One of the more interesting aspects of the video game industry is that games are often banned from sale prior to release. This is because game producers and distributors can often agree on what will be allowed, and what won’t. While there is an enormous range of genres and types of games that get banned, this article looks at the top ten video games that have been subject to the most censorship in the world.
No matter your personal opinion on video games and their content, it’s hard not to be impressed by the variety and success of titles banned from various levels of society. Ahead of this list, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most banned video games.
List of the Top Most Banned Games for Violence
The following section consists of the top 10 games banned for violence. However, it is important to not confuse the word “violence” with what many people see as necessary evils in war, such as killing an enemy soldier.
In recent years, many of the most popular games have been banned for violence. Many of these games are often considered extremely violent despite not showing blood or gore. For example, Mortal Kombat is a game that has been banned for virtual nudity and violence such as decapitation and dismemberment. This article will go over 10 of the most famous games to be banned for violence and the reasoning behind the ban.
1. Carmageddon
Carmageddon is a video game series developed by Stainless Games, created by Patrick Buckland and Neil Barnden, released for PC in 1997. The first game in the series was Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now and was released on PC in 1998, the latest release being Carmageddon: Reincarnation in 2015.
The Carmageddon series is often described as a freeform driving game, where the player has the freedom to cause wanton destruction in a variety of urban settings. The primary goal of the game is to race to the finish line while destroying as many other competitors as possible with your vehicle.
Why is Carmageddon banned?
Carmageddon was banned in the United Kingdom, Germany because it encouraged reckless driving.
Where is Carmageddon banned?
Carmageddon was banned in a lot of countries because of the nature of the game. It’s a violent racing game. Carmageddon is banned in many countries, including the United States. Germany, Argentina, United Kingdom, and Canada.
2. Manhunt 2 (+ Manhunt series)
Manhunt 2 is a horror stealth video game published by Rockstar Games. It is the sequel to the 2003 game Manhunt. Although the two games have no storyline connection. The game was banned in many countries and received an Adults Only rating from the ESRB.
Why is Manhunt 2 banned?
Manhunt 2 is banned from sale in several countries because of the extreme level of violent and sexual content.
Where is Manhunt 2 banned?
The game, Manhunt 2 has been banned in New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
3. Omega Labyrinth Z
Omega Labyrinth Z is a roguelike dungeon crawler game developed by Matrix Software and published by D3Publisher in 2015 in Japan for the PlayStation Vita. It is the part in the Omega Labyrinth series and is based on the popular Japanese anime series.
The world is under attack by the terrible and voluptuous Labyrinth. The only weapon that can oppose the Labyrinth is the Holy Sword. A sword that has been in the care of the beautiful Goddess Ariadne.
Why is Omega Labyrinth Z banned?
Omega Labyrinth Z is a game that follows the protagonist, an ordinary high school student, as she explores a dungeon with her friends. The game is banned because it features explicit sexual content and nudity.
Where is Omega Labyrinth Z banned?
Omega Labyrinth Z is banned in several countries including The United Kingdom, Germany, and United Arab Emirates, and has been banned by several retailers in other countries.
4. The Punisher
The Punisher is a shooter video game based on Marvel Comics’ antihero, the Punisher. It was developed by Deep Silver Volition, LLC and published by THQ. It was released on 16 January 2005 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and on 12 April 2004 for mobile.
Even though this game is one of the most banned games from the United Kingdom and German market, the US still has a large number of players playing the game.
Why is The Punisher banned?
The Punisher is banned because of the violence, gore, and graphically controversy. The Punisher is a vigilante who takes revenge on those who have inflicted pain and suffering on others.
Where is The Punisher banned?
The Punisher video game was banned from The United Kingdom and Germany.
5. Sex Vixens from Space
Developed and published by Free Spirit Software, the Sex Vixens from Space is an erotic adventure game. The game was released in 1988 for Apple II, and it was panned by reviewers.
Why is “Sex Vixens from Space” banned?
It was banned because it was considered violent and sexist.
Where is “Sex Vixens from Space” banned?
The game was banned in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden, and was refused classification in Germany, effectively banning it there too.
6. RapeLay
RapeLay is an eroge video game that was released on 21 April 2006 in Japan. The game was developed and published by Illusion Soft. This game is one of the most banned games from several countries, such as New Zealand, China, Argentina.
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a very popular first-person shooter video game that was released for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. The game is the sequel to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which was also released in 2009. It is the sixth game in the Call of Duty series. The game was developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision in November 2009.
Why is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 banned?
In Russia and Germany, the game was banned because of a mission that involves a terrorist attack on a Russian airport. In Germany, the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons decided that the game was too violent related to incentives and rewards. And can cause increased aggression in young people. The United Arab Emirates banned this game for being very offensive to Muslims.
Where is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 banned?
The game is banned in Germany, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Iran, Japan, as well as some other countries.
8. Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is a psychological thriller action-adventure video game developed by Quantic Dream and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. It was released worldwide on February 23, 2010. The game’s music was composed by Normand Corbeil.
In Heavy Rain, the player controls four different protagonists, who have been given the name of their respective actors: Ethan Mars, Scott Shelby, Madison Paige, and Norman Jayden. The story is told through four separate storylines which eventually merge into one, with all four playable characters having their own roles to play.
Why is Heavy Rain banned?
Heavy Rain is banned because it contains a sultry seduction scene. It was also banned due to its graphic violence, nudity, and sexual content.
Where is Heavy Rain banned?
The game is banned in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, as well as some other countries.
9. Postal series
Postal is a shooter video game series by Running With Scissors, that was released in 1997 for Microsoft Windows. It is primarily a collection of top-down shooter and beat ’em up games. Postal also refers to the controversy that surrounds the series.
Why is the Postal series banned?
The Postal series is banned because of its extremely violent nature, nudity, violence against Muslims, and other highly suspicious content.
Where is the Postal series banned?
The game series is banned in Germany, New Zealand, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates as well as some other countries.
10. Grand Theft Auto series
Grand Theft Auto is a series of open-world action-adventure video games, created by David Jones and Mike Dailly, and published by Rockstar Games. The name of the series references the term used in the US for motor vehicle theft. Grand Theft Auto was first released on 28 November 1997.
The series has been recognized for its innovation, cultural impact, and controversy, having been cited as one of the most significant and influential game series of all time.
Why is Grand Theft Auto banned?
Grand Theft Auto is banned in some countries because of its gory violence, cruelty, nudity, and sexual content.
Where is Grand Theft Auto banned?
The game series is banned in Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Thailand, the United States, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, as well as some other countries.
Top 10 Banned Games for Android Google Play Store
There are many games on the Google Play Store that are banned. Here you will find a list of the top 10 banned games in the Play Store for Android devices. The 10 most popular games are no longer available for download on the Google Play Store.
Each game on this list has been banned for either being insensitive to a group of people, being of poor quality, or having an excessive amount of violence.
The list includes some games that were removed from the Google Play Store because they contain illegal material such as nudity and violence.
- Strip Club XXL
- Don’t Whack Your Boss with Superpowers
- Sexy Baseball
- Popsicle Showdown
- Whack Your Neighbour
- Sliding Angel
- Don’t Whack Your Teacher
- Bourin
- 9mm
- Farmer Girl Runner
Common Reasons to Banned from the Google Play Store
The top 10 list of most common reasons that a game is pulled from the Google Play Store is below:
- Violates the intellectual property rights of others.
- Violates the terms of service.
- Violates the legal rights of others, such as trademark, privacy or publicity rights.
- Contains objectionable content.
- Contains content that may be considered inappropriate.
- Contains hate speech or discriminatory content.
- Threatens the security of the user or the user’s device.
- Appears to contain any form of malware.
- Appears to have been developed using the Android Developer Tools.
- Contains copyrighted details or trademarked items without permission from the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Banned Games
A list of the top most banned games in the world is difficult to build, but above are some of the more popular games that have been banned at one point or another. Currently, most of the games are banned from the UAE, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. However, some countries do allow for a few videogames to be sold in their regions.
Probably the most inappropriate video games are Grand Theft Auto IV and Manhunt 2. The manhunt is a stealth video game that was published by Rockstar Games in 2003 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Its sequel was published in 2007 for PlayStation Portable and Wii.
The most violent video game is Manhunt 2. The Manhunt is a stealth-based psychological thriller and horror.
There are a number of apps that are illegal. Apps that provide gambling services and apps that facilitate the sale of unlicensed goods that are not allowed on the app store. Though most games are fairly harmless. But violence, nudity, and offensive language can make a title unfit for the App Store. Apps that promote hate speech, drug use, child pornography, or racial intolerance are also banned.
PUBG Mobile game is banned in India.
Google has a policy of removing apps from its Play Store that violate the rules. The most common reasons for banning an app are inappropriate content, malware, and privacy concerns. Game apps Cattch, Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun Dragonfall, Iesabel, Princess Punt, Fortnite, Lucky Patcher, Tubemate, XTunes are banned from the play store?
The app contains pirated content, and it is not legal in India. TubeMate is a video downloader app that can be used to download videos from YouTube. TubeMate is banned because it violates the terms of service for YouTube, which states that users are not allowed to download or save any content from YouTube.
Yes, PUBG was banned in India. In fact, the Indian government had taken the step of banning PUBG due to the large number of violent games being played and the effects that it can have on the minds of India’s younger population. And due to data leakage to the outside of India, specially to China. In the new name, Battlegrounds Mobile India, the app is now available on Google’s Play Store.
No, the Indian government has not yet made any moves to ban or regulate the use of Free Fire. But they have taken steps to censor content on the internet. Free Fire is banned in Bangladesh.
In summary, this article is not about the most violent games of all time, but the ones that are most banned. There are many more violent games out there with violence way worse than these games. But these games happen to be the ones that are most marked as inappropriate for children. Many people believe that violence in video games is not the greatest of all problems. However, it is difficult to deny that gaming has an influence on society.