PETA vs. Super Mario

This past Sunday, Nintendo released Super Mario 3D Land, the latest game in the long running franchise. Gamers everywhere rejoiced when it was announced that the famed Tanooki suit would make a comeback. Personally, I was giddy with excitement when I found out the short, mustachioed, Italian plumber was getting one of my favorite childhood power-ups. (Sad, right?) 

Well now PETA had to ruin all the fun. Someone from the organization decided, “Hey! Mario can’t go around showing kids its okay to wear fur! Let’s show them how wrong it is by launching our own (crappy) video game!” Yep. PETA made a flash game to raise awareness about the animal cruelty behind a Mario power-up. Oh and the little fox in the video game can die by getting crushed. Way to go, guys.   

We have all heard the argument before - video games (especially violent video games) are making a bad impression on children and teenagers. But Mario? Give me a break. I grew up on Mario. I was 4 when my Dad brought home the NES. Super Mario Bros. was the first video game I played. I’ve never wanted to emulate the character’s actions in real life. No jumping down sewer pipes or kicking turtles for me. Although, I did use to step on mushrooms in my backyard. And it would be pretty bitchin’ to throw fireballs. But I highly doubt that by throwing in a fox suit power-up, kids around the world are going to start skinning dogs or wearing fur. And it’s not even like Mario kills little baby foxes in the game! The suit pops out of a friggin’ “?” box!!!

I hate animal abuse as much as the next guy. But PETA needs to calm the “F” down. Worry about what happens in the real world PETA. Not the Mushroom Kingdom. 

edit: Maybe I was wrong about kids wearing fur. I wonder if this dude can fly…