Why are games like EA Sports FC and Pokémon GO getting a PEGI 16 rating? It comes down to loot boxes and other paid random rewards. PEGI is changing how it rates games that include these features, and some familiar titles are now getting higher age ratings as a result.
The changes aren't limited to new releases. Throughout October 2026, PEGI has been updating the ratings of existing digital games that fall under its revised classification rules.
Why do loot boxes get a PEGI 16 rating?
Loot boxes give players random in-game rewards, often in exchange for real money. In EA Sports FC, for example, players can buy packs containing virtual football players without knowing exactly who they'll get before opening them.
Under PEGI's updated criteria, games featuring paid random items generally receive a minimum rating of PEGI 16. The concern is that players may keep spending money in the hope of getting a specific player, character or other rare reward.
The rules go beyond traditional loot boxes. Paid card packs and gacha systems, which let players spend money for a chance to unlock random characters or items, can also fall under the new criteria. Depending on the mechanics involved, a game could receive a PEGI 18 rating instead.
Which games are getting a PEGI 16 rating?
Several well-known games have been linked to the rating changes, including:
- EA Sports FC: Its Ultimate Team mode lets players buy packs containing random football players.
- Pokémon GO: Niantic's mobile game is among the titles reported to have received a higher age rating.
- Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket: Players open digital card packs containing randomly selected cards.
- Mario Kart Tour: The mobile racing game has also been included in reports about the changes.
- Zenless Zone Zero: The action RPG features a gacha system through which players can obtain random characters and other rewards.
This isn't necessarily the full list. The rollout is ongoing, and the ratings of other games may also change as PEGI applies its revised criteria.
Why are older games getting higher age ratings?
PEGI announced its revised classification criteria in March 2026. The new rules began applying to newly submitted games in June, and the system is now being applied to selected titles that were already available digitally.
That means a game can receive a higher age rating even if nothing about its gameplay has changed. PEGI is now taking certain monetisation systems and online features into account alongside more familiar factors such as violence, language and frightening content.
Loot boxes aren't the only feature covered by the updated rules. Time-limited or limited-quantity offers can result in a minimum PEGI 12 rating, while certain blockchain-related features can lead to PEGI 18. The criteria also cover features that encourage regular play and online communication.
Can children still play games rated PEGI 16?
A PEGI 16 rating means a game is considered suitable for players aged 16 and older. However, a higher rating doesn't necessarily mean the game's content has changed or that younger players will immediately lose access to it.
What happens in practice depends on the country, the applicable rules and the platform distributing the game. Parents should check the current age rating and parental control options for individual titles rather than assuming every platform handles these changes in the same way.
For players, the biggest change is how PEGI evaluates games that include paid random rewards and other potentially problematic features. Some familiar titles may now carry a higher age rating, even though those features have been part of the games for years.
Webmastahhh is the creator of Mastanet, a gaming and technology website where he shares news, reviews, guides and personal insights about games, hardware, software and the future of digital entertainment.
