Animal rights group PETA is urging Nintendo to redesign the cow character in its popular game, “Mario Kart World,” due to the presence of a nose ring. The game, released in June for the Nintendo Switch 2 console, features an anthropomorphic cow with a brass nose ring.
PETA argues that the nose ring is not a style choice but rather a tool used to control and hurt cows in the meat and dairy industries, causing lasting pain and discomfort. The group’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Engagement, Joel Bartlett, wrote to Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa requesting that the company remove the nose ring from the game.
Nintendo has not yet responded publicly to PETA’s request. Despite this, “Mario Kart World” has been a top-selling game since its release, with over 5.63 million copies sold by June 30. The game allows players to compete against each other in open-world tracks to see who can complete the fastest.
Fans of the game have responded to PETA’s challenge, with some expressing concern for the character’s “cruel” depiction and others suggesting that the cow could opt for a piercing without any negative consequences.
Source: https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2025/08/popular-nintendo-game-under-fire-by-peta-for-characters-accessory.html