No Manhunt 2 Please, We're British.

Rockstar's Manhunt 2 has recently been banned from a UK release after the BBFC refused to give the game a rating. In America it has received an Adults Only (AO) rating.

Manhunt 2 revolves around the story of Daniel Lamb - a scientist for an experiment named 'The Pickman Project' who is locked away in Dixmor Asylum after the experiment fails. Six years later, Daniel manages to escape and he wants revenge!

In regards to the ban, BBFC director David Cooke said that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2 "would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public".

David Cooke has further said: "Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."

This decision hardly comes as a surprise after the previous Manhunt game sparked controversy when it was allegedly linked to the murder of teenager Stephan Pakeerah.

Rockstar still have yet to appeal against the decision. They can of course argue that the 'kid friendly' Wii already has other available and upcoming violent titles - such as Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Resident Evil 4, and Scarface: The World Is Yours.

One wonders if the exclusion of a game containing such an apparent morbid and negative theme is a loss for a console that wants to represent a positive and new gaming experience to families and gamers alike.