Some of the most played games in Europe now carry a PEGI 16 label. PEGI, the age rating system used in most of Europe, has started applying its new rules on paid random items, known as loot boxes, to existing digital games, Video Games Chronicle reported on October 21, 2026. The re-rating continues through the rest of October.
Which games are affected
Games rated PEGI 3, 7 or 12 that sell paid random items move to PEGI 16. So far, these have been spotted with the new rating:
- EA Sports FC
- Pokémon Go
- Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
- Mario Kart Tour
- Zenless Zone Zero
A PEGI 16 rating means the game cannot legally be sold to children aged 15 or under in the UK and in the European countries that have made PEGI part of their law.
The new criteria
PEGI announced the changes earlier this year, and new games submitted since June 2026 are already assessed with them. Besides loot boxes, the framework sets minimum ratings for other features:
- Time-limited or quantity-limited offers: at least PEGI 12
- Rewards for coming back, such as daily quests: at least PEGI 7
- Penalties for not coming back: PEGI 12
- NFTs or blockchain mechanics: PEGI 18
- Unrestricted online chat with no way to block or report: PEGI 18
Why it matters
The change brings PEGI in line with Germany’s USK, which made similar changes in 2023. PEGI council chair Beate Våje said the goal is to make parents aware that certain features deserve a closer look, and that parental controls can help.
More context: what loot boxes are and how PEGI ratings work.
This article was written with AI assistance from the sources linked above.
