About Video Game Ratings

Learn More About ESRB
ESRB

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). ESRB independently applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles adopted by the industry.
Check The Rating
The ESRB rating system helps parents and other consumers choose the games that are right for their families. ESRB ratings have two parts: rating symbols that suggest what age group the game is best for, and content descriptors that tell you about content elements that may be of interest or concern. When parents check the rating, the control is in their hands. To take full advantage of the ESRB rating system, it's important to check both the rating symbol (found on the front of the game box) and the content descriptors (found on the back of the game box).

Look for the rating/icon symbols in the lower right and the lower left hand corner on the front of the box.
Descriptors are found on the lower left or right hand corner on the back of the box
ESRB Content Descriptors

  • Alcohol Reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
  • Animated Blood - Cartoon or pixilated 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 - Scenes depicting slapstick or gross vulgar 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 user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of 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 - Vulgar and/or crude jokes and antics including "bathroom" humor
  • Mature Sexual Themes - Provocative material, possibly including partial nudity.
  • Mild Language - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use.
  • Mild Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
  • Mild Violence - Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations.
  • Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity.
  • Partial Nudity - Brief and mild depictions of nudity.
  • Real Gambling - Player 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 - Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.
  • Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed - Early Childhood Descriptor only.
  • Strong Language - Profanity and explicit references to sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use.
  • Strong Lyrics - Profanity and explicit references to sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
  • Strong Sexual Content - Graphic depiction of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity.
  • Suggestive Themes - Mild 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.

    • ESRB Rating Symbols
    EARLY CHILDHOOD


     
    Titles rated EC - Early Childhood have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.
     
    EVERYONE


     
    Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 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 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 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 appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)
     
     
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