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{{VG Company |
{{VG Company |
||
| name = Entertainment Software Rating Board |
| name = Entertainment Software Rating Board |
||
− | | image = [[File: |
+ | | image = [[File:Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).svg|200px]] |
| caption = |
| caption = |
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| founded = [[1994]] |
| founded = [[1994]] |
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| people = |
| people = |
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| products = |
| products = |
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− | | website = [ |
+ | | website = [https://www.esrb.org/ www.esrb.org] |
}} |
}} |
||
− | The '''Entertainment Software Rating Board''' |
+ | 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== |
==Ratings== |
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!Age<br />suitable |
!Age<br />suitable |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[ |
+ | |[[File:ESRB - E.svg|100px]]||'''Everyone''' (E)<br />'''Todos'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />'''Enfants et Adultes'''[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]||[[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) |
||
− | All ages |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[ |
+ | |[[File:ESRB - E 10+.svg|100px]]||'''Everyone 10+''' (E10+)<br />'''Todos +10'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />'''Enfants et Adultes 10+'''[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]||[[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+ |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[ |
+ | |[[File:ESRB - T.svg|100px]]||'''Teen''' (T)<br />'''Adolescentes'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />'''Adolescents'''[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]||[[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+ |
|} |
|} |
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!Age<br />suitable |
!Age<br />suitable |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[ |
+ | |[[File:ESRB - M.svg|100px]]||'''Mature 17+''' (M)<br />'''Maduro +17'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />'''Jeunes Adultes'''[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]||[[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+ |
|17+ |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[ |
+ | |[[File:ESRB - AO.svg|100px]]||'''Adults Only''' (AO)<br />'''Adultos Únicamente'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />'''Adultes Seulement'''[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]||[[1994]]||Content is suitable only for anyone aged 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, 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 regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. ID's may be asked for proof of age. Nintendo does not allow any games rated AO to be published for their consoles. |
− | None of Nintendo games are ever rated by AO (rated M instead). 21 games have kept this rating (none of them are released on Nintendo). |
||
|18+ |
|18+ |
||
|} |
|} |
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!Examples |
!Examples |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[ |
+ | |[[File:ESRB - RP.svg|100px]] |
|'''Rating Pending''' (RP)<br />'''Aún Sin Calificar'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />'''Côté en Attente'''[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]<br /> |
|'''Rating Pending''' (RP)<br />'''Aún Sin Calificar'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />'''Côté en Attente'''[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]<br /> |
||
|[[1994]] |
|[[1994]] |
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|Upcoming games, playable demos |
|Upcoming games, playable demos |
||
|- |
|- |
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+ | |[[File:ESRB_2013_Shares_Info.svg|100px]] |
||
− | | |
||
|'''Shares Info'''<br />'''Información Compartida'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]] |
|'''Shares Info'''<br />'''Información Compartida'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]] |
||
|[[2013]] |
|[[2013]] |
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| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
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+ | |[[File:ESRB_2013_Shares_Location.svg|100px]] |
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− | | |
||
|'''Shares Location'''<br />'''Ubicación Comparte'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]] |
|'''Shares Location'''<br />'''Ubicación Comparte'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]] |
||
|[[2013]] |
|[[2013]] |
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| |
| |
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|- |
|- |
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+ | |[[File:ESRB_2013_Users_Interact.svg|100px]] |
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− | | |
||
|'''Users Interact'''<br />'''Interacción de Usuarios'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]] |
|'''Users Interact'''<br />'''Interacción de Usuarios'''[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]] |
||
|[[2013]] |
|[[2013]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| |
| |
||
− | | |
+ | |'''This product does not require age classification''' |
|[[1994]] |
|[[1994]] |
||
|Products with this are exempt from the ESRB system due to their content not being game related. |
|Products with this are exempt from the ESRB system due to their content not being game related. |
||
|applications, books, subscription services |
|applications, books, subscription services |
||
|} |
|} |
||
+ | |||
===Discontinued ratings=== |
===Discontinued ratings=== |
||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%" align="center" border="1" cellpadding="1" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%" align="center" border="1" cellpadding="1" |
||
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!Age<br />suitable |
!Age<br />suitable |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[ |
+ | |[[File:ESRB - EC.svg|100px]]||Early Childhood (EC)<br />Niños Pequenos[[File:Mexico.gif|15px]]<br />Jeunes Enfants[[File:Canada.gif|15px]]||[[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+ |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |[[Image:ESRB_KA.png|100x100px]]|| |
+ | |[[Image:ESRB_KA.png|100x100px]]||Kids to Adults (K-A)||[[1994]]–[[1998]]||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. Examples are [[Castlevania: Dracula X]], [[Super Mario 64]], [[Tetris]] and [[Diddy Kong Racing]]. This rating got replaced in the year 1998 by the E rating, which replaced all previously rated games that were Kids to Adults.||6+ |
|} |
|} |
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!Which ratings it is used for |
!Which ratings it is used for |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Alcohol Reference'''||Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages.||E10+, T, M |
+ | |'''Alcohol Reference'''||Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages.||E, E10+, T, M |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Animated Blood'''||Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood.||E10+, T |
+ | |'''Animated Blood'''||Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood.||E, E10+, T |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Blood'''||Depictions of blood.||T, M |
+ | |'''Blood'''||Depictions of blood.||E (Mild), E10+ (Mild), T, M, AO |
|- |
|- |
||
|'''Blood and Gore'''||Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts.||T, M, AO |
|'''Blood and Gore'''||Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts.||T, M, AO |
||
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|'''Drug Reference'''||Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.||E10+, T, M |
|'''Drug Reference'''||Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.||E10+, T, M |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Fantasy Violence'''||Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.||E, E10+, T |
+ | |'''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 |
|- |
|- |
||
|'''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 |
|'''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'''||Mild to moderate use of profanity.||E10+,T, M |
+ | |'''Language'''||Mild to moderate use of profanity.||E (Mild), E10+,T, M |
|- |
|- |
||
|'''Lyrics'''||Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music.||E (Mild), E10+, T, M |
|'''Lyrics'''||Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music.||E (Mild), E10+, T, M |
||
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|'''Real Gambling'''||Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency.||AO |
|'''Real Gambling'''||Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency.||AO |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Sexual Content'''||Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity.||M |
+ | |'''Sexual Content'''||Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity.||T (Rare), M |
|- |
|- |
||
|'''Sexual Themes'''||References to sex or sexuality.||E10+ (Mild), T, M |
|'''Sexual Themes'''||References to sex or sexuality.||E10+ (Mild), T, M |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Sexual Violence'''||Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts.||AO |
+ | |'''Sexual Violence'''||Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts.||M, AO |
|- |
|- |
||
|'''Simulated Gambling'''||Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.||E, E10+, T, M |
|'''Simulated Gambling'''||Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.||E, E10+, T, M |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Strong Language'''||Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity.||T ( |
+ | |'''Strong Language'''||Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity.||T (formerly), M, AO |
|- |
|- |
||
|'''Strong Lyrics'''||Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music.||T, M, AO |
|'''Strong Lyrics'''||Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music.||T, M, AO |
||
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|'''Strong Sexual Content'''||Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity.||M, AO |
|'''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 |
+ | |'''Suggestive Themes'''||Mild provocative references or materials.||E, E10+ ,T, M |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Tobacco Reference'''||Reference to and/or images of tobacco products.||E10+, T, M |
+ | |'''Tobacco Reference'''||Reference to and/or images of tobacco products.||E, E10+, T, M |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Use of Alcohol'''||The consumption of alcoholic beverages.||E10+, T, M |
+ | |'''Use of Alcohol'''||The consumption of alcoholic beverages.||E (Infrequent), E10+, T, M, AO |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Use of Drugs'''||The consumption or use of illegal drugs.||T, M |
+ | |'''Use of Drugs'''||The consumption or use of illegal drugs.||T, M, AO |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Use of Tobacco'''||The consumption of tobacco products.||T, M |
+ | |'''Use of Tobacco'''||The consumption of tobacco products.||E (Infrequent), E10+, T, M |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Violence'''||Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment.||T, M |
+ | |'''Violence'''||Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment.||E (Mild), E10+, T, M, AO |
|- |
|- |
||
− | |'''Violent References'''||References to violent acts.|| E10+, T, M |
+ | |'''Violent References'''||References to violent acts.|| E, E10+, T, M |
|} |
|} |
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|El Salvador|| |
|El Salvador|| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
− | |French Guiana|| |
+ | |French Guiana||Used alongside [[PEGI]] ratings on French language games. |
|- |
|- |
||
|Guam||Follows U.S. customs |
|Guam||Follows U.S. customs |
||
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==Trivia== |
==Trivia== |
||
− | *The first game ever to be rated |
+ | *The first game ever to be rated E10+ was Nintendo's ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'' for the [[GameCube]]. |
− | * |
+ | *[[Mortal Kombat|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== |
==See also== |
||
*[[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization]] |
*[[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization]] |
||
*[[Pan European Game Information]] |
*[[Pan European Game Information]] |
||
+ | {{Age Raiting System}} |
||
[[Category:Game ratings]] |
[[Category:Game ratings]] |
||
[[Category:Organizations]] |
[[Category:Organizations]] |
Revision as of 14:40, 26 May 2020
|
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Everyone (E) Todos Enfants et Adultes |
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) | |
Everyone 10+ (E10+) Todos +10 Enfants et Adultes 10+ |
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+ | |
Teen (T) Adolescentes Adolescents |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mature 17+ (M) Maduro +17 Jeunes Adultes |
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+ | |
Adults Only (AO) Adultos Únicamente Adultes Seulement |
1994 | Content is suitable only for anyone aged 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, 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 regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rating Pending (RP) Aún Sin Calificar Côté en Attente |
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 games, playable demos | |
Shares Info Información Compartida |
2013 | Indicates that personal information which has been provided by a user is shared via third-party programs. | ||
Shares Location Ubicación Comparte |
2013 | Users of the same app can share their locations with others. | ||
Users Interact Interacción de Usuarios |
2013 | Indicates that users can chat user-to-user and may be exposed to unfiltered, user-generated content. | ||
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 (EC) Niños Pequenos Jeunes Enfants |
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+ | |
Kids to Adults (K-A) | 1994–1998 | 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. Examples are Castlevania: Dracula X, Super Mario 64, Tetris and Diddy Kong Racing. This rating got replaced in the year 1998 by the E rating, which replaced all previously rated games that were Kids to Adults. | 6+ |
Content
Rating | Description | Which ratings it is used for |
---|---|---|
Alcohol Reference | Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages. | E, E10+, T, M |
Animated Blood | Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood. | E, E10+, T |
Blood | Depictions of blood. | E (Mild), E10+ (Mild), T, M, AO |
Blood and Gore | Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts. | T, M, AO |
Cartoon Violence | Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. | E ,E10+, T |
Comic Mischief | Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor. | E, E10+, T |
Crude Humor | Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor. | E (Mild), E10+, T |
Drug Reference | Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs. | E10+, T, M |
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 |
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 | Mild to moderate use of profanity. | E (Mild), E10+,T, M |
Lyrics | Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music. | E (Mild), E10+, T, M |
Mature Humor | Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references. | T, M |
Nudity | Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity. | M, AO |
Partial Nudity | Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity. | T, M |
Real Gambling | Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency. | AO |
Sexual Content | Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity. | T (Rare), M |
Sexual Themes | References to sex or sexuality. | E10+ (Mild), T, M |
Sexual Violence | Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts. | M, AO |
Simulated Gambling | Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency. | E, E10+, T, M |
Strong Language | Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity. | T (formerly), M, AO |
Strong Lyrics | Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music. | T, M, AO |
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 |
Tobacco Reference | Reference to and/or images of tobacco products. | E, E10+, T, M |
Use of Alcohol | The consumption of alcoholic beverages. | E (Infrequent), 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 (Infrequent), E10+, T, M |
Violence | Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment. | E (Mild), E10+, T, M, AO |
Violent References | References to violent acts. | E, E10+, T, M |
Where ESRB is used
Country | Notes |
---|---|
American Samoa | Follows U.S. customs |
Argentina | Used along INCAA ratings. |
Bahamas | |
Belize | |
Bermuda | |
Bolivia | |
Brazil | Used along DJCTQ ratings. |
British Virgin Islands | Follows U.S. customs |
Canada | ESRB is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce the age classification in shops where video games are sold. Used alongside PEGI ratings on French language games. |
Chile | |
Colombia | |
Costa Rica | |
Ecuador | |
El Salvador | |
French Guiana | Used alongside PEGI ratings on French language games. |
Guam | Follows U.S. customs |
Guatemala | |
Guyana | |
Honduras | |
Mexico | ESRB is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce the age classification in shops where video games are sold. |
Nicaragua | |
Northern Mariana Islands | Follows U.S. customs |
Panama | |
Paraguay | |
Peru | |
Puerto Rico | Follows U.S. customs |
Samoa | Follows U.S. customs |
Suriname | |
United States | ESRB is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce the age classification in shops where video games are sold. |
United States Virgin Islands | Follows U.S. customs |
Uruguay | |
Venezuela |
Trivia
- The first game ever to be rated E10+ was Nintendo's Donkey Kong Jungle Beat for the GameCube.
- 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
Game Ratings | |
---|---|
Active | ACB (AU/NZ) • BARS (Brazil) • BBFC (UK)* • CERO (Japan) • ESRA (Iran) • ESRB (US/CA) • FPB (South Africa) • GRAC (South Korea) GSRR (Taiwan) • GCAM (Saudi Arabia) • IARC (WW) • PEGI (Europe/Israel/South Asia) • RARS (Russia) • SMECCV (Mexico) • USK (Germany) |
Defuncted | aDeSe (Spain) • ELSPA (UK) • GRB (South Korea) • KMRB (South Korea) • SELL (France) • VET (Sweden) • VRC (US) |