The US ratings body ESRB has had to defend its decision to grant Rockstar’s Manhunt 2 an ‘M for Mature’ rating against a fresh wave of criticism since the game was released in the US last week (on Halloween).

SPOnG informed you last week that the North American PSP version of Manhunt 2 has been hacked.

The latest ESRB statement relating to the ongoing furore surrounding the violent horror title simply reads:

"Our investigation indicates that the game's publisher disclosed to the ESRB all pertinent content in the authorized Mature-rated version of Manhunt 2 now available in stores, and complied with our guidelines on full disclosure of content… Manhunt 2's rating makes it unmistakable that the game is intended for an older audience. The unauthorized hacking into the code of this game doesn’t change that basic fact.”

Still not happy with this, California’s anti-gaming Senator Leland Yee railed in with the following comment:

“Not only should the Adult Only rating immediately be reinstated, but the Federal Trade Commission should investigate Rockstar and the ESRB to determine how this was allowed to happen again… Time and time again, the ESRB rating process fails parents. It is unconscionable that the rating board would downgrade Manhunt 2’s rating from AO to M and therefore make the game available to children. The ESRB and Rockstar continuously put profits before children.

“Parents deserve to know what, if any, content was truly removed to receive the downgraded rating. ESRB has refused to publicly disclose whether or not Rockstar divulged that such adult content could still be accessible. As if we needed more evidence, this episode further puts into question the validity of the entire rating system.”

More and more and yet more on Manhunt 2 and Rockstar’s ongoing fight with the BBFC in the UK to obtain an 18 certificate here as we get it.