The ESRB Ratings of R-Type Final and Gradius V

[Structor125]

Ever wonder why R-Type Final is rated E while Gradius V is rated T? Well I tried to find out in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh-0Sa4hCbw&feature=youtu.be
I hope you find it entertaining.

[Cagar]

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[Kiken]

For Gradius V I believe it's a combination of "What the hell?!?" (spoken by the narrator when you lose your last life in stage 1-7) and the screams that the Zelos Force emit when destroyed.

[TheMMMification]

Another reason for the T rating is that the Vic Viper's pilot says "Damn" at one point, which makes me wonder why the T rating didn't say, "Cursing" instead of "Mild Fantasy Violence".

[pegboy]

Gradius V should have been rated Mature. Have you seen the beginning of stage 4?

[BIL]

For Gradius V I believe it's a combination of "What the hell?!?" (spoken by the narrator when you lose your last life in stage 1-7) and the screams that the Zelos Force emit when destroyed.

Zelos Force: the debut LP.

Includes hit single Make 'Em Say OWAAAAAAH (Feat. Tha Zako Boyz)

Another reason for the T rating is that the Vic Viper's pilot says "Damn" at one point, which makes me wonder why the T rating didn't say, "Cursing" instead of "Mild Fantasy Violence".

The ESRB's specifics aren't to be taken too seriously imo, at least in games from around that era. Silent Hill 2's sexual content goes totally unmentioned, presumably due to it being relatively clinical and implied - but some of the most prominent implication is horribly dark. Meanwhile SH4 tripped the buzzer a few years later with a couple of busty lassies, oo guvna.

I only remember this due to an ancient GameFAQs nerdfight where some goober was characterising the series as a gorefest, and he cited the ESRB in a flailed parting shot.

Gradius V should have been rated Mature. Have you seen the beginning of stage 4?

Agreed, I always found SPACE POON a lot more graphic than Final's silhouetted couple.

[Structor125]

Maybe I just haven't gotten far enough in Gradius V. That game is impossible. It's too bad E 10+ wasn't a thing in 2004 because if there really is just mild swearing in it then that would probably suit the game best.