Super Mario attacked over digital fur

Animal rights protesters have launched a scathing attack on video-game character Mario - for wearing digital fur.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals complain that the famous plumber wears fur in the new Nintendo game, Super Mario 3D Land.

This is a reference to a magical 'Tanooki' suit which grants Mario special powers in the game.

This has upset Peta which says that - in real life - tanuki are raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for their fur.

Peta has released a parody online game, Super Tanooki Skin 2D, which sees ethical gamers take control of a skinned raccoon pursuing Mario.

The website says: "Tanooki may be just a suit in Mario games, but in real life, tanuki are raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for their fur.

"By wearing Tanooki, Mario is sending the message that it's OK to wear fur. Play Super Tanooki Skin 2D and help Tanooki reclaim his fur!"

But a Nintendo spokesperson told Eurogamer: "Mario often takes the appearance of certain animals and objects in his games.

"The different forms that Mario takes make no statement beyond the games themselves."