Nintendo Revolution to feature parental locking system

Nintendo has announced that its next-generation Revolution console will feature a parental locking system designed to give adults more control over which games their children are playing.

After entering a password, parents can adjust the console's settings and choose whether to block games with higher PEGI ratings. There are five different ratings - 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+ - and each piece of Revolution software will include a code which indicates the game's rating. The feature will be included in every Revolution worldwide.

"Even though most Nintendo games are appropriate for all ages and the game ratings are clearly displayed on the front of every game package, this added feature encourages parents to take responsibility for the games their children play," said Nintendo Europe's Jim Merrick.

Nintendo has long stated its commitment to producing family-friendly hardware and software, so it's no surprise that the Revolution will give parents control over what their children play - especially following recent controversy in Japan over violence in games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Rivals Sony and Microsoft have already confirmed that there PS3 and Xbox 360 will also feature parental locking systems.