The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating system helps parents and other consumers choose the games that are right for their families. ESRB ratings have two parts:

Rating symbols
The following symbols indicate the appropriate age group for a particular game.

Early childhood
Titles rated EC - (early childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages three and older. The game contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.


Everyone
Titles rated E (everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages six and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.


Everyone 10+
Titles rated E10+ (everyone ten and older) have content that may be suitable for ages ten and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes.


Teen
Titles rated T (teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, and/or infrequent use of strong language.


Mature
Titles rated M (mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.


Adults only
Titles rated AO (adults only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.


Rating pending
Titles listed as RP (rating pending) - have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. This symbol only appears in advertising prior to a game's release.




Content descriptors
The following list is a guide to the elements in a game that have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern when purchasing games.

• Alcohol reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages

• Animated blood - Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood

• Blood - Depictions of blood

• Blood and gore - Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts

• Cartoon violence - Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted

• Comic mischief - Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor

• Crude humor - Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor

• Drug reference - Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs

• Edutainment - Content of product provides users with specific skills -- either development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of the product

• Fantasy violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life

• Informational - Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials, or instructional text

• Intense violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death

• Language - Mild to moderate use of profanity

• Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music

• Mature humor - Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references

• Mild violence - Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations

• Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity

• Partial nudity - Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity

• Real gambling - Players can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency

• Sexual themes - Mild to moderate sexual references and/or depictions. May include partial nudity

• Sexual violence - Depictions of rape or other sexual acts

• Simulated gambling - Players can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency

• Some adult assistance may be needed - Intended for very young ages

• Strong language - Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity

• Strong lyrics - Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music

• Strong sexual content - Graphic references to and/or depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity

• Suggestive themes - Mildly provocative references or materials

• Tobacco reference - Reference to and/or images of tobacco products

• Use of drugs - The consumption or use of illegal drugs

• Use of alcohol - The consumption of alcoholic beverages

• Use of tobacco - The consumption of tobacco products

• Violence - Scenes involving aggressive conflict

See also

• Games
• Developers & Publishers
• News
• System Info & Reviews