Just as Rockstar thought it had gained a reprieve after US games body ESRB granted the controversial Manhunt 2 an Adults Only rating, Sony and Nintendo have announced they will now block the release of the game on their respective consoles.

Speaking to GameSpot, a Sony spokesperson said: "It's currently our policy not to allow the playback of AO-rated content on our systems."

In a statement, Nintendo added: "As stated on Nintendo.com, Nintendo does not allow any AO-rated content on its systems. Games made for Nintendo systems enjoy a broad variety of styles, genres, and ratings. These are some of the reasons our Wii and Nintendo DS systems appeal to such a broad range of people.

“But as with books, television, and movies, different content is meant for different audiences. That's why the ESRB provides ratings to help consumers understand the content of a game before they purchase it.”

Although scheduled for a July 10 release in the US, Manhunt 2 has proven a costly mistake for Rockstar and it is now doubtful it will ever be published.