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The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is an organization that applies ratings for video games in the Americas. It started in 1994. The ESRB rates games based on the graphic material, language, references to alcohol, violence, and so on.

Some content descriptors are listed below, along with games that have gotten them. Few games get the rating Early Childhood and Adults Only, unless they were specifically made for that target audience (other than instances like the infamous Hot Coffee incident with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows.).

Ratings[]

The symbols ESRB uses are stylized alphabetical letters meant to indicate the game's suitability.

Unrestricted ratings[]

Abbreviation Rating Active
since
Description Age
suitable
ESRB E (2013) Everyone (E)
TodosMexico
Enfants et AdultesCanada
1998 Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. All Ages (2014-present)
ESRB E10 (2013) Everyone 10+ (E10+)
Todos +10Mexico
Enfants et Adultes 10+Canada
2004 Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. 10+
ESRB T (2013) Teen (T)
AdolescentesMexico
AdolescentsCanada
1994 Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language. 13+

Restricted ratings[]

Abbreviation Rating Active
since
Description Notes Age
suitable
ESRB M (2013) Mature 17+ (M)
Maduro +17Mexico
Jeunes AdultesCanada
1994 Content is generally suitable for anyone aged 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, nudity and/or strong language. Retailers or storefronts may refuse to sell M-rated video games to anyone under the age of 17 unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. ID's may be asked for proof of age. 17+
ESRB AO (2013) Adults Only (AO)
Adultos ÚnicamenteMexico
Adultes SeulementCanada
1994 Content is suitable only for anyone aged 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, blood and gore, graphic sexual content including nudity, and/or gambling with real currency. Storefronts may refuse to sell AO-rated video games to anyone under the age of 18, even if a 17 year old is accompanied by a parent or guardian, is still no. ID's may be asked for proof of age. Nintendo does not allow any games rated AO to be published for their consoles. 18+

Other ratings[]

Abbreviation Rating Active
since
Description Examples
ESRB RP (2013) Rating Pending (RP)
Aún Sin CalificarMexico
Côté en AttenteCanada
1994 Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating. Appears only in advertising, marketing and promotional materials related to a game that is expected to carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced by a game's rating once it has been assigned. Upcoming video games, playable demos
ESRB 2013 Shares Info Shares Info
Información CompartidaMexico
2013 Indicates that personal information which has been provided by a user is shared via third-party programs.
ESRB 2013 Shares Location Shares Location
Ubicación ComparteMexico
2013 Users of the same app can share their locations with others.
ESRB 2013 Users Interact Users Interact
Interacción de UsuariosMexico
2013 Indicates that users can chat user-to-user and may be exposed to unfiltered, user-generated content. Social media apps
This product does not require age classification 1994 Products with this are exempt from the ESRB system due to their content not being game related. applications, books, subscription services

Discontinued ratings[]

Abbreviation Rating Active Description Age
suitable
Early Childhood Early Childhood (EC)
Niños PequenosMexico
Jeunes EnfantsCanada
1994-2014 Content is intended for young children. In 2014, the EC rating was no longer used for video games, they will instead be rated E. 3+
ESRB KA Kids to Adults (K-A)
Niños a AdultosMexico
Enfants aux AdultesCanada
19941998 These titles will appeal to people of many ages and tastes. Titles in this category may contain minimal violence, some comic mischief (i.e. slapstick and gross-out comedy), or some crude language. This rating got replaced in the year 1998 by the E rating, which replaced all previously rated games that were Kids to Adults. 6+

Previous designs[]

Year Early Childhood Kids to Adults
Everyone
Everyone 10+ Teen Mature 17+ Adults Only 18+ Rating Pending
19941999 ESRB EC (1994-1996) ESRB KA (1994-1996) ESRB T (1994-1996) ESRB M (1994-1996)
19961998 ESRB EC (1996) ESRB KA (1996-1998) ESRB T (1996-1998) ESRB M (1996-1998) ESRB AO (1996)
19981999 ESRB EC (1996) ESRB E (1998-1999) ESRB T (1998-1999) ESRB M (1998-1999) ESRB AO (1996)
19992001 ESRB EC (1999–2002) ESRB E (1999-2001) ESRB T (1999-2001) ESRB M (1999-2001) ESRB AO (1999)
20002003 ESRB EC (2000-2003) ESRB E (2000-2003) ESRB T (2000-2003) ESRB M (2000-2003) ESRB AO (2000-2003) ESRB RP (2000-2003)
20032013 ESRB EC (2003-2013) ESRB E (2003-2013) ESRB E10 (2003-2013)(2005 – 2013) ESRB T (2003-2013) ESRB M (2003-2013) ESRB AO (2003-2013) ESRB RP (2003-2013)

Content[]

Rating Description Which ratings it is used for
Alcohol Reference Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Animated Blood Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Blood Depictions of blood. E (Mild), E10+ (Mild), T (Normal or Realistic), M (Realistic), AO (Realistic)
Blood and Gore Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts. E10+ (Animated), T (Normal or Realistic), M (Realistic), AO (Realistic)
Cartoon Violence Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted E, E10+, T, M, AO
Comic Mischief Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Crude Humor Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Drug Reference Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs. E10+, T, M, AO
Fantasy Violence Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life. E, E10+, T, M, AO
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. M, AO
Language Moderate use of profanity. E (Mild), E10+, T, M, AO
Lyrics Moderate references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music. E (Rare), E10+, T, M, AO
Mature Humor Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references. T, M, AO
Mild Blood Mild depictions of blood. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Mild Cartoon Violence mild violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include mild violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted E, E10+, T, M, AO
Mild Fantasy Violence Mild violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.
Mild Language Mild use of profanity. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Mild Lyrics Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Mild Suggestive Themes Very mild provocative references or materials. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Mild Violence Mild Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain mild bloodless dismemberment. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Nudity Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity. T (Rare), M, AO
Partial Nudity Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity. E10+ (Rare), T, M, AO
Real Gambling Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency. M (Rare), AO
Sexual Content Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity. T, M, AO
Sexual Themes References to sex or sexuality. E10+ (Mild), T (Normal or Mature), M (Mature), AO (Mature)
Sexual Violence Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts. (Is used very rare). T (Mild), M, AO
Simulated Gambling Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Strong Language Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity. T, M, AO
Strong Lyrics Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music.
Strong Sexual Content Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity. M, AO
Suggestive Themes Mild provocative references or materials. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Tobacco Reference Reference to and/or images of tobacco products. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Use of Alcohol The consumption of alcoholic beverages. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Use of Drugs The consumption or use of illegal drugs. T, M, AO
Use of Tobacco The consumption of tobacco products. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Violence Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment. E (Mild or Animated), E10+ (Normal or Mild Realistic), T (Realistic), M (Realistic), AO (Realistic)
Violent References References to violent acts. E, E10+, T, M, AO
Reading Skills, Fine motor Skills, Higher-Level Thinking Skills These phrases are found only on products rated Early Childhood and indicate whether children's reading, computer, or other skills are used in these titles. EC
Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed Intended for very young ages EC
Realistic Blood Stronger version of blood. T (Rare), M, AO
Realistic Blood and Gore Stronger version of blood and gore T (Rare), M, AO
Animated Blood and Gore Gore with animated blood, or gore with no blood. E10+ (Rare), T, M, AO
Mild Sexual Themes Mild references to sex or sexuality. E10+ (Rare), T, M, AO
Mature Sexual Themes Stronger version of sexual themes. T (Rare), M, AO
Realistic Violence Stronger version of violence. May contain realistic bloodless dismemberment. T, M, AO
Animated Violence Weaker version of violence. May contain animated bloodless dismemberment E, E10+, T, M, AO
Mild Realistic Violence Stronger version of mild violence. May contain mild realistic bloodless dismemberment. (Is used very rare). E10+ (Rare), T, M, AO
Mild Animated Violence Weaker version of mild violence. May contain mild animated bloodless dismemberment E, E10+, T, M, AO
Gambling Betting-like behavior. AO

Where ESRB is used[]

Country Notes
Canada ESRB is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce the age classification in shops where video games are sold.
Legally enforced by the Ontario Film Review Board in Ontario
Legally enforced by the Manitoba Film Classification Board in Manitoba

In Nova Scotia, the T age rating is also enforced

Malaysia Not officially recognized or enforced. ESRB ratings are found on official Nintendo products in this country.
Mexico ESRB is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce the age classification in shops where video games are sold.
Saudi Arabia Not officially recognized or enforced. ESRB ratings are found on official Nintendo products in this country.
Singapore Not officially recognized or enforced. ESRB ratings are found on official Nintendo products in this country.
United Arab Emirates Not officially recognized or enforced. ESRB ratings are found on official Nintendo products in this country.
United States ESRB is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce the age classification in shops where video games are sold.
A series of senate hearings in 1992 and 1994 created the ESRB

Trivia[]

  • The first game ever to be rated E10+ was Nintendo's Donkey Kong Jungle Beat for the GameCube. This caused Sega to change parts of Shadow the Hedgehog with some language being changed and blood being changed from red to other colors, but some of the frequently used language was rated that way.
  • Mortal Kombat (1993) is the main game known for the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), due to its graphic fatalities.

See also[]

External links[]

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