Here's how to see if a video game is too violent for your kids

Since their creation, the ESRB's ratings have changed on occasion, but have more or less remained constant for several years now. The current rating categories are EC, E, E10, T, M, and AO. Across the industry, both EC and AO are relatively uncommon compared to the other three categories. Although games with this rating are appropriate for everyone, they'll probably only appeal to the youngest kids in your household. That said, according to the FTC and the ESRB, E-rated games may contain "minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or the infrequent use of mild language."