The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a North American rating system for video games that is used within the United States, Canada, and Mexico (digital only). It was established on September 1, 1994 after the senate hearing about violence in video games. [see #History]
The ESRB rating system consists of 5 ratings. E (Everyone, formerly K-A, Kids to Adults), E10+ (Everyone 10 and Up), T (Teen), M (Mature), AO (Adults Only), [see #Ratings] and formerly EC (Early Childhood), which was discontinued on March 1, 2018.
Since May 27th, 2021, rating systems have changed in Mexico. It has been crossed rated with the General Directorate of Radio, Television and Cinematography.
History[]
Founding[]
The Entertainment Software Rating Board was established in September 1st, 1994 in response to Senate hearings about violence in video games, prompted by games like Mortal Kombat and Night Trap (although violence has appeared in video games as early as the mid-1970s). It succeeded the Videogame Rating Council that was used for Sega's video games and the 3DO age ratings for 3DO video games. The initial ratings were RP (rating pending), EC, K-A, T, M, and AO. K-A was initially supposed to be E, but trademark issues prevented the use of an "E" icon.
Later era[]
K-A was renamed to E on January 1, 1998, likely for avoiding confusion with the M rating at a glance.
In late 1999, the original stylized pixel letter icons for the ratings were changed to be solid black, increasing readability.
The E10+ rating was introduced on March 2, 2005. Some games with the E or T rating were given the rating in later re-releases.
The Interactive Elements were introduced on April 2011 to provide online interactions when gaming online (such as digital gaming).
On August 4, 2013, the rating icons were redesigned. The rating text is now in a white background and the "Content rated by" part was removed, leaving only the ESRB name at the bottom.
On March 1, 2018, the EC rating was removed from the system because of the low usage and was replaced by the already-existing E rating, another rating suitable for children (but generally indicates that a game is suitable for all ages, including adults).
The Likely Mature label used on the Rating Pending rating was added in August 2021.
Mexican cross system[]
On November 27, 2020, the General Directorate of Radio, Television and Cinematography announced that they were replacing the the ESRB in Mexico. This happened in approximately six months later, on May 27, 2021. However, this only means that the new rating system is used for physical releases, as the ESRB ratings are still used on digital storefronts. The ESRB remains supported in Mexico, using a cross-rating system below:
- E rated video games are rated A in Mexico.
- E10+ rated video games are rated B in Mexico.
- T rated video games are rated B15 in Mexico.
- M rated video games are rated C in Mexico.
- AO rated video games are rated D in Mexico.
- RP/RP Likely M rated video games are rated P in Mexico.
Ratings[]
| Rating | Overview | From | Until | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EC (Early Childhood) | Video games with this rating are suitable for preschoolers (ages 2-6). This was originally suitable for ages 3 and up, but was changed to preschool players (ages 2-6) until it was retired on March 1, 2018. The first game to get this rating was There Goes A Fire Truck for the PC, the first console game being Muzzy on the Philips CD-i, and the first game on a mainstream console being an unknown digital PS3 title. The last game to get the EC rating was Dora and Team Umizoomi's Fantastic Flight. | September 1, 1994 | March 1, 2018 | 
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| E (Everyone) | Video games with this rating are suitable for all ages. E was originally described as being suitable for aged 6 and up, but was later changed to be suitable for all ages. Formerly known as Kids to Adults (K-A) until January 1st, 1998. These video games are rated A in Mexico. The first game to get this rating was Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars. | K-A: September 1, 1994
E: January 1, 1998 |
Present | 
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| E10+ (Everyone 10+) | Video games with this rating are suitable for ages 10 and up. This is the newest rating in the ESRB's rating lineup, introduced on March 2, 2005. These video games are rated B in Mexico. The first game to get this rating was Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge, as a testing game in 2004, with Donkey Kong Jungle Beat being the first title to get this rating officially. | 2004 (Accidental)
March 2, 2005 (official) |
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| T (Teen) | Video games with this rating are suitable for ages 13 and up. This is the highest advisory rating in Canada. These video games are rated B15 in Mexico. The first game to get this rating was Pitfall. | September 1, 1994 | 
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| M (Mature) | Video games with this rating are suitable for ages 17 and up. In the United States, no laws are enforced (although some businesses have policies to prohibit sales to a person under the age of 17). In Canada, under provincial laws, it is illegal to supply M-rated video games to people under 17 years of age. These video games are rated C in Mexico. The first game to get this rating was Doom. | 
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| AO (Adults Only) | Video games with this rating are suitable only for ages 18 and up. In stores, anyone buying an AO-rated video game must be 18 years or older, and must not be supplied to children under 18. These video games are rated D in Mexico. The first game to get this rating was Crystal Fantasy and the latest game to get this was Hatred. | 
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| RP (Rating Pending) | Video games with this rating have not yet been rated by the ESRB (some video games may show the label Likely Mature, which are used when the game is expected to receive an M rating). Unrated video games are rated P in Mexico. | January 1, 1993
August 2021 (addition of Likely Mature label) |
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Equivalents[]
- EC: TV-Y (US TV) and C (Canadian TV)
- E: TV-Y7 and TV-G (US TV), G (Canadian/Quebec TV and movies and US movies)
- E10+: TV-Y7-FV and TV-PG (US TV), PG (Canadian TV and movies and US movies), G (with warning: Quebec), C8 (Canadian TV), 8+ (Quebec TV)
- T: PG-13 (US movies), 14A (Canadian movies), TV-14 (US TV), 14+ (Canadian TV), 13+ (Quebec)
- M: R (US movies), 18A (Canadian movies), TV-MA (US TV), 16+ (Quebec)
- AO: NC-17 (US movies), R and A (Canadian movies), 18+ (Canadian TV and Quebec)
Content descriptors[]
The ESRB uses 30 current content descriptors for all current ratings (e.g., violence, blood, language, sexual content, nudity, and substances). The ESRB has executive descriptors that very few (if any) rating systems have used.
| Category | Subcategories |
|---|---|
| Violence | Mild Fantasy Violence Fantasy Violence Mild Violence Intense Violence Sexual Violence Violent References Mild Animated Violence (former) Animated Violence (former) Mild Cartoon Violence (former) Cartoon Violence (former) Mild Realistic Violence (former) Realistic Violence (former) |
| Blood | Animated Blood Mild Blood Blood and Gore Animated Blood and Gore (former) Realistic Blood (former) Realistic Blood and Gore (former) |
| Suggestive Themes | Mild Suggestive Themes Mild Sexual Themes Sexual Themes Mature Sexual Themes (former) |
| Sexual Content | Strong Sexual Content |
| Nudity | Partial Nudity |
| Language | Mild Language Strong Language Mild Lyrics Lyrics Strong Lyrics |
| Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco | Alcohol/Drug/Tobacco Reference Use of Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco |
| Gambling | Gambling Themes (current) Simulated Gambling Real Gambling Gaming (former) |
| Crude Humor | Comic Mischief Mature Humor |
| Edutainment (former) | Informational (former) |
| Others | Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed (former) Reading Skills (former) Fine Motor Skills (former) Higher-Level Thinking Skills (former) |
Interactive elements[]
The In-Game Purchases element was added on February 28, 2018 (which replaced the EC) in response to the increasingly predatory landscape of microtransactions in the console video game industry (Includes Random items was introduced on April 13, 2020 in the case there are random items in a video game). The ESRB uses six current Interactive Elements.
- In-Game Purchases (this includes random items)
- Users Interact
- Shares Location
- Unrestricted Internet (e.g., embedded browser)
- Online Music not rated by the ESRB (if music has not been rated)
Cultural differences[]
- Some games that were rated T by the ESRB are rated Z by CERO, especially GoldenEye 007 and Jet Force Gemini on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 18+.
- Some games that were rated E by the ESRB are rated 12 by PEGI/IGAC, especially due to PEGI being strict with gambling, including Super Mario 64 DS, New Super Mario Bros. U, Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow versions (2016, 2003 version kept 3+), and 51 Worldwide Games.
- Some games that were rated E by the ESRB are rated 18 by GRAC, for example, 51 Worldwide Games.
- Some games that were rated T by the ESRB are rated 18 by PEGI/IGAC, for example, 80 Days & Overboard.
- Some games that were rated M by the ESRB are rated 12 by PEGI/IGAC, for example, Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm and X Blades.
- Some games that were rated T by the ESRB are rated 16 by PEGI/IGAC, which is not common, for example, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
- Some games that were rated E10+ by the ESRB are rated 3/4 by PEGI/IGAC, like Nickelodeon's Barnyard: The Original Party Animals (THQ/Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies/United International Pictures) and most entries in the Just Dance franchise. (Ubisoft slowed the trend after 2022 when they changed to E)
- Some games that were rated E by the ESRB are rated 7/6 by PEGI/IGAC, like SpongeBob HeroPants and Miitopia.
- Some games that were rated E10+ by the ESRB are rated 18 by PEGI/IGAC, for example, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, due to PEGI's stricter policy for simulated gambling.
- Some games that were rated E10+ by the ESRB are rated 12 by PEGI/IGAC, for example, Balatro
- Some games that were rated M by the ESRB are rated B by CERO, for example, Persona.
- Some games that are considered family-friendly or teen-appropriate by the ESRB are rated 18+ by RARS, especially due to RARS being strict with homosexual content, including Miitopia, Just Dance 2022, and The Sims 4.
| Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) |
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Current ratings     
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