PETA Releases New Mario Inspired Game

PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – has a love/hate relationship with video games. Some games, such as Cooking Mama, are evil. Why? Because Mama promotes a carnivorous lifestyle. Other games, like early Mario platformers, are great. Especially when used as vehicles for pushing an animal-friendly agenda.

In a new campaign against McDonalds, PETA decided to bring back the Super Chick Sisters to help get their point across. In this adventure, Chickette and Nugget work to stop the evil Ronald McDonald after he captures Princess Pam, modelled after one of the more outspoken PETA activists, Pam Anderson. Evidently Ronald McDonald wants to put Pam in his UnHappy Meals. Or something.

While you may or may not agree with PETA’s message, the game is actually worth checking out if you have a free moment. The simple platformer is full of funny Mario references, including reoccurring appearances by Mario and Luigi themselves. In the first thirty seconds there is even a Miyamoto quip that will probably go over the heads of most playing. But PETA seems to be pretty tuned into the Mario universe, even poking fun at the never-ending line of Wii peripherals with their own creation – Wii Sit.  

Other parallels of note – instead of collecting coins you free baby chicks, and evil hamburgers replace Goombas as fodder bad guys. There are five levels to traverse, one of which lets you swim underwater after securing a special suit, throwing deadly hairballs instead of fireballs. A Mario Galaxy-esq level even plays with gravity in a fun way. As you progress, expect to be met with the occasional talking point by PETA.

If you are in for tackling all five stages, you will be granted with a “bonus video” that shows handycam footage bloody and battered Chickens. Choosing the kid-friendly version of the game when prompted will avoid the bizarre break in gameplay.

You can play the game, and learn more about PETA’s message, here.