With little more than a month remaining before the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV, the game has reached yet another major milestone on its road to release: a proper rating. Earlier today, the ESRB officially dropped the "Rating Pending" emblem with the all-too-familiar "M for Mature" badge of honour.

For the sake of comparison, we've compiled a handy listing of all Grand Theft Auto ESRB ratings, from Grand Theft Auto straight through to Grand Theft Auto IV. Nothing like a bit of nostalgia, eh?

Grand Theft Auto
Rated Mature based on:

• Animated Blood
• Strong Language

Grand Theft Auto 2
Rated Mature/Teen (depending on platform) based on:

• Animated Violence
• Strong Language
• Suggestive Themes

Grand Theft Auto 3
Rated Mature based on:

• Blood
• Strong Language
• Violence

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Rated Mature based on:

• Blood and Gore
• Strong Language
• Strong Sexual Content
• Violence

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rated Mature based on:

• Blood and Gore
• Intense Violence
• Strong Language
• Strong Sexual Content
• Use of Drugs

Grand Theft Auto IV
Rated Mature based on:

• Partial Nudity
• Strong Language
• Strong Sexual Content
• Use of Drugs and Alcohol
• Blood
• Intense Violence

Things certainly have come a long way over the past decade. As always, you can discuss the news on our forums.