About Age Ratings

Games available on Nintendo Switch will have one of the following age-appropriate rating icons displayed on them. This is decided by an industry ratings board. Please use these ratings to help you ensure your children stay safe as they play on the Nintendo Switch console.

A variety of expressions are present in games, but you can set what games your child may play, in accordance with ESRB and PEGI age ratings.

ESRB Rating

The Entertainment Games Rating Board (ESRB) used in the United States and Canada is comprised of three parts: rating category, content descriptors, and interactive elements.

Rating Categories

The rating category is indicated on the front of the games's packaging and suggests the suitable ages for a title.

Everyone (E):
For all ages

Everyone 10+ (E10+):
Ages 10 years and up

Teen (T):
Ages 13 years and up

Mature (M):
Ages 17 years and up

Adult only 18+:
Ages 18 years and up

  • The ESRB age rating is not an indication of game difficulty.

Content Descriptors

The content descriptors can be found on the back of the packaging, and indicate the wording on which the age category has been determined.

Alcohol Reference

Animated Blood

Cartoon Violence

Comic Mischief

Fantasy Violence

Crude Humor

Language

Use of Tobacco

Interactive Elements

Interactive elements highlight interactive or online features, such as whether there is user interaction. There may be descriptions for functions not available in your region.

In-Game Purchases

In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

Users Interact

Shares Location

Unrestricted Internet

You can also check the rating category, content descriptor and interactive elements on a games's page.

PEGI Ratings

PEGI (Pan European Game Information) age rating system rates titles and is used in European countries. It is made up of a rating category and content descriptor icon.

  • For details on the PEGI age rating system, please see the PEGI website.

Rating Categories

The rating category is indicated on the front of the games's packaging and suggests the suitable ages for a title.

For ages 3+

For ages 7+

For ages 12+

For ages 16+

For ages 18+

  • The PEGI age rating is not an indication of game difficulty.

You can also check the rating category, content descriptor and interactive elements on a games's page.