Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Organization Overview
Important
- ESRB ratings apply only to games, not to non-game applications.
- Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch are not region locked so it is possible to play games not rated by the ESRB (e.g., games rated by CERO and PEGI). By using Custom Settings for the Restriction Level, you can select a different Software Rating Organization to determine your Restricted Software setting. If you start a game that has not been rated by the Software Rating Organization you selected, the system will apply the closest equivalent software Restriction Level.
Game ratings are another great tool for finding entertainment that is right for your family. All games for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch sold in the U.S. and Canada carry Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings on the front and back of the box. For digital games sold in the Nintendo eShop or on the Nintendo Store, the ESRB ratings are displayed prior to purchase. These ratings help parents make informed choices about suitable video game content.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that assigns age and content ratings for video games. ESRB ratings provide concise and impartial guidance about game content in two parts: a Rating Category that suggests age appropriateness, and Content Descriptors that indicate elements of particular interest or concern.
For Parental Controls, the Software Rating Organization setting establishes the body whose rating standards apply to your Restricted Software setting. Since the Parental Controls allow the use of Restriction Level presets for Teen, Pre-Teen, Child, and Custom Settings (by age), it is important to understand how the ESRB rating interacts with these levels. Use the key below to understand what software can be played based on the Restriction Level.
| Set this Preset or Age | ESRB Rating | ||
| Preset | Age | Restricted Software | Playable Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child | 0 - 3+ | E, E10+, T, M | EC |
| 4+ | |||
| 5+ | |||
| 6+ | E10+, T, M | EC, E | |
| 7+ | |||
| 8+ | |||
| 9+ | |||
| Pre-Teen | 10+ | T, M | EC, E, E10+ |
| 11+ | |||
| 12+ | |||
| Teen | 13+ | M | EC, E, E10+, T |
| 14+ | |||
| 15+ | |||
| 16+ | |||
| N/A | 17+ | No restrictions | EC, E, E10+, T, M |
| 18+ | |||
Look for more information, including Rating Summaries which provide a brief explanation of why a particular rating was assigned, on the ESRB's website and via its free mobile app.
