Today, I’ll be explaining what an “M rated” game is and what age M rated games are for.
M rated games are games meant for a mature audience that will include content suitable for older players such as blood, gore, sex, drugs, violence, and so forth.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about the M rating.
NOTE: This article includes video game screenshots that may be considered graphic. View at your own discretion.
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What Are M Rated Games?
Mature rated games (or M rated games for short) are games designed for a mature audience.
Who Rates The Games We Play?
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (or ESRB for short) rates games based on their content.
Different regions have different ratings and rating guidelines.
- ESRB rates game for the Americas.
The ESRB designates certain games as rated M for Mature.
- The M stand for Mature.
Mature rating designates a game for a certain audience which will be discussed below.
The ESRB’s Rating System
A game is rated based on its content.
An icon is used on the game’s box to help quickly identify the game’s content
There are 6 possible ratings a game can have.
| RATING | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| E | Everyone |
| E 10+ | Everyone ages 10 and up |
| T | Teens ages 13 and older |
| M | Mature ages 17 and older |
| AO | Adults Only for ages 18 and older |
| RP | Rating Pending games that have yet been rated |
Who Are M Rated Games For?
Mature rated games are for an older, mentally mature audience.
This is due to the type of content one can expect to be included in Mature rated titles.
Expect M rated game content to be similar to content you would see in an R rated movie.
Can Children Play M Rated Games?
The ESRB has designated M rated games to be played by those who are 17 and above.
These games are not suggested for children.
What Sort Of Mature Content Can Be Expected In M Rated Games?
Various strong and graphic content can be expected in M rated titles.
Mature rated titles can include
- Intense violence
- Blood
- Gore
- Strong Sexual content
- Strong language
- Nudity
- Partial nudity
- Revealing clothing
- Crude humor
- Mature humor
- Simulated gambling
- Real gambling
- Drug references
- Drug use
- Alcohol references
A Mature rated game can contain one or more of these content types among others.
Keep in mind that no two Mature rated games will have the same type of content.
Visit the ESRB Website for a full list of content descriptors
What Games Are Rated M For Mature?
Here is a list of 50 popular games rated M for Mature.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Bayonetta
- Bayonetta 2
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Counter-Striker: Global Offensive
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Darksiders
- Darksiders 2
- Darksiders 3
- Dead By Daylight
- Demon’s Souls
- Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
- Doom
- Doom Eternal
- Dying Light
- Empire of Sin
- Fallout 76: Steel Dawn
- Far Cry 5
- Grand Theft Auto 5
- Haven
- Hitman 3
- Katana Zero
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- Mortal Kombat 11
- Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection
- Nioh 2
- No More Heroes
- Pay Day 2
- Persona 4 Golden
- Persona 5 Strikers
- Red Dead Online
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Resident Evil 7
- Resident Evil Village
- Rust
- Saints Row: The Third Remastered
- Samurai Showdown
- Tales From The Borderlands
- The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- The End is Nigh
- The Medium
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
- Turok
- Warframe
- Watch Dogs 2
- Yakuza 3
- Yakuza 4
Image Examples Of M Rated Games
Here are a few examples of content found in M rated games.
Game #1 – Bayonetta
Bayonetta is an action game in which players control a female lead who is often portrayed in a sensual or sexual manner.
- According to the ESRB, Bayonetta is rated M for Mature and includes Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, and Suggestive Themes
Game # 2 – Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 is an action game about killing zombie-like civilians with guns and other weapons.
- According to the ESRB, Resident Evil 5 is rated M for Mature and includes Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language
Game #3 – Mortal Kombat Armageddon
Mortal Kombat Armageddon is a brutal fighting game that includes violence, fatalities, and blood.
- According to the ESRB, Mortal Kombat Armageddon is rated M for Mature and includes, Blood and Gore, and Intense Violence
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(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)
ART: Bayonetta | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate official artwork; Nintendo/SEGA
