Babies Under Siege: A Shocking ESRB Rating of Scribblenauts

In what is perhaps the most bizarre ESRB write-up for a game ever, it was revealed that Scribblenauts would ship with the E10+ rating. What ultimately ended up affecting the rating was the inclusion of cartoon weapons and violence, as well as the ability to attach steak to a baby to ‘œattract lions.’

Other highlights include the mention that ‘œa bicycle can be used to jump over a baby’ and ‘œif players wish to, they may type in the word vomit, which causes a beige-coloured lump to appear on the screen.’

Scribblenauts
Platform: Nintendo DS
Rating: Everyone 10+
Content descriptors: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief

Rating summary: This is a puzzle game in which players navigate a series of traps, puzzles, and enemies to collect stars scattered throughout the colorful levels. Players have the ability to summon different objects by writing/typing in the word (e.g., bike, spaceship, lion) and watching it come to life. If multiple words are entered in a sequence, different whimsical scenarios can be triggered: a bicycle can be used to jump over a baby; a bulldozer can clear away a shark; and cabbage can be fed to dinosaurs. Players can elect to summon “cartoony” versions of bats, bombs, guns, and flamethrowers. These types of items can be used to destroy objects or even other summoned items (e.g., a club can be used to hit an animal; steak can be attached to a baby to attract lions; rockets can be lobbed at a man). These triggered animations are minimally depicted and are usually accompanied by popping, musical sound effects; bright, star-shaped flashes; or small puffs of smoke. If players wish to, they may type in the word vomit, which causes a beige-colored lump to appear on the screen.

While it is true that the game has seemingly endless options for the creative player, this particular choice of scenarios seems to reflect the board’s inherent hatred of babies. Clearly it is only a matter of time before the ESRB is revealed as the baby torturing menace that they are. Until then, Scribblenauts will be fun, right?

Via: GoNintendo