Games with screwed-up ESRB ratings

Dennis · Postby **Dennis** » December 18th, 2006, 11:41 am

I just finished God of War, and noted that the game is rated M for, among other things, "strong language." While the game certainly earns the M rating, the only "strong language" I noted was one usage of the word "pissed" in some of the bonus features.

Meanwhile, Resident Evil 4 does not have a "strong language" notation, and it contains a dozen or more uses of stronger profanity.

In addition, DDR Extreme is rated E for "mild lyrics," despite the very obvious use of the F-word in one song.

Can you think of any other games with problematic ratings?

ShawnReturns · Postby **ShawnReturns** » December 18th, 2006, 11:52 am

I think I heard a few "f bombs" from Fenix while playing gears...anybody else? I actually think Gears is rated properly. I wouldn't want my 10 year old nephew playing it that is for sure.

Atarifever1 · Postby **Atarifever1** » December 18th, 2006, 3:18 pm

[QUOTE=ShawnReturns]

I think I heard a few "f bombs" from Fenix while playing gears...anybody else? I actually think Gears is rated properly. I wouldn't want my 10 year old nephew playing it that is for sure.

[/QUOTE]
Not to highjack here, but it's good to see you back Shawn.

Anayo1 · Postby **Anayo1** » December 18th, 2006, 3:46 pm

I thought it was a little peculiar that Starfox Adventures was rated "T". If I recall, the descriptor was "animated violence" and "animated blood." I never saw any blood in that game... it was actually quite lighthearted and kid-friendly. <.<

Shawn · Postby **Shawn** » December 18th, 2006, 4:07 pm

Hey thanks for the kind words!

bluemonkey1 · Postby **bluemonkey1** » December 18th, 2006, 4:26 pm

Yeah F words a plenty. Nice to see a game where it reflects how people really act. Given the violence in games I am amazed people get hung up on sex and swearing, same in the movies.

Zenzerotron · Postby **Zenzerotron** » December 18th, 2006, 4:28 pm

It's always bothered me that the "Devil May Cry" series and the 2 "Castlevania" games for PS2 got M ratings.

There's no bad language in those games, no nudity, and almost everything you kill are fantasy-creatures. There's no reality to those games whatsoever, they're pure fantasy.

To me, there's a HUGE difference, as far as violence, between killing real people and killing monsters/creatures-of-fantasy.

andrew · Postby **andrew** » December 18th, 2006, 6:19 pm

[QUOTE=Zenzerotron]It's always bothered me that the "Devil May Cry" series and the 2 "Castlevania" games for PS2 got M ratings.

There's no bad language in those games, no nudity, and almost everything you kill are fantasy-creatures. There's no reality to those games whatsoever, they're pure fantasy.

To me, there's a HUGE difference, as far as violence, between killing real people and killing monsters/creatures-of-fantasy.

[/QUOTE]

But there is gratutitous blood throughout the game, violent weapons and he gets impaled by a sword on a few occassions. I love the game but it thoroughly deserves an M rating. Be it monseters of real people should make no difference in determining violence levels.

Koopa W. · Postby **Koopa W.** » December 18th, 2006, 7:03 pm

There was no reason for the following ratings:

Halo- Come on, people, T all the way

Super Smash Bros. Melee- Name one reason for this game to have a T rating

Devil May Cry/ Castlevania- Zen took my words (u suck, andrew)

Destroy All Humans 1 and 2- I love them to death, but why didn't they get M ratings

Champions of Norrath- How on Earth did Halo get slapped with an M while this (fun) bloodbath got a T?

andrew · Postby **andrew** » December 18th, 2006, 9:33 pm

[QUOTE=Koopa W.]