10 Video Games Banned Overseas For Ridiculous Reasons

Modern day Germany has had a complicated relationship with depictions of World War II and the Nazi regime in media. Crazy, right?

Germany is not a stranger to video game censorship. Most depictions of violence have all blood and gore removed and games whose story content or mechanics are deemed inappropriate - such as the Grand Theft Auto series - are rated only for ages 18+. Many 18+ games are also placed on a list of games deemed harmful to minors, and only available to adults upon request.

Until 2018, Germany didn't allow the depiction of any Nazi symbols or references. Even in World War II games.

In the case of Wolfenstein II: The New Collosus, the game had to undergo extensive censorship to avoid being banned outright. Nazis were now "The Regime," the swastika was changed to the Wolfenstein logo, and even Hitler's mustache had to be digitally removed the make the character into anybody but Hitler. Because this way, Nazis will be the last thing anybody thinks about while playing this Nazi-killing game.

TV and films were not restricted to the same censorship laws. In 2018, Germany finally classified video games as an art form, lifting the ban on Nazi imagery.