Super Mario has always been the plumber we have grown to love in video games. Never have we pictured him to be the villain, until now. Apparently, the good folks at PETA are none too happy with Mario and one of the power ups he has in Super Mario Bros 3. Yes, the game was released in 1988 so it is indeed a head scratcher when trying to figure out why PETA has decided to take aim at a video game that is over two decades old. Nevertheless, PETA is disgusted with Mario’s “Tanooki” suit—which is essentially a suit made out of raccoon skin that allows him to fly. PETA has decided to “raise awareness” of Mario’s cruel nature by creating a video game titled “Super Tanooki Skin 2D” that tries to spoof Super Mario Bros 3 by having a skinned raccoon chasing down Mario to get his skin back.

Yes, this is for real. PETA’s Web site has a mission statement to prove it:

“When on a mission to rescue the princess, Mario has been known to use any means necessary to defeat his enemy—even wearing the skin of a raccoon dog to give him special powers.Tanooki may be just a “suit” in Mario games, but in real life, tanuki are raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for their fur. By wearing Tanooki, Mario is sending the message that it’s OK to wear fur. Play Super Tanooki Skin 2D and help Tanooki reclaim his fur!”

Nevermind the fact that Mario got his power from a leaf, not a raccoon.

You can play the game here if you don’t believe us.

What’s next? Duck Hunt?

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