Back in June, the BBFC refused the UK distribution of the controversial videogame, Manhunt 2, unless substantial changes were made to remove the apparent 'bleakness and callousness of tone' within the game. Despite some changes being made, the BBFC rejected the revised version of Manhunt 2, but the US classifications board, the ESRB, granted the game an 'M' for mature rating and agreed that it could be released in the United States.

The revised version was released on October 31st on Wii, PS2 and PSP, and despite the scenes of blood and violence being toned down for each version, hackers have been able to modify the PSP to remove blurring effects allowing to play the original bloody version.

The news has sparked complaints by a number of groups, including Common Sense Media who are now asking the Federal Trade Commission to conduct an enquiry with the ESRB into how they reduced Manhunt 2 from an adult rating to it's 'M' rating.

"Either the video game industry will step up and do the right thing, or else it will defy the public interest in order to preserve its own economic interest," PTC President Tim Winter said in a statement.

Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick has responded to the hackers by asking "consumers to respect that commitment and to enjoy our games as they are meant to be played, without modifying or illegally downloading modified copies."

Incidentally, Manhunt 2 has received mixed reviews online ranging from 70% to a very poor 40%.

Source :: PSP fanboy