For years, the Pokemon franchise has been one of gaming's most recognizable family-friendly properties, with most of its mainline games carrying PEGI 3 or PEGI 7 ratings. However, Pokemon GO has now made an unexpected leap from PEGI 7 to PEGI 16, putting the mobile game in a very different age category from many of its console counterparts. The change is a significant moment for a series that has traditionally appealed to younger players just as much as longtime fans.

Despite the dramatic increase, the decision has nothing to do with Pokemon GO becoming more violent or the franchise abandoning its family-friendly identity. Instead, the updated rating reflects changing rules around paid random items in video games. The development also affects Pokemon TCG Pocket, another mobile title that has received a PEGI 16 rating. Together, these changes mark a turning point in how Pokemon games are classified, even if the games themselves remain largely familiar.

Learn how to go from level 50 to level 80 in Pokemon GO and the rewards that you can expect to get for doing so.

The reason behind Pokemon GO 's new rating comes down to PEGI's updated classification criteria , which began taking effect in June 2026. Under the revised rules, digital games that offer paid random items, including loot boxes and comparable mechanics, receive a minimum PEGI 16 rating. The system is intended to make parents more aware of monetization features that can encourage spending without guaranteeing a particular reward. Existing digital-only games with lower ratings are also being reassessed, explaining why a title that has been available for years can suddenly receive a much higher age classification.

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