‘Halloween: The Game’ Banned in Australia and New Zealand, But Michael Myers Isn’t the Problem

Michael Myers can brutally murder the residents of Haddonfield, but apparently drugs are where Australia draws the line.

The official Halloween: The Game account announced today that the upcoming video game has been denied classification by the Australian Classification Board, meaning it cannot be sold physically or digitally in Australia or New Zealand. The developers stress that the decision has nothing to do with Michael Myers or the game’s bloody kills, but rather the presence of a controlled substance.

Here’s the official statement:

“Despite every effort on our part, the Australian Classifications Board has denied Halloween: The Game a rating. The denial was not based on the presence of the iconic slasher, Michael Myers, or the outstanding kills that can be performed in the game, but rather the presence of a controlled substance.

“Unfortunately, to our disappointment (and certainly yours) this means that we cannot sell the physical or digital product in both Australia and New Zealand.”

The irony is pretty spectacular considering Halloween: The Game carries an ESRB rating in the United States for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs.

Developed by IllFonic and co-published by Gun Interactive, Halloween: The Game takes players back to Haddonfield on Halloween night, 1978, allowing them to either become the Boogeyman himself or fight back against Michael Myers as the residents of the Illinois suburb. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes.

Thankfully, this doesn’t impact the game’s release elsewhere. Halloween: The Game arrives September 8, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with Advance Access beginning September 4 for the Deluxe Edition.

So yes, Michael Myers and his kitchen knife are apparently fine. Whatever they’re smoking in Haddonfield? Not so much.

Take a look below.