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Super Mario 3D Land is the latest video game to face criticism from animal rights organisation PETA, which isn’t pleased with the plumber’s apparent support of wearing fur.
In Super Mario 3D Land Mario dons a Tanuki Suit – tanuki is Japanese for raccoon dog.
“Tanukis are real-life raccoon dogs who are beaten and, as PETA’s undercover exposés show, often skinned alive for their fur,” said PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman. “This winter, everyone can give raccoon dogs and other fabulous animals a 1-UP by keeping our wardrobes fur-free.”
In Super Mario 3D Land tanooki may be just a suit, but by wearing the skin of an animal, PETA believes Mario is sending the message that it’s OK to wear fur. The organisation has created a new game, Super Tanooki Skin 2D, to help inform people that in real life, Mario would be wearing the skin of an animal who was beaten, strangled or electrocuted.
In the game players direct a bloody, skinned raccoon dog as he chases a tanuki fur-suited Mario through a surreal fur farm where raccoon dogs are routinely skinned alive for their fur.
You can play the game here. Be warned that some of the images found on the PETA website are upsetting.
