Difference between revisions of "SEGA Rating"

From Sega Retro

m (Text replace - "Category:Game Content Rating Systems" to "Category:Game content rating systems")
Line 1: Line 1:
−
'''SEGA Rating''' is an in-house game content rating system for Japanese games used by [[Sega]] from 1994 to 2000 when it was replaced with the standardized [[CERO]] rating system. The ratings were used for late [[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Game Gear]] and [[Sega Mega-CD]] games, plus the entire Japanese [[Sega 32X]] library, most [[Sega Saturn]] games and many PC games released during the late 1990s.
+
'''Sega Rating''' is an in-house game content rating system for Japanese games used by [[Sega]] from 1994 to 2000 when it was replaced with the standardized [[CERO]] rating system. The ratings were used for late [[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Game Gear]] and [[Sega Mega-CD]] games, plus the entire Japanese [[Sega 32X]] library, most [[Sega Saturn]] games and many PC games released during the late 1990s. It was not, curiously, used for the [[Sega Dreamcast]].
 +
 
 +
The system was presumably optional, with publishers such as [[Acclaim]], [[Capcom]] and [[Konami]] opting not to use it in many of their releases.
  
 
{|class="prettytable"
 
{|class="prettytable"
−
! Icon || Description
+
!width="100px"|Icon
 +
! Description
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[File:segag.png]]
+
|[[File:segag.png|100px]]
−
|'''推奨年齢　全年齢 / Suitable for All Ages''': Games rated '''Suitable for All Ages''' are acceptable for all ages. They may contain violent content but nothing too extreme. The few [[Sega Game Gear]] and [[Sega Mega-CD]] games to use SEGA Rating had a blue version of this icon.
+
|'''Zen Nenrei''' (推奨年齢 全年齢): The game's contents are considered acceptable for all ages. Most games rated by Sega fall under this designation, as the company was seemingly more interested in pointing out which games were designed for adults, rather than making a distinction between children and teenagers. As a result of this, some games may contain low levels of violence or suggestive themes, but nothing concerning.
 +
 
 +
This rating was initially coloured blue, but changed to green in May 1995.
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[File:SegaViolent.png]]
+
|[[File:sega18.png|100px]]
−
|'''暴力などの表現が含まれています / Violent Actions are Included in the Soft''': More of a warning that violence exists within the game rather than an age restriction. Not suited for younger players, but software carring this label can be sold to those under the age of 18. This icon has lasted far longer than the other three - Sega took it upon themselves to warn customers of violent products throughout the [[Sega Dreamcast]] years and beyond, even after the [[CERO]] ratings were introduced (and they also shared the label with [[Sammy]] for some of their post-merger releases, such as the Xbox port of ''[[Guilty Gear XX Reload|Guilty Gear XX #Reload]]''). In fact, Sega still use a variation of this icon with new "violent" releases today.
+
|'''Nenrei Seigen 18 Saiijou''' (推奨年齢 年齢制限　１８才以上): The game's contents are designed for adults over the age of 18. Typically this means the game contains more mature themes such as violence or adult situations, but no blatant nudity.
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[File:sega18.png]]
+
|[[File:segax.png|100px]]
−
|'''推奨年齢　年齢制限　１８才以上 / Unsuitable for People Under 18''': Games rated Unsuitable for People Under 18 contain mature themes such as violence or adult situations, but appear to contain no blatant nudity.
+
|'''X Shitei 18 Saiijou''' (Ｘ指定　１８才以上): The game's contents are designed for adults over the age of 18, and the game is also X-rated. This is a category reserved for games more pornographic in nature, which were likely subject to more sales restrictions. The [[Sega Saturn]] release of ''Mortal Kombat II'' was also given this rating, presumably for its violent content (although its [[Sega 32X]] counterpart was not).
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Sega also voluntarily adds its own warnings:
 +
{|class="prettytable"
 +
!width="100px"|Icon
 +
! Description
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[File:segax.png]]
+
|[[File:SegaViolent.png|100px]]
−
|'''Ｘ指定　１８才以上 / Unsuitable for People Under 18 - X Rated''': Games that are X Rated contain nudity and very adult situations. Several Strip Mahjong games fall under this category, as well as the [[Sega Saturn]] release of ''Mortal Kombat II''.
+
|'''Bouryoku Nado no Hyougen ga Fukuma Rete Imasu''' (暴力などの表現が含まれています). A warning that violence exists within the game rather than an age restriction. Not suited for younger players, but software carring this label can be sold to those under the age of 18. This icon has lasted far longer than the other three - Sega took it upon themselves to warn customers of violent products throughout the [[Sega Dreamcast]] years and beyond, even after the [[CERO]] ratings were introduced (and they also shared the label with [[Sammy]] for some of their post-merger releases, such as the Xbox port of ''[[Guilty Gear XX Reload|Guilty Gear XX #Reload]]''). In fact, Sega still use a variation of this icon with new "violent" releases today.
 
|}
 
|}
  

Revision as of 09:53, 24 August 2019

Sega Rating is an in-house game content rating system for Japanese games used by Sega from 1994 to 2000 when it was replaced with the standardized CERO rating system. The ratings were used for late Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear and Sega Mega-CD games, plus the entire Japanese Sega 32X library, most Sega Saturn games and many PC games released during the late 1990s. It was not, curiously, used for the Sega Dreamcast.

The system was presumably optional, with publishers such as Acclaim, Capcom and Konami opting not to use it in many of their releases.

Icon Description
Segag.png Zen Nenrei (推奨年齢 全年齢): The game's contents are considered acceptable for all ages. Most games rated by Sega fall under this designation, as the company was seemingly more interested in pointing out which games were designed for adults, rather than making a distinction between children and teenagers. As a result of this, some games may contain low levels of violence or suggestive themes, but nothing concerning.

This rating was initially coloured blue, but changed to green in May 1995.

Sega18.png Nenrei Seigen 18 Saiijou (推奨年齢 年齢制限　１８才以上): The game's contents are designed for adults over the age of 18. Typically this means the game contains more mature themes such as violence or adult situations, but no blatant nudity.
Segax.png X Shitei 18 Saiijou (Ｘ指定　１８才以上): The game's contents are designed for adults over the age of 18, and the game is also X-rated. This is a category reserved for games more pornographic in nature, which were likely subject to more sales restrictions. The Sega Saturn release of Mortal Kombat II was also given this rating, presumably for its violent content (although its Sega 32X counterpart was not).

Sega also voluntarily adds its own warnings:

Icon Description
SegaViolent.png Bouryoku Nado no Hyougen ga Fukuma Rete Imasu (暴力などの表現が含まれています). A warning that violence exists within the game rather than an age restriction. Not suited for younger players, but software carring this label can be sold to those under the age of 18. This icon has lasted far longer than the other three - Sega took it upon themselves to warn customers of violent products throughout the Sega Dreamcast years and beyond, even after the CERO ratings were introduced (and they also shared the label with Sammy for some of their post-merger releases, such as the Xbox port of Guilty Gear XX #Reload). In fact, Sega still use a variation of this icon with new "violent" releases today.

See Also

Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=SEGA_Rating&oldid=534049"