Target Removes 'Manhunt 2' From Stores

Retail giant Target has pulled Rockstar Games' Manhunt 2 from its shelves following the publicity of a violence-increasing hack discovered just one day after the game's release. The hack, which only works for illegally modified PSPs, essentially rolls back superficial changes made to the game to fit ratings criteria. The result is a clearer view of killings that already take place in the game, without unlocking any deleted or hidden scenes.

ESRB President Patricia Vance feels that the existence of this hack does not alter the "M" rating given to the game. However, Target wishes to keep its customers "comfortable with the purchasing decisions they make." Given the nature of the hack, it is safe to say that PSP users will not accidentally unlock the censored content, and purchasers of the game can feel comfortable that they got all the feces flinging, neck stabbing, and sledgehammer assailing that they expected and were more than adequately warned about.