Ongoing controversy sees Target drop Manhunt 2

The videogame controversy bandwagon rumbles on this week with yet more bad omens for Rockstar Games and its much talked about title Manhunt 2. Already the subject of criticism regarding its violent content, ESRB rating arguments, leaked play test versions, regional bans, and content hacks, the contentious videogame has now been officially dropped by U.S. retail chain Target. Massive U.S. retail chain Target Corp. has this week confirmed that it will not carry controversial videogame Manhunt 2. Credit: Target.

Massive U.S. retail chain Target Corp. has this week confirmed that it will not carry controversial videogame Manhunt 2. Credit: Target.Initially slapped with a crippling ‘Adults Only’ rating in the U.S., before voluntary edits saw it reappraised to ‘M for Mature’ by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, Manhunt 2 has once again been thrown into the mire thanks to Minnesota-based Target Corp. citing the recently exposed software hacks as its reason for removing the game from its shelves.The code hacks in question apply to the PlayStation Portable version of the game (it’s also available on PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii) and, when used, allow players to remove the action blur added to certain scenes by developer Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two in order to warrant the reduced ‘M for Mature’ rating."All video games and computer software sold at Target currently carry ratings by the Entertainment Software Rating Board – from early childhood through mature audiences," outlined Target to ABCNews in an official statement. "While ‘Manhunt 2’ was given a ‘Mature’ rating by the ESRB, we received additional information that players can potentially view previously filtered content by altering the game code. As a result, we have decided not to carry the game."The game, which officially went on sale on October 31, follows the carnage wrought when a dangerous sociopath escapes from a mental hospital and embarks on a killing spree. It has already been banned completely in the UK after the British Board of Film Classification refused to award it an ‘18’ certificate. Following the unveiling of PSP hacks that revealed the edited violence in Manhunt 2, numerous consumer groups urged the ESRB to reapply its original ‘Adults Only’ rating to the game, which would be potentially fatal as Sony and Nintendo refuse to allow AO titles in their software catalogues. However, the ESRB has refused to alter the ‘M for Mature’ rating, standing firmly behind its decision.