PETA Criticizes Nintendo for Cow’s Nose Ring in Mario Kart

PETA has targeted Nintendo’s latest addition to the Mario Kart franchise, urging the company to eliminate the nose ring from its new Cow character. This playable character has quickly garnered popularity among fans since the release of Mario Kart World.

Call for Change: PETA Appeals to Nintendo

In a formal letter addressed to Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, PETA stressed the ethical implications of the character’s design. They believe that the portrayal of a Cow with a nose ring inadvertently endorses real-world animal cruelty.

In their correspondence, PETA stated, “The brass ring in Cow’s nose glosses over real world violence and cruelty to animals. That’s why we’re asking you to give this beloved bovine a small but meaningful upgrade: Remove the nose ring and let Cow race freely—without any painful reminders of the industries that treat animals like profit-making machines.”

Liberate Cow pic.twitter.com/wLuf3fJZ1P

— PETA (@peta) August 14, 2025

PETA further emphasized that nose rings are common in the meat and dairy industries, serving to “exploit, control, and even drag animals to their deaths.” They concluded their message with a pointed remark, suggesting that Nintendo should “leave the rings to Sonic and let Cow breathe free!”

PETA’s Ongoing Campaign Against Animal Cruelty in Gaming

This isn’t the first time PETA has challenged Nintendo. In 2021, the organization lobbied for the addition of a vegan character to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The year prior, they released a “vegan guide”for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, discouraging players from participating in in-game fishing due to its harmful effects on wildlife and the environment.

PETA has also criticized other gaming studios; in 2022, they urged Sony Santa Monica to create a violence-free mode for God of War Ragnarok, reflecting a broader mission to raise awareness about animal welfare in entertainment.

As of now, Nintendo has not publicly responded to PETA’s recent appeal, leaving Cow’s distinctive nose ring intact in Mario Kart World on the Switch 2.

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