Take-Two Interactive delays Manhunt 2

New York (NY) – Take-Two Interactive has delayed the launch of Manhunt 2 after the game received a preliminary “Adults Only” rating from the Entertain Software Rating Board (ESRB). The game was also banned in Britain after that country’s rating board deemed the game to be “callously” violent.

The AO rating is basically a kiss of death for any game as many large retailers like Best Buy and Walmart refuse to stock such games. If that wasn’t bad enough, Nintendo and Sony ban adult only games on their respective Wii and PlayStation consoles. Microsoft has a similar policy, but Manhunt 2 wasn’t going to be released on the Xbox or Xbox 360 anyways.

Take-Two Interactive said that Manhunt 2 is an “extraordinary game” and that it will review its options after receiving the preliminary ESRB rating. The company has 30 days to appeal.