ESRB Ratings Guide: Gaming Explained for Parents

So your kid is playing Persona 5, and on the surface it looks like any anime game about high school friendships and battling supernatural forces. Which… it is. But ratings exist because “on the surface” isn’t always the full picture.

This ESRB ratings guide helps you understand so you can make more informed decisions about games without needing to learn the entire gaming industry first.

And if you’re here hoping this will confirm that GTA VI is totally fine for younger players… this may not go the way you want.

Brief History of ESRB Ratings

The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) was created in the early 1990s in response to growing concerns about violent and sexual content in video games. Its purpose is to give consumers a clearer idea of what’s in a game before they buy it.

It’s used in the United States and Canada. In Europe, the equivalent system is PEGI (Pan European Game Information), which uses a different structure and rating style.

While ESRB ratings are part of an industry-managed system, they are widely adopted by console manufacturers and major retailers in North America. They’ve become the standard reference point for game content.

ESRB Ratings Chart: How to Read Them

There are three main things to look for:

• Rating Categories: Suggest age suitability
• Content Descriptors: Explain specific types of content that may be sensitive
• Interactive Elements: Highlight online or user interaction features

1. Rating Categories

There are five main rating categories, plus a couple of special cases used during development and marketing.

If you’re reading this via mobile, tap on each categories to flip the card for further details. On desktop, hover your pointer to auto-flip the card.

Everyone

Content is generally suitable for all ages. May include minimal cartoon or fantasy violence and infrequent mild language.

E.g: Minecraft and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Everyone 10+

Suitable for ages 10 and up. May include slightly more cartoon or fantasy violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes.

E.g: Splatoon 3 and Super Smash Bros.

Teen

Suitable for ages 13 and up. May include violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent strong language.

E.g: Fortnite and The Legend of Zelda.

Mature 17+

Intended for ages 17 and up. May include intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.

E.g: Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us.

Adult Only 18+

Suitable only for adults. May include prolonged intense violence, graphic sexual content, or gambling with real-world stakes. These titles are extremely rare in mainstream retail.

E.g: Hatred and Thrill Kill.

Rating Pending

Used in marketing and promotional materials before a final rating is assigned. It’s replaced once the official ESRB rating is confirmed.

Rating Pending – Likely Mature 17+

A provisional label sometimes used when a game is expected to receive an “M” rating, but hasn’t been finalized yet.

2. Content Descriptors

Content Descriptors give more detail about why a game received its rating. While the rating category tells you the general age suitability, descriptors highlight specific elements that might be worth a closer look.

Keep in mind: Content Descriptors are not a complete checklist of everything in a game. They focus on the most notable or potentially sensitive content.

When a descriptor includes the term “Mild”, it indicates that the content appears with low frequency, intensity, or severity compared to standard versions of that descriptor.

3. Interactive Elements

Interactive Elements focus on a different aspect entirely. It focuses on how players interact with the game and with other people.

These labels do not affect the age rating, but they flag features that may matter for safety, privacy, or spending.

In-Game Purchases

Indicates that the game offers digital items or content that can be purchased with real-world money.

This can include cosmetic items (like skins), additional levels, virtual currency, subscriptions, season passes, or upgrades (such as removing ads).

In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

This is a more specific version of the previous label.

It means players can spend money on items without knowing exactly what they’ll receive beforehand. Common examples include loot boxes, card packs, or mystery rewards.

For those concerned about gambling-like mechanics typically found in gacha games, this is the label to look out for.

Users Interact

Indicates that players can communicate or share content with others.

This may include text chat, voice chat, or user-generated content. Because interactions are not fully moderated, players may be exposed to unfiltered or uncensored content from other users.

Shares Location

Indicates that the game or app can display a user’s location to other players.

This is more common in mobile or AR-based games and may raise privacy considerations depending on how the feature is used.

Unrestricted Internet

Indicates that the game includes access to the broader internet, such as through a built-in browser or search functionality.

This means players could encounter content outside the scope of the game’s rating.

Online Music Not Rated by the ESRB

This label appears in music-based games.

It indicates that songs streamed or downloaded as additional content have not been rated, and their lyrics or themes were not considered when assigning the game’s ESRB rating.

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