Nintendo Renames Character Ahead of 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' Japan Release—Was It Racist?

Nintendo has officially changed the name of one of its legendary video game characters, Blackie, who features in the 1984 game "Wrecking Crew," as well as the upcoming "Super Mario Bros. Movie," which will be released later this month in Japan, Albany Herald tells us in a report.

Blackie has always been known as Spike in English-speaking regions, and Nintendo has now chosen to rename the videogame character in Japan as well.

Reason Behind the Name Change

Some fans of the original game may be surprised by the name change, as Blackie has been recognized by this name for the past three decades.

However, because the character has not appeared in any of Nintendo's other games or spinoff series, it is possible that the company simply had not given the moniker any thought in recent years.

With no more explanations from Nintendo, the modification could be a precautionary measure in light of the current political setting in the United States.

The color in the name may be dehumanizing and reduces a character to its color. Additionally, the Merriam-Webster dictionary says that the word is typically considered offensive. But that is just guesswork on our part.

Reactions From Nintendo Fans

Fans have had mixed reactions about the decision to change the character's name. Some people are disappointed that the original name has been dropped, while others believe Spike is more appealing.

Many internet users have also voiced their optimism that the character may appear in new games due to the name change.

More About Nintendo's Spike

JapanToday tells us that "Wrecking Crew" was a unique action/puzzle game that starred Mario before he became "Super Mario."

The same report tells us that it was released in 1984 and was a modest success for the Famicom/NES. The game may have had the potential to become a long-running franchise, but it only received one Japan-only follow-up, "Wrecking Crew '98," released very late in the Super Famicom's lifecycle in 1998.

Meanwhile, the upcoming "Super Mario Bros. Movie" is eagerly awaited by fans, and it will feature several renowned Mario characters, including Spike. The film will be released in Japan on April 28, 2023.

A Box-Office Phenomenon

Variety reports that 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' has smashed box office records, grossing an impressive $871 million worldwide.

The animated family film will become the first 2023 release to join the exclusive billion-dollar club in the next week or so. The movie held the top spot at the domestic and international box office over the weekend, bringing in $58.23 million and $70 million, respectively.

It has raked in $434.33 million in North America and $437.5 million overseas to become the biggest film of the year, surpassing all other films at the global, domestic, and international box office.

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