A press release came out last Friday stating that Manhunt 2 had been re-rated by the ESRB and the game would receive a M rating.  This game had previously been given the console death sentence rating of AO, causing the game to not be certified by Sony or Nintendo. 

Since the initial rating Take Two, the games publisher, have been modifying the game to get a M rating.  Really this is no surprise since the rating board works similarly to movie rating board that allow you to cut content in an effort to lower the rating.  I suspect that Take Two knew this version of the game would pass and it gave them a buffer to release the game during the holiday season. 

This game was not getting much press before it was banned.  The original game wasn't reviewed very well and did ok sales but never got the exposure that Manhunt 2 has.  I expect you will see people picketing this game and talk shows decrying the fact the game will be released.  All this should amount for some incredibly high sales of the game.