In the US and Canada, video games are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Every rating has three parts: the age category, the content descriptors, and the interactive elements. Most people only look at the first part. The other two are where the useful detail is.
The rating letters
| Rating | What the ESRB says | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| E Everyone | Generally suitable for all ages | Most Nintendo family games, racers, sports games, Bluey |
| E10+ Everyone 10+ | Generally suitable for ages 10 and up | Often cartoon or fantasy violence. Minecraft, Kirby, Zelda and Astro Bot are all E10+. |
| T Teen | Generally suitable for ages 13 and up | More violence, some language, suggestive themes. Fortnite and Spider-Man 2 are T. |
| M Mature 17+ | Generally suitable for ages 17 and up | Intense violence, blood and gore, strong language, sexual content. Call of Duty and GTA VI are M. |
| AO Adults Only 18+ | Suitable only for adults | Very rare on consoles |
| RP Rating Pending | Not yet rated | Only seen in advertising before release. "RP – Likely Mature 17+" means it's expected to be M. |
A lot of beloved family games are E10+ for cartoon-style violence: bonking enemies, fantasy battles, slapstick. Plenty of families share these with younger kids, especially when a parent plays along. The descriptors tell you whether it's "Cartoon Violence" or something heavier, and that's what to decide on.
Content descriptors: the "why"
Under the letter, the ESRB lists content descriptors explaining what earned the rating. They're things like Fantasy Violence, Cartoon Violence, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor or Use of Drugs.
- "Mild" means the content is low in frequency, intensity or severity. "Mild Fantasy Violence" is a very different thing from "Intense Violence."
- "Fantasy" or "Cartoon" violence involves fantasy or cartoon characters, usually without realistic injury.
- Descriptors aren't a complete list of everything in the game. They flag what may have influenced the rating or what parents might want to know.
Interactive elements: spending and strangers
This is the part most parents miss, and often the part that matters most. Interactive elements describe what a game does, not what it shows. They don't change the rating letter, so an E game can still carry them.
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| In-Game Purchases | The game offers things to buy with real money, like extra levels, outfits, currency or season passes. |
| In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) | Some purchases are a surprise: loot boxes or card packs where you don't know what you'll get before you pay. Sports games like Madden, EA Sports FC and NBA 2K are rated E but carry this label. |
| Users Interact | Players may be exposed to unfiltered content from other users, including chat. This is the label to look for if you're worried about strangers. |
| Shares Location | The game can show the player's location to other users. |
| Unrestricted Internet | The product offers open access to the internet, such as a web browser. |
The rating covers what's in the game itself, not what other players say or do. A cheerful E-rated game with "Users Interact" can still put a child in contact with strangers. Parental controls, not the rating, are how you manage that.
How to check any game in two minutes
- Go to esrb.org and search the game's name, or use the free ESRB app on iOS or Android.
- Find the version for the right console. Different versions occasionally carry different labels.
- Read the rating summary if there is one. It's a short plain-English description of what's actually in the game. Many digital-only games don't have one.
- Check the interactive elements line for purchases and user interaction.
- For extra peace of mind, watch a few minutes of gameplay on YouTube. Seeing the game moving tells you a lot.
Parental controls do the rest
Every major platform has a free phone app for parents. Setting it up before the gift is opened is far easier than after. Our setup checklist covers the timing.
| Platform | App | Key controls |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | PlayStation Family app | Daily playtime limits, monthly spending caps, age-based content presets, communication settings, activity reports |
| Xbox | Xbox Family Settings app | Screen-time schedules, purchase requests and spending, approving friends, online multiplayer controls, activity reports |
| Nintendo | Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app | Play-time limits, restricting games by rating, and on Switch 2, approving who can use GameChat |
| Steam / PC | Steam Families | Which games a child can access, store and chat restrictions, playtime limits, purchase requests |
Real examples from popular games
To show how the pieces fit together, here's how some of this year's popular gift games are labeled on esrb.org:
- Mario Kart World E: Mild Fantasy Violence. Users Interact. No in-game purchases listed.
- Pokémon Pokopia E: no content descriptors, but Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.
- Minecraft E10+: Fantasy Violence. Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.
- Madden NFL 27 E: In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items).
- Fortnite T: Violence, Suggestive Themes, Lyrics. Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.
- Grand Theft Auto VI M: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol. Releases November 19, 2026.
Ready to choose? See our picks for ages 3–5, 6–8, 9–12 and teens.
Quick answers
What age is E10+?
E10+ means the ESRB considers the game generally suitable for ages 10 and up. Many popular family games, including Minecraft, several Kirby games and Donkey Kong Bananza, are rated E10+, usually for cartoon or fantasy violence. Read the descriptors to see why.
Is a T-rated game OK for a 12-year-old?
T means generally suitable for 13 and up. Whether a particular T game is right for a 12-year-old is a parent's call. Read the content descriptors, look at the rating summary on esrb.org, and check whether it includes online chat.
Does the ESRB rating cover online chat?
No. The rating covers the game's own content, not what other players say or do. The 'Users Interact' label is the warning that a game lets players communicate or share content, and parental controls are how you manage it.
Where can I look up a game's rating?
Search the game at esrb.org. Its page lists the rating, the content descriptors and the interactive elements, and many games also have a plain-English rating summary. The ESRB also has a free app for iOS and Android.
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