Nintendo Renames Controversial Mario Character in Japan
Nintendo has changed the name of a character in the Super Mario Bros. franchise from "Blackie" to "Spike" due to the former name's association with a racial slur. The character, Foreman Spike, originally appeared in the 1984 video game "Wrecking Crew" and is depicted as a muscular, White construction worker with black facial hair. The change was made before the release of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which has broken box office records for video game adaptations and animated films. The name change has been praised as a common-sense decision, and it is unlikely that anyone will complain about it.