the animal rights organization, peta, has started a new campaign against Nintendo for the design of COW, the playable character who debuted in Mario Kart World. The reason for the controversy is the nasal earring that the cow carries. According to the association, this visual detail normalizes and promotes cruelty to animals in the real world.
Mario Kart’s cow at the center of controversy
Since its launch, Mario Kart World It has established itself as one of the most commented installments of the saga. This is not only because of its gameplay, but also because of the inclusion of COW. This is the first cow to be part of the cast of runners. The character quickly won the sympathy of the players for their colorful and fun design. However, The popularity of the animal also aroused criticism from PETA. They consider that the hoop on their nose sends a negative message to the global title audience.
PETA sent a letter directly to Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, requesting that the nasal ring detail be removed in future versions of the game. In his words, the organization asked the company “Show empathy towards the cattle and remove the nasal ring so that COW runs freely, without painful reminders of industries that treat animals as profit machines”.
According to PETA, the metal rings that are placed on the nose of cows and bulls in the meat and dairy industry are not innocent accessories. They are control tools that cause pain and suffering. In addition, they denounced that These instruments are used to subdue, drag and sometimes lead animals to death.. This is something they consider incompatible with the cheerful and familiar image that represents Mario Kart.
PETA’s message: leave the rings to Sonic
The request concluded with an ironic comment addressed to Nintendo: “Every animal is someone. Leave the rings to Sonic and let Cow breathe freely.”. With this phrase, PETA not only makes a pun with the emblem of the franchise Sonic the Hedgehog. It also reinforces its call to video game companies to Have greater sensitivity in the treatment of animal characters.
The organization has a history of campaigns against Nintendo and other companies. In 2021, PETA asked that his pet “Not a Nugget” appear as a downloadable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. A year earlier, he published a “vegan guide” for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. In this, he recommended not fishing in the game, since, according to them, Activity reproduces harmful practices for animals and the planet.
PETA has also pressured other studies. In 2022, he asked Sony Santa Monica to include a alternative mode God of War Ragnarok No violence towards animals. This generated debates on the limits of the representation of nature in titles of action.
Nintendo’s response is still pending
So far, Nintendo has not issued any comment on PETA’s petition. COW is still present in Mario Kart World For the Switch 2 console with its characteristic nasal earring. However, media pressure could open the possibility of the company revising the character design in future updates or deliveries.
For now, the controversy puts again at the center of the conversation the relationship between video games and the ethical representation of animals. This is a discussion that seems to be far from over.
