Nintendo is doing some damage control after Mr. Game & Watch made a controversial callback to Native American history this weekend. The company has since stated that it will be updating Super Smash Bros. Ultimate so that the game reflects their current values.
For those who might have been too caught up in Diablo-gate from last week, news broke after a recent Super Smash Bros. Ultimate live stream that Mr. Game & Watch–the classic Smash character–had once again donned his feather headdress and torch for an attack in-game. The move is a reference to Fire Attack which debuted in 1982 on Game & Watch hardware.
This very same outfit was removed from 2002’s Game & Watch Gallery 4 for the same reason.
Nintendo followed up by discussing their plans to once again remove this divisive imagery when they spoke with Eurogamer:
“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.”
They even went on to apologize to fans:
“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.”
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate comes out on December 7 for the Nintendo Switch. You can pre-order the game over on Amazon if you haven’t already.
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