Nintendo Icons Spotlighted at LA Burlesque Club's Video Game-Themed Performance

Nintendo’s enduring characters have long inspired creativity both within and outside the gaming community.

Recently, that inspiration took a provocative turn at Bordello, a well-known burlesque club in Los Angeles, where performers staged a video game-themed evening that thrust iconic figures like Chun Li from Street Fighter, Princess Peach from Super Mario Bros., and Link from The Legend of Zelda into the spotlight—albeit in an unexpected fashion. The event, which sought to blend the worlds of popular gaming franchises with adult entertainment, featured dancers donning costumes reminiscent of beloved video game heroes before performing burlesque routines.

Audience members were treated to interpretive dances that included the removal of these outfits, delivering a risqué take on classic cosplay. Reactions to the show have been polarized within the gaming community and beyond.

While many acknowledge that video game characters have entered mainstream pop culture, some have questioned whether such performances respect the legacy of the characters or simply leverage their popularity for shock or appeal.

Observers of the event noted that although the costumes were immediately recognizable, their construction and overall quality left much to be desired.

Performing as icons like Chun Li, Princess Peach, Link, and even Samus Aran from Metroid, dancers aimed to channel the essence of their characters through choreography, though the end result drew mixed reviews. Industry commentators described the night as both an homage and a parody, underlining that the use of gaming imagery in adult settings is now a recurring trend.

"Video games and their characters are household names—seeing them used in such settings illustrates both the reach and the reinterpretation that comes with pop culture icons," one gaming journalist noted after reviewing the event coverage published by LA Weekly. The popularity of cosplay and the widespread appeal of Nintendo franchises like Super Mario Bros.

and The Legend of Zelda demonstrate just how deeply embedded these brands are in contemporary culture.

Nintendo itself has cultivated family-friendly images for their intellectual property, and events like these highlight the creative—if controversial—ways in which fans and performers continue to engage with the company’s beloved characters. As the community discusses the boundaries between appreciation and appropriation, one thing remains clear: Nintendo characters like Princess Peach and Link have become cultural staples, inspiring reinterpretation across countless platforms, including the world of burlesque.

While the LA event may not receive Nintendo’s official endorsement, its occurrence is yet another testament to the broad cultural impact of classic video game franchises.

Nintendo LA burlesque Bordello Chun Li Street Fighter Princess Peach Super Mario Bros. Link The Legend of Zelda Samus LA Weekly NegativeGamer