M" rating given to a new "toned down" version of the gruesome horror title.

Previously, the ESRB (Electronic Software Ratings Board) gave the title an "Adults Only" stamp, effectively banning it from retail stores and closing licensing possibilities with Nintendo and Sony.

Rockstar submitted a new version of the game to the group and was able to squeak out a "Mature" rating, the video game version on an R-rated movie.

"Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we’re glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience," said Rockstar founder Sam Houser.

Rockstar, which also publishes the controversial Grand Theft Auto games, pledged that it would work to bring Manhunt 2 to the market after the blow from the ESRB. The game was also banned in the UK after the game ratings group there refused to even give it a rating. That decision is currently being appealed.

Though gamers may never get to see all that was originally in the survival horror game, they will at least be able to pick up the new version in US stores on October 31. The game will be available on the Nintendo Wii and Playstation 2.