Check the ESRB Rating Before You Buy!

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a voluntary group that rates the content of video games, including console (Xbox, PlayStation, etc) games and PC games. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) -- the leading trade association of the video games industry -- created the ESRB in 1994. Although the rating system is technically voluntary, nearly all video games are submitted for rating. Many retail stores prohibit the sale of unrated video games and the major console manufacturers will not license games for their systems unless they carry ESRB ratings with video games sales topping $7 billion in 2004, the focus on game ratings will only intensify. A minimum of three game raters are responsible for rating each game.

ESRB RATING SYMBOL

Early Childhood (EC)
Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) that may be suitable for children over 3 years. It contains no material that parents would find inappropriate. 

Everyone (E)
Titles rated E (Everyone) may be suitable for children over 6 years. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and / or infrequent use of mild language.


Over 10 years (E10+)
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.
 
Teen (T)
Titles rated T (Teen) may be suitable for children 13 years. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and / or infrequent use of strong language.
 
Mature (M)
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for ages older than 17 years. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and / or strong language.
 
Adults Only (AO)
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by people over 18 years. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and / or graphic sexual content and nudity.
 
Rating Pending (RP)
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 publication of a game.)

Source : ESRB Rating Guide