In a recent development, the popular game Mario Kart World has faced criticism over a character’s design. The animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has expressed concerns regarding the character known as “Cow,” one of the playable racers in the latest version of the game. PETA argues that this character, which is essentially an animated cow, may be offensive and insensitive to real cows.
In the game called Mario Kart World, the cow is one of the many characters you can choose to play. This character, being an animal, joins a small group of similar animal racers. Although Donkey Kong and Yoshi are also animals, they have specific names which sets them apart. The cow in the game is unique due to its nose ring, a feature that some real-life bulls and cows possess. This detail has caught the attention of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), leading them to write a letter to Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa (as reported by GeekWire).
The letter to Shintaro Furukawa commenced with expressing that Cow has touched hearts everywhere, including their own. However, there’s an issue: the nose ring. They kindly asked for understanding towards cattle and requested the removal of this accessory, explaining that nose rings are often utilized by those in the meat and dairy industry to manipulate, dominate, and even lead animals to slaughter. These objects are roughly inserted through a particularly sensitive area of the body for bulls and cows.
The letter went on to say, “The dairy industry practices a cruel technique where they attach sharp, spiked nose rings on newborn calves. This way, when the calf nurses from its mother, it causes her discomfort and she often rejects or kicks away the calf. Similarly, bulls are controlled by fastening a chain from their nose ring to their horns, intensifying the pain for manipulation.
In simpler terms, PETA noticed a detail in the game design for cows, which might have gone unnoticed by gamers. This detail, as they see it, trivializes the actual cruelty animals face in real life. They emphasize that this feature “minimizes” the harsh reality of how animals are mistreated in industries. Finally, their plea was to eliminate the nose rings from the game, allowing cows to run freely without any symbols of their exploitation. Essentially, they want to treat all animals with respect and dignity, stating, “Let the cows be free as Sonic is with his rings, and allow them to breathe without reminders of industries that view animals only as profit sources.
The cow quickly became one of the favorite characters among players. People were thrilled to see it driving a car in the initial trailer, finding it exciting that a seemingly ordinary character from Moo Moo Meadows was given prominence. Even after the game’s release a few months ago, this cow is still a well-loved racer, so popular that PETA has even taken notice.
On multiple occasions, Nintendo has found itself in PETA’s criticism. One of their most notable targets was Super Mario and his Tanooki Suit, which they deemed as promoting a cruel fur industry. Similarly, they criticized Pokémon for depicting animal fighting and experimentation. Even the game Cooking Mama didn’t escape their attention. PETA has gone so far as to parody several of these games in order to emphasize their points.
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mario-kart-world-nintendo-switch-2-mk8-feature/embed/#
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2025-08-16 03:09