History Analysis / GettingCrapPastTheRadar

* The '''Everyone 10 and up (E10+)''' rating can allow more cartoon violence as well as fantasy violence, slight amounts of suggestive humor, and copious amounts of mild language such as "damn" and "hell". This rating was made in early 2005 to bridge the gap between the E and T ratings, hence why titles such as ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'' are rated T despite being comparatively tame by today's T rating standards, and even some E-rated games such as the ''Sonic Adventure'' series are relatively intense for E standards. Their respective franchises, as well as several modern ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games (mostly due to sci-fi and fantasy violence) are good examples of E10+ rated games[[note]]although ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' was rated T despite being released in 2008[[/note]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' and [[{{VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand}} four]] ''[[{{VideoGame/KirbyBattleRoyale}} Kirby]]'' [[{{VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies}} games]] (including a CompilationRerelease where an "Animated Blood" descriptor was retroactively added) have this rating, despite being in primarily E-rated franchises.

As SocietyMarchesOn in many countries, censorship standards change with them, also. The Hays Code used in the United States before the UsefulNotes/MotionPictureAssociationOfAmerica ratings, for example, [[SleepingSingle forbid depictions of couples sleeping in bed together]], and ''Series/LeaveItToBeaver'' was a pioneer in showing a toilet on TV. As ideas about minorities and non-heterosexual relationships change, the censors do, too. For example, HomoeroticSubtext in a children's cartoon may have been played as a radar-pushing gag in 2007, but, due to positive portrayals of same-sex couples in children's series in UsefulNotes/TheNewTens and beyond, this gag will be seen as SeinfeldIsUnfunny to a present-day viewer, and may receive backlash for [[QueerPeopleAreFunny portraying queer love as a joke]].

Video games are not particularly susceptible to AvoidTheDreadedGRating, so it's more possible to get crap past the radar. However, rating systems, such as North America's UsefulNotes/EntertainmentSoftwareRatingsBoard in this case, still apply:

* The '''Everyone 10 and up (E10+)''' rating can allow more cartoon violence as well as fantasy violence, slight amounts of suggestive humor, and copious amounts of mild language such as "damn" and "hell". This rating was made in early 2005 to bridge the gap between the E and T ratings, hence why titles such as ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'' are rated T despite being comparatively tame by today's T rating standards, and even some E-rated games such as the ''Sonic Adventure'' series are relatively intense for E standards. Their respective franchises, as well as several modern ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games (mostly due to sci-fi and fantasy violence) are good examples of E10+ rated games[[note]]although ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' was rated T despite being released in 2008[[/note]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' and [[{{VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand}} four]] ''[[{{VideoGame/KirbyBattleRoyale}} Kirby]]'' [[{{VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies}} games]] (including a CompilationRerelease where an "Animated Blood" rating was retroactively added) have this rating, despite being in primarily E-rated franchises.

* The '''Everyone 10 and up (E10+)''' rating can allow more cartoon violence as well as fantasy violence, slight amounts of suggestive humor, and copious amounts of mild language such as "damn" and "hell". This rating was made in early 2005 to bridge the gap between the E and T ratings, hence why titles such as ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'' are rated T despite being comparatively tame by today's T rating standards, and even some E-rated games such as the ''Sonic Adventure'' series are relatively intense for E standards. Their respective franchises, as well as several modern ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games (mostly due to sci-fi and fantasy violence) are good examples of E10+ rated games[[note]]although ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' was rated T despite being released in 2008[[/note]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' and [[{{VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand}} four]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyBattleRoyale}} Kirby]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies}} games]] (including a CompilationRerelease where an "Animated Blood" rating was retroactively added) have this rating, despite being in primarily E-rated franchises.

* The '''E for Everyone''' rating is the lowest rating[[note]]besides the deprecated eC for Early Childhood rating, which was mainly used for edutainment titles[[/note]] a video game can get. They can contain mild amounts of cartoon violence and very little mild language (most likely a single "hell"). ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and several ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games usually have this rating. A few ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' games even have high-resolution ''uncensored'' nude artwork such as Michelangelo's ''David'' and still be E-rated.
* The '''Everyone 10 and up (E10+)''' rating can allow more cartoon violence as well as fantasy violence, slight amounts of suggestive humor, and copious amounts of mild language such as "damn" and "hell". This rating was made in early 2005 to bridge the gap between the E and T ratings, hence why titles such as ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'' are rated T despite being comparatively tame by today's T rating standards, and even some E-rated games such as the ''Sonic Adventure'' series are relatively intense for E standards. Their respective franchises, as well as several modern ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games (mostly due to sci-fi and fantasy violence) are good examples of E10+ rated games[[note]]Although ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' was rated T despite being released in 2008[[/note]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' and [[{{VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand}} four]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbysDreamCollection}} different]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyBattleRoyale}} Kirby]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies}} games]] have this rating, despite being in primarily E-rated franchises.

* The '''M for Mature''' rating is the highest rating allowed for a video game to sell at retail and/or be available on consoles.[[note]]The ESRB being an entirely self-regulatory board, there are very few actual ''laws'' restricting the last rating -- AO, for Adults Only -- instead, most publishers and retailers simply refuse to deal in games that carry this rating. [[{{CanadaEh}} The Canadian provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan]] are the only jurisdictions where ESRB ratings are legally binding.[[/note]] There can be intense violence overflowing with blood and gore (though it can't be so extremely sadistic, such as on-screen [[{{GroinAttack}} genital]] [[{{CripplingCastration}} mutilation]], in the rarest cases, especially towards the innocent and/or protected minorities, just look at ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}''), uncensored {{Cluster F Bomb}}ing, explicit references to sex, and maybe some sex scenes and nudity (just not too much for the game to be regarded as pornographic). However, only AO-rated games can have real-money gambling.

* '''TV-PG''' shows generally allow slightly more innuendo and violence than TV-Y7 shows, and are where the content descriptors '''D''' for dialogue, '''L''' for language, '''S''' for sex, and '''V''' for violence start to be used. As AvoidTheDreadedGRating starts to creep into TV-Y7 and more animation starts to be targeted at teenagers and adults, more cartoons, such as Cartoon Network originals ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'', and ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' are being rated as TV-PG. Some AdultAnimation such as ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' has this rating. But more adult animated series get...

* The '''T for Teen''' rating allows violence, sexual innuendo and partial nudity[[note]]means characters appear naked but have their nipples and genitals censored[[/note]], little blood[[note]]though exceptions can exist such as ''VideoGame/StarCraftII''[[/note]], infrequent strong language, and depiction of alcohol use. With more leniency than TV-14, this means occasional uses of "shit" can be used.

* '''TV-PG''' shows generally allow slightly more innuendo and violence than TV-Y7 shows, and are where the content descriptors '''D''' for dialogue, '''L''' for language, '''S''' for sex, and '''V''' for violence start to be used. As AvoidTheDreadedGRating starts to creep into TV-Y7 and more animation starts to be targeted at teenagers and adults, more cartoons, such as Cartoon Network originals ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'', and ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' are being rated as TV-PG. Some AdultAnimation such as ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' has this rating. But as the stereotype that AllAdultAnimationIsSouthPark lives on, more adult animated series get...

Sometimes, the writer will put something very blatant, such as a PrecisionFStrike, as a sort of TakeThat to the censors. This is called DefyingTheCensors, and is not an example, since GettingCrapPastTheRadar usually involves subtle things the writer hopes the censors won't catch.

* The '''TV-14''' rating. It allows stronger sexual content and innuendo and more intense fantasy violence (and mild realistic violence). This is also where drug usage starts to be allowed, but no swearing beyond "damn" and "hell". Examples include anime airing on Adult Swim and Toonami such as ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' and ''Anime/AttackOnTitan'' as well as adult animation (''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' and ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'''s TV edit) and live-action TV (''Series/SaturdayNightLive'').

* '''TV-Y''' is the lowest age rating a children's series can get. It generally means "It doesn't contain the slightest bit of content that would offend or frighten the youngest of children or the strictest of parents." In the early days of the US television rating system, most children's cartoons (including series such as ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarepants'') were given TV-Y ratings, but as AvoidTheDreadedGRating is starting to take effect, these cartoons are usually assigned TV-Y7 ratings, and if you do see a TV-Y rated show nowadays, it's definitely an EdutainmentShow.

* '''TV-Y7''' shows, as the name suggests, are deemed appropriate for children ages 7 and up. They can include some cartoon or slapstick violence and some mild innuendo, and include most modern non-educational children's cartoons and [[KidCom Kid Coms]]. If a TV-Y7 show contains fantasy violence (e.g. with magic or FamilyFriendlyFirearms), then it gets the '''TV-Y7-FV''' (TV-Y7 with fantasy violence) content descriptor.

* '''TV-Y''' is the lowest age rating a children's series can get. It generally means "It doesn't contain the slightest bit of content that would offend or frighten the youngest of children or the strictest of parents." In the early days of the US television rating system, most children's cartoons (including series such as ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarepants'') were given TV-Y ratings, but as AvoidTheDreadedGRating is starting to take effect, these cartoons are usually assigned TV-Y7 ratings, and if you see a TV-Y rated show these days, it's definitely an EdutainmentShow.

* The '''T for Teen''' rating allows violence, sexual innuendo and partial nudity[[note]]means characters appear naked but have their parts censored[[/note]], little blood[[note]]though exceptions can exist such as ''VideoGame/StarCraftII''[[/note]], infrequent strong language, and depiction of alcohol use. With more leniency than TV-14, this means occasional uses of "shit" can be used.

For starters, let's take a look at how media classifications will handle certain content, using US rating systems since [[WeAllLiveInAmerica most readers and Tropers are American]].

For starters, let's take a look at how media classifications will handle certain content, using US rating systems.

However, it is very important to note that video game ratings don't account for user-generated content such as mods, custom skins and maps, character names and usernames, and in-game communication, and the ESRB for example explicitly mentions that fact. This trope generally does not cover user-generated content for this reason.

* The '''Everyone 10 and up (E10+)''' rating can allow a bit more cartoon violence as well as slight amounts of fantasy violence, slight amounts of suggestive humor, and copious amounts of mild language such as "damn" and "hell". This rating was made in early 2005 to bridge the gap between the E and T ratings, hence why titles such as ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'' are rated T despite being comparatively tame by today's T rating standards, and even some E-rated games such as the ''Sonic Adventure'' series are relatively intense for E standards. Their respective franchises, as well as several modern ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games (mostly due to sci-fi and fantasy violence) are good examples of E10+ rated games[[note]]Although ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' was rated T despite being released in 2008[[/note]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' and [[{{VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand}} four]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbysDreamCollection}} different]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyBattleRoyale}} Kirby]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies}} games]] have this rating, despite being in primarily E-rated franchises.

* The '''M for Mature''' rating is the highest rating allowed for a video game to sell at retail and/or be available on consoles.[[note]]The ESRB being an entirely self-regulatory board, there are no actual ''laws'' restricting the last rating -- AO, for Adults Only -- instead, most publishers and retailers simply refuse to deal in games that carry this rating. However, [[{{CanadaEh}} the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan]] are the only jurisdictions where ESRB ratings are legally binding.[[/note]] There can be intense violence overflowing with blood and gore (though it can't be so extremely sadistic, such as on-screen [[{{GroinAttack}} genital]] [[{{CripplingCastration}} mutilation]], in the rarest cases, especially towards the innocent and/or protected minorities, just look at ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}''), uncensored {{Cluster F Bomb}}ing, explicit references to sex, and maybe some sex scenes and nudity (just not too much for the game to be regarded as pornographic). However, only AO-rated games can have real-money gambling.

It is very important to note that video game ratings don't account for user-generated content such as mods, custom skins and maps, character names and usernames, and in-game communication, and the ESRB for example explicitly mentions that fact. This trope generally does not cover user-generated content for this reason.

* The '''M for Mature''' rating is the highest rating allowed for a video game to sell at retail and/or be available on consoles.[[note]]The ESRB being an entirely self-regulatory board, there are no actual ''laws'' restricting the last rating -- AO, for Adults Only -- instead, most publishers and retailers simply refuse to deal in games that carry this rating. However, [[{{CanadaEh}} Manitoba and Ontario]] are the only jurisdictions where ESRB ratings are legally binding.[[/note]] There can be intense violence overflowing with blood and gore (though it can't be so extremely sadistic, such as on-screen [[{{GroinAttack}} genital]] [[{{CripplingCastration}} mutilation]], in the rarest cases, especially towards the innocent and/or protected minorities, just look at ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}''), uncensored {{Cluster F Bomb}}ing, explicit references to sex, and maybe some sex scenes and nudity (just not too much for the game to be regarded as pornographic). However, only AO-rated games can have real-money gambling.

* The '''M for Mature''' rating is the highest rating allowed for a video game to sell at retail.[[note]]The ESRB being an entirely self-regulatory board, there are no actual ''laws'' restricting the last rating -- AO, for Adults Only -- instead, most publishers and retailers simply refuse to deal in games that carry this rating. However, [[{{CanadaEh}} Manitoba and Ontario]] are the only jurisdictions where ESRB ratings are legally binding.[[/note]] There can be intense violence overflowing with blood and gore (though it can't be so extremely sadistic, such as on-screen [[{{GroinAttack}} genital]] [[{{CripplingCastration}} mutilation]], in the rarest cases, especially towards the innocent and/or protected minorities, just look at ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}''), uncensored {{Cluster F Bomb}}ing, explicit references to sex, and maybe some sex scenes and nudity (just not too much for the game to be regarded as pornographic). However, only AO-rated games can have real-money gambling.

* The '''Everyone 10 and up (E10+)''' rating can allow a bit more cartoon violence as well as slight amounts of fantasy violence, slight amounts of suggestive humor, and copious amounts of mild language such as "damn" and "hell". This rating was made in early 2005 to bridge the gap between the E and T ratings, hence why titles such as ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'' are rated T despite being comparatively tame by today's T rating standards, and even some E-rated games such as the ''Sonic Adventure'' series are relatively intense for E standards. Their respective franchises, as well as several modern ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games (mostly due to sci-fi and fantasy violence) are good examples of E10+ rated games[[note]]Although ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' was rated T despite being released in 2008[[/note]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' and [[{{VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand}} four]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbysDreamCollection}} different]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyBattleRoyale}} Kirby]] [[{{VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies}} games]] have this rating, despite being primarily E-rated franchises.

* The '''E for Everyone''' rating is the lowest rating[[note]]besides the deprecated eC for Early Childhood rating, which was mainly used for edutainment titles[[/note]] a video game can get. They can contain mild amounts of cartoon violence and very little mild language (most likely a single "hell"). ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and several ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games usually have this rating. A few ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' games even have high-resolution nude artwork such as Michelangelo's ''David'' and still be E-rated.

* The '''E for Everyone''' rating is the lowest rating[[note]]besides the deprecated eC for Early Childhood rating, which was mainly used for edutainment titles[[/note]] a video game can get. They can contain mild amounts of cartoon violence and very little mild language (most likely a single "hell"). ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and several ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games usually have this rating. A few ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' games even have high-resolution nude artwork such as Michelangelo's ''David''.

* The '''E for Everyone''' rating is the lowest rating[[note]]besides the deprecated eC for Early Childhood rating, which was mainly used for edutainment titles[[/note]] a video game can get. They can contain mild amounts of cartoon violence and very little mild language (most likely a single "hell"). ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and several ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games usually have this rating.

* The '''M for Mature''' rating is the highest rating allowed for a video game to sell at retail.[[note]]The ESRB being an entirely self-regulatory board, there are no actual ''laws'' restricting the last rating -- AO, for Adults Only -- instead, most publishers and retailers simply refuse to deal in games that carry this rating. [[{{CanadaEh}} Manitoba and Ontario]] are the only jurisdictions where ESRB ratings are legally binding.[[/note]] There can be intense violence overflowing with blood and gore (though it can't be so extremely sadistic, such as on-screen [[{{GroinAttack}} genital]] [[{{CripplingCastration}} mutilation]], in the rarest cases, especially towards the innocent and/or protected minorities, just look at ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}''), uncensored {{Cluster F Bomb}}ing, explicit references to sex, and maybe some sex scenes and nudity (just not too much for the game to be regarded as pornographic). However, only AO-rated games can have real-money gambling.

* The '''M for Mature''' rating is the highest rating allowed for a video game to sell at retail.[[note]]The ESRB being an entirely self-regulatory board, there are no actual ''laws'' restricting the last rating -- AO, for Adults Only -- instead, most publishers and retailers simply refuse to deal in games that carry this rating.[[/note]] There can be intense violence overflowing with blood and gore (though it can't be so extremely sadistic, such as on-screen [[{{GroinAttack}} genital]] [[{{CripplingCastration}} mutilation]], in the rarest cases, especially towards the innocent and/or protected minorities, just look at ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}''), uncensored {{Cluster F Bomb}}ing, explicit references to sex, and maybe some sex scenes and nudity (just not too much for the game to be regarded as pornographic). However, only AO-rated games can have real-money gambling.

* The '''M for Mature''' rating is the highest rating allowed for a video game to sell at retail. (AO for Adults Only is the highest rating of all which retail won't sell, similar to the NC-17 rating for MPA) There can be intense violence overflowing with blood and gore (though it can't be so extremely sadistic, such as on-screen [[{{GroinAttack}} genital]] [[{{CripplingCastration}} mutilation]], in the rarest cases, especially towards the innocent and/or protected minorities, just look at ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}''), uncensored {{Cluster F Bomb}}ing, explicit references to sex, and maybe some sex scenes and nudity (just not too much for the game to be regarded as pornographic). However, only AO-rated games can have real-money gambling.