The ESRB states that M-rated games contain content that should only be played by those 18 years and older; the magazine was available to middle schoolers in the 10-14 age range. The American Civil Liberties Union has stepped in, stating that instead of simply taking the offending issue off the shelves, the principal should have gone through the school's formal review process for removing publications.
Was the school wrong in pulling the issue? Was Nintendo Power wrong in running the feature knowing the age range of their audience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
[via GamePolitics]
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Screens
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 1 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 2 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 3 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 4 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 5 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 6 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 7 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 8 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 9 of 28)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. (Screenshot 10 of 28)
Reader Comments (7)
I can understand where the school is coming from, but that being said I think there is quite a bit of bias. The shelves of their library are stocked full of historical books which contain violent, bloody wars. At least I would hope they don't censor history. However on the flip side it could be that the game promotes a gang like attitude. The cover itself is in no way offending, that woman could own a gun license, and owns the gun for self defense. I see no act of violence being portrayed in the picture, just a woman with a self defense tool. Its clear too see that she probably lives in a rough part of town and such defense is common place. But hey what do I know?
Haha that is probably my school because that happened there
omfg how is this game m rated it has mario graphicss! godd like no kid had ever see a gun or somethingg!!!
yeas censorship me too the meadia should not be censored unless its bad but the mag wasnt
i wish my school got videogame magazines lol
Censorship offends me!
wow kids like to play those games and how is it offensive someone has a gun many kids have seen movies or shows with people and guns, shes not even shooting it