The voice of the iconic PEGI age ratings reveals the original recordings after going viral on TikTok

PEGI age ratings on a video game box.
(Image credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Voice actor Richard Wells has been causing quite a stir on TikTok. Under the handle @richardwells48, he posted a video to the platform on February 9, 2024 where he revealed himself to be the voice actor behind the iconic ‘PEGI 18’ age rating in English.

“I’ve made at least 10,000 recordings, spoken millions of words, but ironically I’m best known for just two,” Wells explains at the beginning of his first video. “You won’t know my face, but millions of you gamers really do know my voice because I’m the guy who says ‘PEGI 18’ on all of your video games.”

For those outside of Europe, the Pan-European Game Information (or PEGI) organization is an age rating system used throughout the region. It’s effectively the European equivalent to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and displays advisory warnings alongside a numeric age rating at the start of video game trailers and in a prominent position on most video game boxes.

The warning at the beginning of each trailer is accompanied by a short audio clip stating the game’s age rating in a range of languages depending on the region. While this is often ‘PEGI 18’, which denotes a title suitable for those above the age of 18 like Grand Theft Auto 5 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, titles can also be labeled with the ‘PEGI 3’, ‘PEGI 7’, ‘PEGI 12’, and ‘PEGI 16’ ratings depending on their content.

The English version of the lines will be immediately recognizable if you live in UK and have spent any amount of time watching trailers for all the latest and greatest game releases. Wells concludes his post by asking the viewer to “like this video and [...] share it with your gamer friends” if they have heard his voice over the last fifteen years.

It seems like the clip resonated with quite a few people, as it has since racked up over 14 million views, 2.4 million likes and more than 15,000 comments. Given this huge popularity and the abundance of responses from other TikTok users sharing their fondest memories of the line, Wells has posted a recent follow-up video unveiling the original recordings for each age rating which he says date back to September 2009. You can watch the video and hear the recordings for yourself below:

@richardwells48

♬ original sound - Richard Wells

With how much each of these voice lines has been heard over the years, it’s perhaps not too surprising that plenty of people have taken an interest in this part of gaming history. Even so, Wells concludes this post by saying “Who knew back in 2009 that I would be talking about this 15 years later with thousands and thousands of people around the world, thank you very much for your interest.” 

If you're searching for games to play, see our guides to the best PS5 games, the best PC games, and the best Xbox Series X games.

Dashiell Wood
Hardware Writer

Dash is a technology journalist who covers gaming hardware at TechRadar. Before joining the TechRadar team, he was writing gaming articles for some of the UK's biggest magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX. Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.

Read more
A screenshot from Balatro showing a selection of Joker cards.
Balatro has had its PEGI 18 age rating overturned following appeal: 'I hope this change will allow developers to create without being unfairly punished'
The SAG-AFTRA San-Fransisco-North California Local
SAG-AFTRA union and video game industry bargaining group remain at odds as agreements on AI protections still 'frustratingly far apart'
Hamish screaming at the pricey RTX 5090 and PS5 Pro
Is gaming too expensive in 2025, and will the Nintendo Switch 2 suck? Tune in to our podcast to find out
Sadie and John shoot up a town
This one change made my games so much more immersive (and it only takes one click)
Voice cloning
I cloned my voice in seconds using a free AI app, and we really need to talk about speech synthesis
A blue haired character skating in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2.
Following the Black Ops 6 easter egg, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 seems to have been listed by Singapore's ratings board
Latest in Gaming
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #645)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
With discounts of up to 95%, these are the biggest deals I've managed to find in the Steam Spring Sale
WWE 2K25
I've spent days in the ring with WWE 2K25, and it's like a five-star match ruined by the Million Dollar Man
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #643)
Latest in News
Google Pixel 8a in aloe green showing
Google Pixel 9a benchmark link teases the performance of the upcoming mid-ranger
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #1148)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #379)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #645)
Apple iPhone 16 Pro HANDS ON
Leaked iPhone 17 dummy units may have given us our best look yet at all four models
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over