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Katana Zero is a video game that was initially banned in Australia and New Zealand in 2019 due to its refusal of classification. The game features intense, one-hit-kill combat and a core concept of the game revolves around the main character's use of a drug called 'Chronos' to manipulate time. Australia has historically been strict about any drug use that creates a positive effect, and this was likely the main reason for the game's ban. The game's publisher, Devolver Digital, re-submitted the game and it was eventually allowed to be sold in Australia, albeit with an R18+ rating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Use of drugs to receive a positive effect |
| High-impact violence related to torture | |
| Sexual nature of scenes | |
| Drug references | |
| Platforms affected | Nintendo Switch |
| Platforms unaffected | PC (Steam) |
| Current status | Ban has been overturned, reclassified as R18 |
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What You'll Learn
Katana Zero's ban was overturned in Australia
Katana Zero, a fast-paced neo-noir action platformer, was initially refused classification and banned in Australia in 2019. The game features intense, instant-death acrobatic combat and a dark 80s neon aesthetic. It includes multiple torture scenes, discussions of child killings, and a character decapitation.
The ban was due to the game's depiction of sexual violence, drug use, and positive portrayal of drugs, particularly a substance called 'Chronos', which is a core mechanic in the game. The Australian Classification Board has a history of refusing classification to games that feature drug use that creates a positive experience.
However, the ban was later overturned, and the game was reclassified as R18 in Australia. It is not clear what changes, if any, were made to the game to achieve this reclassification. The game's publisher, Devolver Digital, had intended to re-submit the game and expressed hope that it would be allowed for release.
The overturning of the ban on Katana Zero may signal a shift in Australia's approach to game censorship, with another game, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, also successfully appealing its ban around the same time.
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The game was initially refused classification
The game Katana Zero was initially refused classification in Australia and New Zealand. The game was due to be released worldwide in less than two days when the Switch release was banned. The indie game's publisher, Devolver Digital, revealed this on its official Twitter account. The game has been refused classification through an automated IARC process and not by a human or Classification Board panel. Devolver Digital intended to re-submit the game and hoped for a different outcome.
In the game, the player fights through stages in intense, one-hit-kill combat. The main character is suffering withdrawals from a drug called Chronos and must take more to keep experiencing the passage of time. The inclusion of Chronos as a core concept ensured its ban. The Australian Classification Board has historically perceived any drug use that creates a positive effect as unacceptable. The game also features multiple torture scenes, discussions of child killings, and a character whose head is decapitated and then picked up.
While the PC version was likely to remain available on Steam, Switch owners had to wait to find out if the title would be made available locally. The game did appeal its ban and is now allowed to be sold in the country, reclassified as R18.
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Reasons for refusal: drug use, sexual violence, and high-impact violence
In April 2019, Katana Zero was refused classification in Australia and New Zealand. The game was deemed to have included drug use, sexual violence, and high-impact violence.
Katana Zero is a fast-paced neo-noir action platformer with a dark 80s neon aesthetic. In the game, the player can manipulate time by using a drug called 'Chronos'. The Australian Classification Board has historically perceived any drug use that creates a positive effect as unacceptable. The inclusion of 'Chronos' as a core concept ensured its ban. The main character is suffering withdrawals from 'Chronos' and must take more to experience the passage of time.
The game also includes sexual violence, which has led to its refusal of classification. Additionally, the game features multiple torture scenes, discussions of child killings, and the decapitation of a character, whose head is then picked up.
It is important to note that the game's refusal of classification in Australia was through an automated IARC process and was not actually rejected by a human or Classification Board panel. The game's publisher, Devolver Digital, intended to re-submit the game, and it is now available in Australia with an R18 rating.
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Devolver Digital re-submitted the game for classification
Devolver Digital, the publisher of Katana Zero, initially announced on Twitter that the game had received a 'Classification Refused' rating in Australia and would not be released on the Nintendo Switch in the country. The game was refused classification through an automated IARC process, and Devolver Digital stated its intention to re-submit the game with the hope that it would be approved.
Devolver Digital is no stranger to games being refused classification in Australia, with Hotline Miami 2 infamously remaining banned in the country. Other games published by Devolver Digital, such as Genital Jousting and Mother Russia Bleeds, were also initially refused classification but were later made available for purchase.
Katana Zero is a fast-paced neo-noir action platformer with a focus on tight, instant-death acrobatic combat and a dark 80s neon aesthetic. The game includes multiple torture scenes, references to child killings, and a character whose head is decapitated and then picked up. It also features a drug called 'Chronos', which the main character must take to experience the passage of time.
The refusal of classification in Australia was likely due to the game's depiction of drug use, high-impact violence, and sexual violence. Australia has a history of refusing classification to games that portray drug use in a positive light or include substance abuse-related reward systems. The automated nature of the classification process also meant that no human reviewer had examined the game, increasing the likelihood of regional issues and effective censorship.
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The game is now classified as R18 in Australia
In 2019, Katana Zero was initially refused classification and banned from sale in Australia. The game was deemed to have a 'Classification Refused' rating and was therefore not released on the Nintendo Switch in Australia. The game's publisher, Devolver Digital, intended to re-submit the game and expressed hope that it would be approved the second time around.
Katana Zero is a fast-paced neo-noir action platformer with a focus on tight, instant-death acrobatic combat and a dark 80s neon aesthetic. The game includes multiple torture scenes, references to child killings, and a character whose head is decapitated and then picked up. It also features a drug called 'Chronos', which the main character must take to experience the passage of time and manipulate time.
The Australian Classification Board has historically perceived any drug use that creates a positive effect as unacceptable. This perception was a likely factor in the initial refusal of classification for Katana Zero. In addition, the game's high-impact violence and sexual nature may have also contributed to its initial ban.
However, the ban on Katana Zero in Australia was eventually overturned. The game was reclassified as R18, allowing it to be sold in the country. This reclassification suggests that the game may have undergone some edits or modifications to meet the requirements for the R18 rating. The specific changes made to the game for it to be approved for release in Australia are not publicly available.
The reclassification of Katana Zero as R18 in Australia highlights the country's evolving approach to game censorship and the recognition of mature content suitable for adult audiences. It is important to note that the R18 rating restricts the sale of the game to adults only, ensuring that younger audiences do not have access to age-inappropriate content.
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Frequently asked questions
Katana Zero was initially refused classification in Australia due to its depiction of sexual violence, torture, and drug use. The game includes multiple torture scenes, discussions of child killings, and a character whose head is decapitated and then picked up. The Australian Classification Board has historically perceived any drug use that creates a positive effect as unacceptable.
Katana Zero is a fast-paced neo-noir action platformer with a dark 80s neon aesthetic. It focuses on tight, instant-death acrobatic combat.
The game's publisher, Devolver Digital, re-submitted the game and appealed the ban. The ban was eventually overturned, and the game was reclassified as R18 in Australia.
Yes, Katana Zero was also refused classification and banned in New Zealand. This often happens when a game is banned in Australia because the markets are linked, and the New Zealand market is small.
Yes, the game was available on Steam for Windows and MacOS in Australia, but not on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
