The Entertainment Software Rating Board is an independent group created by, but independent of, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The ESRB was formed in response to concerns over the content in video games and its appropriateness for different age levels. The ESRB rates video games, develops advertising guidelines and monitors Internet privacy and safety issues. Nearly anyone who has played a video game for the Wii console, Playstation 2, Playstation 3, or Xbox has probably seen an ESRB rating on the game cover. The ratings were created primarily due to concern from parents over violence and other content included in some games.

Most video games will contain an ESRB rating symbol and also a description of the nature of the content included. Typically, the rating symbol will appear on the front o the video game box, and a description of the type of content contained in the game can be found on the back cover. Parents who may be concerned about potential violence and sexual content in video games can also sign up for a monthly newsletter on the organization's websites that details upcoming ratings of newly released video games and the types of content that these new games may contain.

The ESRB uses a rating system similar to the MPAA's movie rating system but it is specially tailored to the video game industry. As of 2008, there were seven different ratings:

1. Early Childhood
2. Everyone
3. Everyone 10+
4. Teen
5. Mature
6. Adults Only

7. Rating Pending

Games that are given a "rating pending" symbol are those that have been submitted to the ESRB for approval but have not yet been reviewed.