PETA Urges Nintendo to Remove Nose Ring from Mario Kart World Cow: Advocates for Animal Welfare in Gaming

PETA Appeals to Nintendo for Cow Character Redesign in Mario Kart World In a move underscoring the growing intersections between gaming culture and social advocacy, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has issued an open letter to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa.

Their appeal centers on the new cow character featured in Mario Kart World, a recent hit within the Mario Kart franchise, available on Nintendo Switch and other platforms.

The organization’s request: the removal of the cow’s brass nose ring, a design choice PETA argues carries uncomfortable real-world implications. Mario Kart World, developed by Nintendo, continues the series' global success with whimsical tracks, imaginative characters, and family-friendly gameplay.

Since its release, the title has achieved notable popularity on the Nintendo Switch eShop and has driven continued engagement in the franchise.

Central to this latest public discourse, however, is the game’s breakout character known simply as Cow. In their formal communication to Nintendo’s leadership, PETA commended the popularity of the new character but voiced concerns over the depiction of a nose ring.

Highlighting the reality of nose ring usage in farming industries, PETA explained that these devices are used to control and manage dairy and beef cattle.

In their words, such rings are “often forced through one of the most sensitive parts of a cow’s anatomy—the septum—causing persistent pain and discomfort.” The letter further elaborated on industry practices, noting that nose rings may also be used to prevent young calves from nursing by causing pain to the mother cow, sometimes even resulting in social rejection or distress for the animals involved.

By drawing attention to these practices, PETA urged Nintendo to recognize the unintended messages potentially reinforced by seemingly innocuous game design elements. Concluding their request, PETA called for what they described as a "small but meaningful change" to Mario Kart World’s character lineup, advocating for the removal of the brass ring.

"Let Cow race freely—without any painful reminders of industries that prioritize profit over animal welfare," the organization summarized in clear journalistic terms. Nintendo, which has a history of family-oriented content and has previously responded to social feedback regarding its games, has yet to issue an official response to PETA’s request at the time of publication. Mario Kart World continues to enjoy strong player engagement, having added to the enduring success of Nintendo’s iconic racing franchise.

As discussions around game design and social responsibility become increasingly prominent, industry observers are watching for how major developers like Nintendo address such calls for change in their most beloved properties. For more updates on Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch games, and ongoing discussions in the gaming industry, stay tuned to our news coverage.

Mario Kart Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Shuntaro Furukawa Kart Cow PETA Nintendo Switch