PETA Urges Nintendo to Remove Cow's Nose Ring in Mario Kart World

Animal rights group PETA has escalated its push against Nintendo, urging the company to remove a nose ring worn by the character Cow in Mario Kart World. In an open letter to Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, PETA described the brass ring as a painful reminder of real-world animal suffering and asked for Cow to race without the accessory. The appeal comes as Mario Kart World continues to dominate the console’s launch lineup for the Switch 2, with the game selling millions of copies in its first month and drawing players into a high-speed, open-world racing experience.

PETA argues that nose rings are not a cosmetic feature but a tool used to control cattle in the meat and dairy industries, often causing lasting pain and distress. The organization said no real cow would voluntarily wear such a ring and urged Nintendo to remove it to avoid linking entertainment with animal cruelty. A representative for PETA emphasized that the request is about preventing a painful symbol from shaping how players perceive the character, suggesting that Cow should be allowed to race freely without reminders of animal exploitation.

In its broader critique, PETA asserted that nose rings are...