Nintendo announced they will remove the feather from Mr. Game & Watch in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
In a statement given to Source Gaming, Nintendo explained the original depiction of Mr. Game & Watch “does not represent our company values today.” They also apologized for not catching the character’s original design.
During Nintendo’s Japanese livestream, one of Mr. Game & Watch’s attacks was shown off. It was referencing offensive depiction of Native Americans.
We reached out for Nintendo for an statement. The feather will be removed from Mr. Game & Watch’s attack. pic.twitter.com/dOwNqjrV8J
— Source Gaming (@AllSourceGaming) November 7, 2018
The full statement reads:
“Nintendo has been planning to distribute an update for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that removes the feather from the silhouette of Mr. Game & Watch. The original game on which this depiction of the character is based was released more than three decades ago and does not represent our company values today.
We sincerely apologize that this change was not noticed in our marketing material and are continuing our work to make Super Smash Bros. Ultimate an experience that is both welcoming and fun for everyone.”
Mr. Game & Watch’s original depiction was recently revealed during one of Nintendo’s Japanese livestreams showing off the game and specifically highlighting Mr. Game & Watch’s Fire Attack. The original depiction drew the ire of a number of people on the gaming forum Reset Era, who claimed the depiction of the character was racist. Some of the users specifically believe the original game is racist because it depicted a cowboy Mr. Game & Watch fending off Native American Mr. Game & Watches.
What do you make of Nintendo’s decision? Should they have kept the original Mr. Game & Watch design with the feather on his head, or should they have removed it?