Gang members slitting the throats of their rivals and beating up strippers. Combatants hacking away with chain saw-equipped assault rifles. Football players taking steroids and celebrating game victories with hookers.
Those images flicker across the screen in some of the 10 video games that a media watchdog group warns should be avoided by kids and teens under 17.
The National Institute on Media and the Family is unveiling its 13th annual video game report card Tuesday to help parents choose games that are appropriate for their children as the holiday shopping season picks up.
The institute in past years has urged the video game industry to develop better ratings and retailers to do more to prevent kids from being able to buy mature-themed games. This year, citing the positive steps taken by industry officials and retailers, the group is focusing on ways parents can play a more active role in safeguarding their children from games that glamorize sex, drugs and violence.
"In spite of the fact that all of the games are rated, in spite of the fact that the retailers are doing a better job, we still know that there are a lot of teenagers who still spend a lot of time playing adult-rated games," said institute president David Walsh.
The institute cited figures from the Pew Internet and American Life Project showing 97 percent of all teens, boys as well as girls, play video games regularly, and most parents pay attention to what their kids are playing. The group wants stronger parental oversight.
"We parents need to wake up and realize that the games our kids play do influence them," said Walsh. "And it's our job to make sure they are playing age-appropriate games. It's the next big step."
A video game guide for parents, including tips on using the parental controls on game consoles, is highlighted in the new report, which will be available on the group's Web site.
Bloodshed and brutality are staples in the list of 10 games to avoid. All the games were M-rated, intended for those aged 17 and over.
"Blitz: The League II" players can target which body part of their football rivals they want to injure. Warriors in "Gears of War 2" use a combination rifle and chain saw. "Saints Row 2" features gang violence and allows players to shoot police officers.
Other games listed were "Dead Space," "Fallout 3," "Far Cry 2," "Legendary," "Left 4 Dead," "Resistance 2" and "Silent Hill: Homecoming."
Meanwhile, the institute recommended five T-rated games, intended for ages 13 and older: "Guitar Hero World Tour," "Rock Band 2," "Rock Revolution" "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows" and "Shaun White Snowboarding."