Binding of Isaac blocked by Nintendo due to religious content

The Binding of Isaac won't be coming to the 3DS after all, due to Nintendo's objections to its "questionable religious content."

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Indie game The Binding of Isaac won't be coming to the Nintendo 3DS after all. Indie developer Edmund McMillen says that the game was considered by Nintendo, but was ultimately rejected due to "questionable religious content."

McMillen announced the news in a series of tweets. "Thank GOD Steam exists!" he quipped. In a reply to a fan, he said that Nintendo was "fine with the M rating" and didn't object to some of the heavier content like gore and suggested child nudity. According to his account, it came down to the religious aspect. The game is loosely based on the Biblical story of Isaac and Abraham.

The game always seemed like a long-shot for Nintendo's handheld system. In December, McMillen said that a publisher was "asking Nintendo if they would be OK with Isaac on the 3DS." Nintendo has a long history of being very protective of its family-friendly image. The company likely isn't keen on inviting the ire of religious groups, but it also sets a precedent of blocking controversial content.

Shacknews has contacted Nintendo regarding the rejection, and will update as more information becomes available.

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  • reply
    February 29, 2012 7:45 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Binding of Isaac blocked by Nintendo due to religious content.

    The Binding of Isaac won't be coming to the 3DS after all, due to Nintendo's objections to its "questionable religious content."

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 7:55 AM

      Now before the internet starts dog-piling on Nintendo, does anyone think that Sony or Microsoft would reject the game for the same reason?

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        February 29, 2012 7:58 AM

        I don't believe so, it'll probably show up on one of those services not too long from now.

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        February 29, 2012 8:21 AM

        According to his tweets Microsoft seem to have picked up exclusivity to the game, which means that Sony are out, but not for religious reasons

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 7:56 AM

      Saw that one coming, Nintendo seal of approval strikes again!

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 7:59 AM

      awkward closed system decisions like that are what make consoles ready to go out of fashion.

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 8:00 AM

      I think this is the first time I've seen a news article tagged as political.

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        February 29, 2012 8:11 AM

        Since they started putting them in the comments, yeah I think so too.

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 8:13 AM

      That blows. At least it might get the PC version some publicity.

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      February 29, 2012 8:31 AM

      isn't the game basically about abortion and/or child abuse?

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      February 29, 2012 8:35 AM

      Aw damn. 3DS is the perfect platform for that.

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        February 29, 2012 8:45 AM

        Twin stick shooter? I would prefer it on a system with twin sticks.

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          February 29, 2012 8:49 AM

          like the Vita?

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          February 29, 2012 10:58 AM

          its not at all a "twin stick shooter" you can only move and shoot in 4 directions

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            February 29, 2012 1:08 PM

            Actually move in 8. But still. It has elements of twin stick. Especially since you can move and shoot in different directions.

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          February 29, 2012 4:00 PM

          Have you played the PC version? Because you move and shoot with the keyboard.

        • reply
          February 29, 2012 4:02 PM

          it was designed for mouse and keyboard :(

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 8:50 AM

      ugh... so dumb of nintendo

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      February 29, 2012 8:53 AM

      I was really shocked when they said they were

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      February 29, 2012 8:55 AM

      I would have thought the large amount of blood and feces would be the one that tipped the scale.

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      February 29, 2012 8:56 AM

      I can see why Nintendo is keeping this game away. If they let this one slip through, lots of religious crazy games might want to freeride on it.

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 10:47 AM

      isnt there a grand theft auto game specifically made for the DS? I mean I can respect a market position if you want family and not to tarnish that, unless you arent really doing that....

    • reply
      February 29, 2012 10:57 AM

      That has to be bad news for their in-house Monolith Soft team.

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      February 29, 2012 11:37 AM

      Hmm http://cinemassacre.com/2006/12/25/bible-games/

      Nothing questionable there! 0_o

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        February 29, 2012 1:16 PM

        None of those games were approved for the NES either except for the Noah's Ark game that Konami made

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          February 29, 2012 1:27 PM

          Your logic and facts have no place in a religion thread!

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      February 29, 2012 1:00 PM

      I don't know why anyone ever thought this might have been a possibility.

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