PETA Has Taken Swings at Nintendo 9 Times Over 17 Years

When it comes to animal rights activism, few organizations are as bold or controversial as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). For nearly two decades, PETA has repeatedly targeted Nintendo through campaigns that blend satire, protest, and media theatrics. Most recently, they demanded the removal of a cow character’s nose ring in Mario Kart World, criticizing it as insensitive symbolism. Counting back to 2008, this season marks the ninth time PETA has publicly taken aim at Nintendo.

9 Times PETA Made a Statement Against Nintendo

Here’s a breakdown of PETA’s most memorable actions:

1. November 2008 – Released a parody titled Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals, calling for a vegan version of the game.
   
2. November 2011 – Launch Mario Kills Tanooki, criticizing Mario’s Tanooki Suit from Super Mario 3D Land as glamorizing fur.
   
3. October 2012 – Debuted Pokémon: Black and Blue, likening Pokémon battles to animal cruelty.
   
4. October 2013 – Released Pokémon: Red, White, and Blue, satirizing McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal.
   
5. July 2016 – Declared their Los Angeles office a “Pokémon-free zone,” likening Pokémon capture to imprisonment.
   
6. March 2017 – Sent an open letter urging Nintendo to reframe the cow-milking mini-game in 1‑2‑Switch as a critique of dairy industry practices.
   
7. June 2019 – Launched the “I’m Not Your Wooloo Sweater” campaign ahead of Pokémon Sword and Shield to oppose wool exploitation.
   
8. March 2020 – Release a Vegan Guide to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, advising players to avoid fishing, bug-catching, and museum displays.
   
9. August 2025 – Called for Cow’s nose ring to be removed from Mario Kart World, arguing it echoes real-world animal suffering.

Despite strong criticism as well as occasional support, PETA has consistently used Nintendo games as platforms for symbolic challenges and messaging.

Final Thought

PETA’s repeated targeting of Nintendo over the years shows how deeply games infiltrate cultural and ethical discussions. Whether you view these actions as impactful protests or over-the-top theatrics, they undeniably spark conversation. The real question now: which Nintendo game will be next in PETA’s crosshairs?