Grand Theft Auto VI has picked up its official age ratings, and they confirm it's the most explicit game in the series. Confirmed The PEGI listing, published on October 2, gives it an 18 rating with the violence, sex, drugs and in-game purchases labels. The US rating is M for Mature, and Australia and New Zealand rate it R18+.
None of that is a surprise for a GTA game. What's new is the detail in the boards' notes, which describe specific things players can do.
What PEGI says is in GTA 6
- Drugs you can carry. PEGI's notes say the player can carry cocaine and take it straight from their hand at any time, not just in story scenes. Confirmed
- Sex and nudity. The listing mentions nudity, scenes of intercourse and occasional sexual fetish scenes, plus strip clubs with paid private dances. Confirmed
- Realistic violence. Violence is described as bloody, with a high degree of realism. GamesRadar reports the UK listing also refers to detailed decapitation. Preview report
- Animals. Harming animals is listed among other issues. That fits the 170+ species Rockstar has confirmed.
- In-game purchases. The game carries the in-game purchases label. Rockstar hasn't said what it covers, and there's no online mode at launch.
Shortly after it appeared, the PEGI listing was taken down, Video Games Chronicle reported. Preview report A pulled listing usually means it went live early, not that the rating changed, and the 18 rating still matches the store listings.
Ratings by region
| Region | Rating | Notable descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| Europe and UK (PEGI) | 18 | Violence, sex, drugs, in-game purchases |
| US and Canada (ESRB) | M for Mature | Standard M rating for the series |
| Australia | R18+ | "Sex scenes" listed as its own descriptor on store pages |
| New Zealand | R18 | Same "sex scenes" callout on the PlayStation Store |
Why the Australian rating stands out
Australia and New Zealand list "sex scenes" as a separate content warning, something GTA V's rating didn't do, Games.gg points out. Preview report GTA has a long history here: San Andreas was pulled from shelves in 2005 after modders unlocked the hidden "Hot Coffee" minigame. This time the content is clearly part of the game, and the rating says so up front.
You may also see an old MA15+ Australian rating shared online. That listing dates from 2023, long before GTA 6 was finished, and was a placeholder. Rumor / leak It isn't the final rating.
What it means for buyers
If you're buying for a teenager, every major region rates GTA 6 for adults only. Stores in the UK and Australia can legally refuse to sell it to under-18s. Nothing in the ratings changes the November 19 release date.
Questions about GTA 6's rating
What age rating is GTA 6?
PEGI 18 in Europe and the UK, M for Mature in North America and R18+ in Australia and New Zealand.
Does GTA 6 have sex scenes?
Yes. The rating boards list nudity and scenes of intercourse, and Australia and New Zealand call out sex scenes as a separate warning.
Can you use drugs in GTA 6?
Yes. PEGI says the player can carry cocaine and take it at any time.
Was GTA 6 rated MA15+ in Australia?
A 2023 placeholder listing said MA15+. The final classification is R18+.