PETA set to lock horns with Nintendo over Tanooki Mario

by Steven Mostyn - Nov 15 2011, 09:19

It would appear the animal welfare activists over at PETA have either taken leave of their senses or have a genuine grievance towards endearing Nintendo mascot and portly Italian plumber Mario.

Moreover, newly released Nintendo 3DS videogame Super Mario 3D Land has raised PETA’s hackles due to that fact that its gameplay includes Mario utilizing special character abilities by donning a controversial Tanooki suit.

For those not willing to type Tanooki into Google, a Tanooki suit (in the real world) is fashioned from the fur of raccoon dogs, which are skinned alive to deprive them of their precious pelts.

“When on a mission to rescue the princess, Mario has been known to use any means necessary to defeat his enemies—even wearing the skin of a raccoon dog to give him special powers,” outlines PETA via its “Mario Kills Tanooki” website. “By wearing Tanooki, Mario is sending the message that it’s OK to wear fur.”  

Highlighting its obvious displeasure regarding Nintendo’s apparent lack of sensitivity, PETA has even launched an online side-scrolling game called Super Tanooki Skin 2D, in which an angry skinned Tanooki pursues a be-suited and bloody Mario in an attempt to retrieve its fur.

With giant bloody Tanooki peppering its background, the game closely resembles prior classic Mario titles and ends with “@#&$ you Mario!” when Nintendo’s mascot is finally caught.

Although Nintendo has not yet issued any official comment regarding PETA’s complaint and controversial game, we here at Tech Herald Towers wouldn’t be at all surprised if it foregoes apology and/or content editing in favor of threatening legal action due to the use of its intellectual property without permission.

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