Bayonetta 3 has been rated, suggesting a release date could be on the horizon

PlatinumGames’ long-awaited Bayonetta 3 has seemingly been rated, perhaps suggesting a release date announcement is coming soon.

As spotted by Twitter user The_Marmolade, publisher Nintendo’s US website lists the game as having been classified M by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

The game’s product page lists ESRB content descriptors including violence, blood and gore, partial nudity, strong language, and in-game purchases.

The game has also been provisionally rated 18 by European classification body PEGI, according to Nintendo’s UK site.

It’s worth noting that while these ratings are displayed on Nintendo’s websites, Bayonetta 3 isn’t yet listed as having been classified when searched for on the ESRB and PEGI websites.

Platinum’s Switch action sequel was first announced via a brief teaser at The Game Awards in December 2017, but then nothing more of the game was seen for almost four years.

Bayonetta 3 finally resurfaced in September 2021 with its first in-game trailer, which showed Bayonetta’s new ability to control demons.

It also confirmed plans to release the game in 2022. This release window was accurate as of Nintendo’s latest quarterly earnings report, which was published in May.

The trailer also revealed The Wonderful 101 and Astral Chain designer Yusuke Miyata as Bayonetta 3’s game director.

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According to the game’s Nintendo store listing, Bayonetta 3 sees the titular Umbra Witch facing off against a mysterious evil using her signature guns and time-slowing Witch Time ability, alongside her new powers.

“Bayonetta fights bravely in the streets of Tokyo against a mysterious enemy bent on plunging humanity into the depths of chaos,” it reads.

“Why is she there? And has the enemy already extended their grasp to other worlds?”