Codex Gamicus
Register
Advertisement


The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (特定非営利活動法人コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構, Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin Konpyūta Entāteinmento Rētingu Kikō?) system (CERO for short) is an organization that rates video games released in Japan. Despite its name, it mostly governs console game ratings. The majority of PC and mobile games released in Japan are governed by the older EOCS organization. Both are considered the equivalents of the Entertainment Software Rating Board in North America.

An icon-based content descriptor system is also in effect for all ratings excluding "All Ages". It is similar to the PEGI system's icons.

Video Game Ratings[ | ]

Image Rating Restriction Status
CERO-A A Suitable for everyone, regardless of age. Advisory
CERO-B B Has content that may be suitable for ages 12 and older. Advisory
CERO-C C Has content that may be suitable for ages 15 and older. Advisory
CERO-D D Has content that may be suitable for ages 17 and older. Advisory
CERO-Z Z Suitable for ages 18 and older. Enforced
CERO-Demo Demo Used for demos of video games. Advisory
CERO-ED Educational/Database Used to specifically advise that the software is for Educational or Database use. Advisory
CERO-RP Rating Pending Advises that the video game has yet to receive an official rating. Advisory
Retired
CERO-All All Suitable for everyone, regardless of age. Replaced with the A rating. Advisory
CERO-12 12 Has content that may be suitable for ages 12 and older. Replaced with the B rating. Advisory
CERO-15 15 Has content that may be suitable for ages 15 and older. Replaced with the C rating. Advisory
CERO-18 18 Has content that may be suitable for ages 18 and older. Replaced with the D and Z ratings. Advisory

The ratings A, B, C and D are advisory, while Z is strictly enforced. Many games rated as "18" under the old system have been re-rated as D.

The old ratings system was retired on March 1, 2006, in favor of the new ratings system. It was divided into "All Ages," "12 and Up," "15 and Up," and "18 and Up.". All ratings were advisory.

Content Descriptors[ | ]

In April 2004, CERO defined the following "content descriptors". These icons are displayed on the back of all packages except those rated as "All ages".

Image Descriptor Description
CERO-Crime Crime Depictions of criminal behaviour.
CERO-Drinking & Smoking Drinking and/or Smoking Depictions of drinking alcohol and/or smoking tobacco.
CERO-Drugs Drugs Depictions of recreational drugs.
CERO-Fright Fright Includes content likely to scare or induce fear.
CERO-Gambling Gambling Depictions of Gambling.
CERO-Language Language Written or spoken content includes vulgar and/or obscene language.
CERO-Romance Romance Depictions of Romance.
CERO-Sexuality Sexuality Content may be sexually suggestive, and may include written or spoken sexual references.
CERO-Violence Violence Depictions of violence.

See also[ | ]

External Links[ | ]

Advertisement