Super Mario Odyssey Continues the Series’ Struggles with Gender Politics

Nicole Hunter writes: "My first few hours with Super Mario Odyssey were really uncomfortable. In the first few minutes of the game, when Peach is being kidnapped by Bowser, he taunts Mario by saying, “Are you jealous?” My skin crawled when I heard that. The suggestion was, Mario would be going on his Odyssey because, yeah. He was jealous. Essentially, the rest of the game would be spent elaborately competing with Bowser to “win the girl.” This took the usually innocuous reasons I associate with Mario’s antics and put them into question."

[MrSwankSinatra]

Lmaoooooooooo, i love you internet i always get a good laugh out of BS like this. Toxic Masculinity in a Mario game??? LMAOOOOOOOO.

[ChasterMief]

Maybe in the next Mario game Mario will identify as a woman. We can only hope as it would greatly add to the story line.

[Prince_TFK]

I think for the next game we’ll be playing as Peach who go off to save Mario from Bowser, who himself has turned into gay and fall in love with Mario.

It would be call Super Peach: Odyssey. This would please these people.

[Valkron1]

You can make Mario wear a wedding dress if you use a Peach Amibo. I guess tranny Mario isn’t good enough for the LGBFTE=MC2 gestapo

[blawren4]

Then they would accuse Nintendo of pandering.

[Araragifeels]

N4G need to start blacklisting stuff like this. I support the movement for equality but not this crap, I hate people forcing their agenda into movies, TV show and games. I wouldn't care if it was put naturally but this is by far just sad.

[bluefox755]

This has absolutely nothing to do with equality. People already have equal rights, video games are free expression.

[Vegamyster]

This ones great.

"Pauline, the mayor of New Donk City, is one of the characters that everyone knows well from the Mario universe. She gets to be, really awesome. Though, she is reliant upon Mario for certain tasks still."

If you ran a real city you're going to be reliant on others, you can't do everything yourself. Plus it's a video game, as the main character you're expected to complete objectives lol.

[joab777]

It’s insane. First, he isn’t jealous. And what the hell is wrong with a man wanting to feel like a white knight? Nothing. It’s our DNA as protectors etc. It doesn’t mean that women are weak. If I lived like this, I dunno

[NordicRainy]

What a surprise where the article is from. I'll say this in every comments section for articles from this site: Don't give them any links!

[PhoenixUp]

Omg people will try to make everything political.

The description itself is vomit inducing as it talks about how ugly Madam Broode is, while neglecting to mention how Hariet drawn in the opposite more visually pleasing manner. Also Madam Broode is physically supposed to resemble a female version of Bowser.

In fact the way Madam Broode is dressed positions her as the evil counterpart to Pauline, a woman who’s a complete knockout. But I bet even SJWs would find an issue with attractive women in Super Mario.

[strayanalog]

Dear, niche. Please grow up or get over yourself. Signed, rational people.

[kevnb]

well fine, Im offended that mario will do anything at all for a woman.

[Averyashimself]

Can't the world just be simple? Cant we just enjoy video games for how fun they are, and not nit pick EVERYTHING a videogame has to offer?

[MagicBeanz]

Welcome to the LGBTXYZ123 new world order.

[gbsrnctaln]

The auther Nicole Hunter obviously suffers from some form of psychosis. The intro to SMO disturbed her lololol

[MoveTheGlow]

I kinda think she missed the point on the ending, and that's too bad, because it's both pretty forward-thinking and a response to years of dialogue about whether Mario deserves better for what he does for Peach. From Flash animations to big giant articles about it, Mario seems to get snubbed - often we see the idea floating around that Bowser and Peach are the real couple, and they're just playing with Mario.

[spoilers]
But that's just it - Mario, despite all his heroics, is a little wrong in assuming that because he does things for Peach, she'll just jump this mostly silent, mostly reactive, needy character, like it's a dang transaction. Bowser, on the other hand, goes in the opposite direction and takes what he thinks should be his, without knowing that you can't literally steal someone's heart. In Odyssey, Peach looks at these two and is basically like "What happened? You were cool when you two were merged together!" Because they are. Mario's deeds and Bowser's assertiveness, if combined and balanced out, would make one heck of a husband!

At least, that's what I think the guys in Japan were trying to get at. There's hardly anything in terms of dialogue, after all, which is why "It's just Mario" is such a common response.

[drizzom]

God its this garbage website again.

[Chaosdreams]

I'd post my opinion but I'm afraid my words would break the fragility of this writer. So I'm going to post it anyways.

--
"In the first few minutes of the game, when Peach is being kidnapped by Bowser, he taunts Mario by saying, “Are you jealous?” My skin crawled when I heard that."
--

We wouldn't want your skin to crawl by someone taunting someone else... Heaven forbid. Perhaps Peach is meant to be the damsel in distress? Not every single character, in every single game, is going to be a self reliant, independent and capable of doing everything on their own.

Sure, Mario, a male, is out to save Peach. For once perhaps just stop looking at the genitals associated, and just play the game? I have zero doubts that if it were Peach out to save Mario, I'd see articles on how woman shouldn't have to look after men, and that men should be able to look out for themselves. But hey, if a Peach saves the day game, is what we need then so be it / But that's not Mario.

Just take it for what it is, Mario saves Peach, that's their magical setup. Bowser causes mischief, that's the formula.

You're literally taking MARIO, of ALL THINGS, and labelling it as sexist. Because a man, saves a woman, and that the one being saved shouldn't be automatically viewed as a love interest. SURE, in reality, saving someone doesn't make them automatically a love interest, but this is Mario saving Peach - even friends show affection when saved (And this is a game).

--
"It’d be great if this franchise could start to go beyond helpless princesses and cheap sexist jokes as Mario tries to enter the modern era of games."
--

It would be great if you could get beyond your fragile shell of worry and learn that not everything is going to be made to your delicate liking. There is no rational person who plays Mario and says or thinks to themselves, for example, "Yeah that's right Peach, you are my property, you owe me."

I can't believe I have to defend an innocent IP like Mario.

[FullmetalRoyale]

Lol it’s all so ridiculous. Just like with that “a day without women” joke tweet that Colin Moriarty posted, you see fakers, pretenders, and bandwagoners jumping on anything to play their little role.
It’s pathetic how some people act nowadays. A way that they can only act when they aren’t actually looking you in the eyes, because you’d see right through them.

[BigTrain]

"I can't believe I have to defend an innocent IP like Mario."

And that says it all. This article is lunacy at its finest. Mario doesn't need to change because of selfish, paranoid, irrational nut jobs. The dumbest thing Ive ever read in my life. The day we start to discuss the effects of Mario misogyny is the day I find a new past time. She needs to get her head checked and dismiss herself from gaming altogether. Idiot.

[Thetruebluebomber]

Is that article meant to be satire?? Or are there really people out there who believes in the stuff she writes? If it's not meant to be satire I truly regret clicking on the link and reading that garbage.

[20live]

PC Principal is that you???

[slate91]

"To conclude, Super Mario Odyssey has a lot of the sexist trademarks of the Mario franchise. In order to play the game, I had to accept that I was going to have to put up with some sexist depictions of women. But, where typically there aren’t a lot of bright spots in the series’, in this aspect, I actually could find some things to appreciate about the way the game handles Peach’s agency. And, damn if Pauline isn’t really cool. It’d be great if this franchise could start to go beyond helpless princesses and cheap sexist jokes as Mario tries to enter the modern era of games."

LOLOLOL Everyone please go post in the comments at the source page. Please.

[ChasterMief]

They're deleting comments. I got banned lol.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

The left is a cancer to society.

[MagicBeanz]

Gender politics has no place in gaming now shut up and go away Nicole or do you go by Nick?

[MaxiPower90]

We need another hitler

[StormSailor]

Hitler would be in line with this kind of shit, they are already the new Hitler

[TheColbertinator]

Uh huh

[Einhander1971]

How did this pathetic article get posted

[Steveoreno1]

I will pray for you Nicole.

[Asuka]

Reported for being lame

[guywazeldatatt]

This reminds me of this clickbait article "triforce heroes is sexist". I'm not on either side of the political spectrum but it's effing Mario. This article is a joke.

[PlayableGamez-]

Developers need to stop listening to these journalist and SJWs or prepare to get more Mass Effect Andromedas.
The devs are not out of touch, it's these Journalist and SJWs who are out of touch.

[septemberindecember]

“Toxic masculinity”
No, masculinity isn’t toxic. This article is though.

[telekineticmantis]

Take Women out the game before you get it trouble.

[AnubisG]

Can't wait for the day when SJW mentality and the far left just fades away and things go back to normal. They have already murdered a great franchise (Mass Effect) with their victim mentality and hatred. It's time for then to GTFO of gaming and stay out forever.

Make your own games SJWs!!!

[aarogree]

(facepalm)

[TheUpbringer]

It's fucking Mario. Chill.

[corroios]

Damn, just play the game. Who cares....

[TheDreamCorridor]

Imagine being so stupid that you can’t enjoy a game about a plumber jumping on flowers.

[BadElf]

Hahaha! More childish PC comments! Grow up u fools. If u talk like this.....I...have concerns for you.
"Mario series still struggles with gender politics"....no, u still struggle with idiotic mindsets

[mikeboccher]

Whoever wrote this needs to be mentally evaluated

[DaFeelz]

Good lord. Are you kidding me?

Dear author,
You’re ridiculous, misguided and wildly pathetic. There are far greater crimes against women than Mario’s latest adventue and or odessy.
Politically correct gaming. Doesn’t that sound fun?
Mario, you are hell spawn. You and your ilk, are the bane of women’s existence and are the sole reason why women are oppressed and ill-perceived.

[Antnee534]

Can they please change the picture for the article that's a major spoiler for the game.

[addictedtochaos]

This is pathetic.

[knickstr]

1) your point is really ridiculous.
2) you're criticizing a Mario game made by Nintendo. Good luck with that.

[InTheZoneAC]

s.t.fffffffffffffffffffffff.uu uuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

[Darkwatchman]

Please stop

[Sirk7x]

Japan does not give a shit about what people in the US deem to be politically correct. Their culture is entirely different from ours.

[Profchaos]

Uggh it's a game ffs

[DivineAssault]

The game is great.. This new generation sucks the fun out of everything.. Movies, jokes, art, games, etc.. Nothing more than parasites in the modern world.. I feel sorry for women actually. Theyre going to be surrounded by sterile/neutered men and just go lesbian instead.. Good luck! Glad i got to enjoy the world before all this garbage tainted everything..

[Dixiedevil]

Oh, fuck off. Yes. You are anti-joke. Anti-joke and anti-fun busy body’s who have become the new church ladies. Uck. You’re cancer.

[Question_Mark]

Women like the author give all women a bad name. It's sad that we have people so arrogant that they think they deserve more just because they happened to be born a certain gender. What's even more sad is that people actually listen to these idiots.

[reaper602]

LMAO! This is pathetic!

[FullmetalRoyale]

https://media.giphy.com/med...

That’s JUST what I thought after Bowser stole the Frost-frosted cake!!

/s

[bluefox755]

Why do these garbage articles get approved?

[CrimsonWing69]

Gender politics? Wtf does that even mean?

Can’t we just have fun with a game where a plumber not plumber rescues a princess from a diabolical turtle dragon guy?

I mean why in the ever loving &@$! does everything have to offend people now!?

[bunfighterii]

Is this a satire? It's absolutely mental.

[TheOttomatic91]

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img...

[Zjet]

Fuck off, this type of article is what us ruining game journalism

[StormSailor]

"newnormative.com"

God, when all these progressive liberal leftists are going to look for a job and leave our games alone?

[dp5212]

How does the writer know Mario is not TG? What a woman couldn't identify as a man and. become a plumber? Come on Nicole. I thought in this day and age we were past stereotyping and generalizations. I can make something out of nothing as well. Seriously though it's scary that some people are allowed to walk the streets. What a KooKoo Bird!!! She must be fun at parties.

[JokerBoy422]

Leave it to a fucking snowflake to call out Mario on "Gender Politics"... Holy shit... Really?

[DialgaMarine]

Jesus Christ... How many freakin games do we have now that feature female protagonists doing amazing things? A crap ton, yet people are still complaining. Every “feminist” who complains about Mario now only proves the point that feminism has nothing to do with equality, but preferential treatment. Mario and toxic masculinity.. God damn, these people clearly failed at life.

[bigmalky]

Make your own game. Stop asking others to do everything for you or change to suit your needs. That's hardly being an independent, strong, woman that seems to think she can be just as good as men.

Women are, and can be, but bleating on about someone else's vision just proves that you personally, won't get off you backside and prove it... Just whinge and bully until you get what you want. A highly undesirable trait.

[Mr Marvel]

AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[GrimReaperGamer]

The person who wrote this garbage is a moron and the person who posted this GREGMICEK should be banned from N4G. Keep this crap off gaming websites and out of this world in general.

[EatCrow]

There wasnt an issue before and there is not an issue now.
Go back to your safe space.

[blawren4]

No even giving this article a click. Not worth my time. It's a game, not social commentary.

[spwittbold]

Everyone is now dumber for having read what Nicole Hunter just wrote.

[FernDiggidy]

lmfaooo??? What the fu..........???? These types of people need to be hunt down and shot.

[Cy]

Please, for the love of god, don't give this website clicks. Mock it in the comments here if you must, but don't fall for the bait.

[drunkenspy007]

Please ban this crap, the website and its writers are a pathetic joke.

[iofhua]

Maybe snowflakes shouldn't play video games so their delicate little feelings don't get hurt?

[Bleucrunch]

This is non sense and a reach of epic proportions.

[Tetsujin]

Please tell me this is satire...