ESRB Ratings
Authority: Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
The Entertainment Software Rating Board rates games from E (Everyone) to AO (Adults Only). E suits ages 6+, E10+ suits ages 10+, T (Teen) suits ages 13+, M (Mature) suits ages 17+, and AO restricts content to adults 18 and older; RP marks a rating still pending submission.
| Rating | Age Suitability | Content Description |
|---|---|---|
| E - Everyone | 6+ | Minimal cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence and/or infrequent mild language |
| E10+ - Everyone 10+ | 10+ | More cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes |
| T - Teen | 13+ | Violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent strong language |
| M - Mature | 17+ | Intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language |
| AO - Adults Only | 18+ | Content suitable only for adults; may include prolonged graphic violence or explicit sexual content |
| RP - Rating Pending | N/A | Submitted for rating but not yet finalized; used temporarily in pre-release advertising |
History & Origin
The ESRB was created in 1994 in direct response to a political controversy over violent video game content. In 1993, US Senators Joe Lieberman and Herb Kohl held Congressional hearings spotlighting games like Mortal Kombat and Night Trap, questioning the industry's lack of any content labeling and raising the prospect of government regulation. Facing that pressure, the video game industry moved to self-regulate: rather than adopt an existing single-publisher rating scheme, the newly formed Entertainment Software Association established the ESRB as an independent, vendor-neutral body so no single company's system would dominate.
The resulting voluntary rating system let publishers label content consistently across the industry while keeping the government out of game content regulation directly. Major retailers in the US now require an ESRB rating to stock a physical game, which in practice makes the voluntary system close to mandatory for any game seeking wide retail distribution.
Related Pages
Referenced By
ACB Ratings
Australia's Classification Board rates games G, PG, M, MA 15+, R 18+, or Refused Classification (RC). G and PG are advisory for general and younger audiences; M is recommended for mature audiences; MA 15+ and R 18+ are legally restricted by age; RC content cannot legally be sold, hired, or exhibited in Australia at all.
Comparison TableUSK Ratings
Germany's Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle rates games under five legally binding age categories: USK 0, 6, 12, 16, and 18. Each threshold is set in German youth protection law, and retailers must enforce the printed age at the point of sale; USK 18 titles are not approved for anyone under 18.
Comparison TableCERO Ratings
Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization rates games from A (All ages) to Z (18 and up only). B suits ages 12+, C suits ages 15+, and D suits ages 17+; Z is a legally restricted category, and retailers in Japan can be penalized for selling a Z-rated game to a minor.