At first glance, the Entertainment Software Rating Board's (ESRB) "Mature" and the "Adults Only" ratings seem quite similar. After all, both ratings involve people aged 18 and up. What's the real difference between the two ratings, anyway?

Two words: intensity and volume. According to the ESRB, AO titles "may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity" (emphasis ours). Compare that with the description for Mature-rated titles that "have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.” In other words, Adult Only games are simply too adult.

If you're a concerned parent or guardian, there's another point that's especially important for you to know: out of all the games that have crossed the ESRB's path, only 23 of them have been given the AO rating.  Thing is, there are other games out there that have not been submitted to the ESRB for review, yet still deserve an AO rating due to their content.

Some of the titles rated as Adult Only by the ESRB include:

• Critical Point
• Snow Drop
• Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy - Director's Cut
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (briefly due to "Hot Coffee")
• Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored
• Peak Entertainment Casinos
• Singles: Flirt Up Your Life
• Thrill Kill
  

If you'd like a more complete list of the titles that fit into the ESRB's AO category, click on the source link below.