ESRB

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File:ESRB logo.png
The ESRB logo

The Electronic Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the American organization which rates the video games released in North America. In Europe it is the Pan European Game Information (PEGI). The ESRB has been widely criticized for its lack of strictness, with its critics stating that the ESRB rates games much lower than it deserves, so more copies of the game will be sold.[citation needed]

Rating Scale

The rating system is as follows.

Early Childhood

EC.jpg

Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate. It is the equivalent of a TV-Y rated TV show. No games created by Nintendo are rated EC for unknown reasons, the others were Rated M and Rated AO. In April 2018 the rating was retired.

Everyone

Everyone.jpg

Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for all ages. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. It is the equivalent of a G rated movie.

Everyone 10+

E10.jpg

Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes. It is the equivalent of a PG rated movie.

Teen

Teen.jpg

Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood and/or infrequent use of strong language. It is the equivalent of a PG-13 rated movie.

Mature

Mature.jpg

Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, knives, alcohol and/or strong language. It is the equivalent of a R rated movie. none of them being Nintendo games were rated M.

Adults Only

Adults only.jpg

Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence, frequent use of Strong Language and/or graphic sexual content, pornography and nudity. It is the equivalent of a NC-17 rated movie. Only 25 games have been given this rating, none of them being Nintendo games.

Rating Pending

ESRB RP Symbol.png

Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) - have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to an upcoming game's release.) It is the equivalent of Not Rated (NR).

The Legend of Zelda Ratings

Although the Zelda games have been around longer than the ESRB, every main Zelda game has an ESRB rating due to re-releases. Almost all have been rated E for Everyone.

Game Rating
The Legend of Zelda Everyone.jpg
The Adventure of Link Everyone.jpg
A Link to the Past Everyone.jpg
Link's Awakening
Link's Awakening DX
Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch
Everyone.jpg
Ocarina of Time Everyone.jpg
Ocarina of Time 3D E10.jpg
Majora's Mask Teen.jpg [note 1]
Majora's Mask 3D E10.jpg
Oracle of Seasons Everyone.jpg
Oracle of Ages Everyone.jpg
Four Swords
Four Swords Anniversary Edition
Everyone.jpg
The Wind Waker Everyone.jpg
The Wind Waker HD E10.jpg
Four Swords Adventures Everyone.jpg
The Minish Cap Everyone.jpg
Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess HD
Teen.jpg
Phantom Hourglass Everyone.jpg
Spirit Tracks E10.jpg
Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword HD
E10.jpg
A Link Between Worlds Everyone.jpg
Breath of the Wild E10.jpg
Game Rating
Zelda (Game & Watch) Everyone.jpg
Zelda's Adventure Everyone.jpg
Link's Crossbow Training Teen.jpg
Hyrule Warriors
Hyrule Warriors Legends
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Teen.jpg
Cadence of Hyrule Everyone.jpg
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Teen.jpg

Notes

  1. Majora's Mask was rated E by the ESRB until it was re-released via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.