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.

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.

Substances

Alcohol Reference	Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
Tobacco Reference	Reference to and/or images of tobacco products
Use of Drugs	The consumption or use of illegal drugs
Drug Reference	Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs
Use of Alcohol	The consumption of alcoholic beverages
Use of Tobacco	The consumption of tobacco products

Blood/Gore

Animated Blood	Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood
Blood and Gore	Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts
Blood	Depictions of blood

Humor

Comic Mischief	Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor
Mature Humor	Depictions or dialogue involving “adult” humor, including sexual references
Crude Humor	Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor

Violence

Fantasy Violence	Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life
Violence	Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment
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
Violent References	References to violent acts

Gambling

Gambling Theme	Prominently featured images or activities that are typically associated with real-world gambling even if they are not directly simulating a gambling experience
Simulated Gambling	Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.Typically assigned to simulations of casino-based gambling.
Real Gambling	Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency

Language

Language	Mild to moderate use of profanity
Strong Language	Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity
Lyrics	Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
Strong Lyrics	Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music

Nudity

Nudity	Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
Partial Nudity	Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity

Sexuality

Sexual Content	Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity
Sexual Violence	Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts
Sexual Theme	References to sex or sexuality
Suggestive Theme	Mild provocative references or materials
Strong Sexual Content	Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity

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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