Subliminal homophobic messages in Super Mario Galaxy boxart?

Spotted by several eagle-eyed GameFAQers, the boxart for upcoming title Super Mario Galaxy appears to be a little more sinister than its childish overtones.

[chasegamez]

who's posting this bs

[Feihc Retsam]

This line from the writer of the article

"After all, as simple as Pac-Man was, you have to wonder if a game based on playing in a darkened room munching pills, running from ghosts and listening to repetitive music..."

This is ripped directly from a T-shirt I saw about 10 years ago in a Spencer's gifts. So don't think this guy is as clever or witty as he may think he is. He's a plagarist!

Here's a link to one site selling the shirt. And a picture attached.
http://www.shirthead.co.uk/...

[JsonHenry]

I am a total Homophobe. Or should I say a homohater. There is a reason I love Mario (in a strictly platonic sense mind you) and this is why! We share the same hate values! lol

Seriously, this sort of stuff is good for the game. Free Press!!!

[commadore65]

However has also been attributed to many other people like some Nintendo CEO, and even Bill Gates.

to be honest it sounds like a stand up joke and not some off the cuff quip by a business man in an interview, and he's a good comedian.

http://www.marcusbrigstocke...

[pwnsause]

who ever reads this is a small brain.

[HateBoy]

Way d go calling urself a small brain...
Its funny, not only that, its really really funny. Seriously doubt its on purpose tho, that would just be too stupid.

[HeavyweightInTheGame]

But damn! Those have to be pretty small odds for the exact letters to spell that out. Anyways I think it's kinda funny.

[jkoz]

Stupidest story I've ever read. HOW did this make it onto the site again? Lame.

[jackdoe]

Lol. This is funny as hell. If it was done on purpose, then I guess the guy who designed the cover was just having a bit of fun.

[TnS]

This is the offical boxshot.
http://tothegame.com/boxsho...

[ChickeyCantor]

" homophobic "
how is it homophobic?
....and then again if its meant to be like that, gay also means happy.

[HateBoy]

Good point. On the other hand, which is the most common use (hence the way most people would understand it) of the word? I'm guessing Gay as in a person who diggs people of their own gender.

[Basch]

It's not especially homophobic to assert that someone is "Mr Gay". To call someone a "godless f*g" would be homophobic, but Mr Gay doesn't really strike me as especially anti-gay. If anything, I'd be more irritated by this supposedly subliminal message's assumption that the game's demographic is an all-male one :P

[ChickeyCantor]

i both understand you, its not really smart to put something like that as an hidden message.
but if its Nintendo intention then i'm sure they ain't calling mario a godless " f*g " XD, or you, so i would say Happy.

but i guess its to far fetched like the designer who did this XD

[snoop_dizzle]

who says the music in the upcoming mario game is the devils music, and it possesses kids.

SHUN THE EVIL! :P

Man some people really read into things way too much.

[WilliamRLBaker]

I am now dumber for reading that....

[snoop_dizzle]

but after looking at it, i'm not all a sudden feeling homophobic.

if its really subliminal though, you wouldn't have to look hard though, would you?

[Xi]

i lol'd, I lol'd all over the place.

[Sylo]

Ew...you might wanna clean that up then...

[The Swordsman]

A joke of an article. Jack Thopmson could write a better article about videogames.

[NRG]

I'm sorry, but I can't deny it. The image for the post of the this article here at N4G is just plain homo. But yeah, somebody has been staring at that box art for too long.

[Basch]

SO homosapien....

[ShiftyLookingCow]

this is a sad load of bs

[Yo Mama]

If this was done intentionally, why wouldn't they just make it say " U R Gay" and drop the "Mr." part all together? This is ridiculous.

[Honeal2g]

he loves jumping on Heads... (no explanation needed)

Loves Pipes (pipe is slang for ..well lets just say if u cant figure it out dont bother)

loves mushrooms (no need to explain)

Smash Bros( smash is slang for "hittin it" if u catch my drift)

obviously i;m just having fun with this...pretty funny stuff

[Guitarded]

that anytime their is something derogatory said or printed about homosexuals, that it is automatically considered homophobic. I don't have any fear, irrational or otherwise, of homosexuals. I just believe they have somthing wrong with them, be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual that causes them to think it's acceptable to be with their own sex.

[HateBoy]

I think theres something wrong with you, be it lack of iq, inbreeding or whatever. Fakking ignorants, get a clue. And in case ur not getting it (u obviously dont have a lot of brains), what YOU said was VERY homophobic. Now go, I think your cousin needs some a-lovin'.
You are oficially the most stupid person on n4g today, congrats.

[Basch]

It's people like you who get the wrong people into positions of power. Please be a dear and STFU.

[Honeal2g]

you guys are attacking him without discussing anything ...did he offend you guys or something...are you guys gay?..(people will now say i;m name calling) because they word GAY has a negative conotation but i am in no way trying to call anyone name ...i could understand that if you guys were indeed gay then wat he said would take on a whole new meaning .... but from My perspectice(heterosexual)i understand where he is comin from "UR Mr Gay"....how on Earth is that Homophobic?.

[Patrick]

Kind of jumped on Guitarded didn’t you? Almost to the point of sounding like the truth hurts or something. You’re wrong though. "Phobic" or a "phobia" is indeed a fear of something. You don’t have to fear something to know it’s wrong or in this case immoral and unnatural. In fact, it is you who actually seem to fear him or his personal opinion anyway which he is more than free to have. He didn’t bash you or anyone. He said he feels its wrong to be that way. And in case of point he has more proof that it is indeed wrong, to back him up that you do to say its ok. (The natural order of things, the bible, ect...) But, it again was just his opinion and nothing personal till you made it so. So back off. Your temper and name calling just shows your ignorance and fear. Oh and I think this Mario thing is just silly.

[HateBoy]

@honeal2g: Umm no, I'm not gay. I'm just Swedish, and as such I've had the good grace of beeing educated properly and objectively, as in not letting presuposed meanings on the "natural order" or religious BELIEFS influence the facts. I have several friends who are gay and yes I take it facking personally when some ignorant dude says theres something wrong with them, mentally or whatever. UR MR GAY is not homophobic, agree, but that wasn't the point. Now if you wanna take this to the next level let me know, I am a political scientist and have also studied a lot of philosophy so I bet we could make it interesting.
Next
@Patrick: Your right in one aspect, I AM afraid of people like him, you can call me homophobic phobic if you like. Why? Cus its people like him (and apparently you) who construct a closed and hateful society where the majority holds the truth, dictating whats "right" and "wrong" from such dubious grounds as the natural order of things, the bible etc (as you say). You think you live in a free world, when in fact america in many ways is as closed and controlled as the USSR was, tho trough other means and in other areas of human life.
Homophobic is commonly used to describe a person who sees it as wrong to be gay. Dont take the words so litteraly. Homophobic is not only used to describe those who are literally afraid of gays, in fact I think most people who indeed fear gays would never ever admit it, they just say its wrong, that they need to be executed, beat up or whatever, it doesn't change the fact that their homophobic.
So there.

[Basch]

Yes, I'm gay, and as I'm sure you can empathise, I find being labelled "mentally wrong" deeply offensive. To define being gay as unacceptable is to be pretty audacious indeed, not to mention ignorant. What is incomprehensible to most is the fact that people don't choose to be gay – it is just as instinctive an attraction to the same sex for us as that of "straight" people to the opposite sex. We are not paedophiles, we do not commit bestiality and we do not have sex with the first thing we see. Those we're with choose to be with us, despite whatever some bigoted eighth-century monk told you about Sodom and Gomorrah. This is the 21st century, people.

Edit: I reflect all HateBoy's assertions about the user who stigmatised this bout. And since when was the Bible proof of anything?

[Guitarded]

I don't want to hurt someone who is already hurting. They need help not more greif. I love you people, just hate your lifestyle. You can't choose your feelings but you can choose how you act upon them. Many drug addicts deny they have something wrong with them too. I know because I was in denial about drugs at one time. I stand by my original statement. If you are homosexually inclined their is a problem that needs to be dealt with not embraced.

[Basch]

You haven't taken a single thing I've said into account, have you? I didn't choose my orientation, but I welcome it. I don't need help, not to any degree. I am fine with how I am – I love how I am, in fact – and I'll happily use up my last post on this topic just to say that you, sir, are the one who needs help. Deal with society's departure from the 1950s or go back to your neo-fascist rut and stick your fingers in your ears.
We are not dogs, Guitarded. Words hurt as much as brute force.

[Guitarded]

So society is not where I choose to get my values. I never called or implied you were dogs. The truth hurts more than mere words. Denying a problem does not mean that it doesn't exist. Get a grip, being "gay" is wrong no matter what society or satan tells you. If you search your heart you will feel the conviction in it... or my original statement stands. I think I hate being called homophobic as much as homosexuals hate being called (insert derogatory name here).

[Guitarded]

All you boys need to stop being so butt-hurt. Get it. I love me some double entendre.

[Guitarded]

I like the way you choose to ignore the possible psysical, emotional or spiritual problems, and focused on the mental one. Are you trying to tell us something about your mental state.

[Patrick]

All I will say is this. I never said I hate anyone. God says "Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner" Thats what the Bible says and thats what I go by. Oh and you should be careful denying God or His Word (Bible) is Real. See, if your right and theres no God, When you and I die we're both fine. We just die and thats it. But if me and millions and millions of belivers are right and He does exist and your not a child of His. Then when you and I die, I am still ok, you however...wont be.
I still think this mario thing is silly.

[MACHone]

To all the people who say they "feel dumber (is that a word?) for reading this," why is that? Is it because you think this is some sort of photoshopped pranking? Well, think again. Visit any video game website and pull up the boxart for Super Mario Galaxy. The little stars are there! This is not fake! Now, whether this was intentional or a coincidence (one hell of a coincidence if you ask me) is a different story entirely. Now, if you said you feel "dumber" because this "message" is being deemed homophobic, I guess that would all depend on whether it was intentional or not, now wouldn't it?

The plot thickens, methinks.

[DeZimatoR]

lol :p

[ChickeyCantor]

I dont get, why someone disagreed with me on my comment?
=/.....

[MikeGdaGod]

well....the Wii is a gay ass name for a console anyway.

does it translate to anything in jap or what? i always wondered why they picked that name in the first place.

[ChickeyCantor]

do you even pay attention?
its explained so many times.
Wii = pronounced as We
its a short word that isn't hard to say and its easy to remember, everyone over the whole planet could say it with ease.

that you didn't know this and two fools agreeing with you just shows how pathetic people are, you guys don't even pay attention you guys don't even know whats going but bash stuff with little knowledge.

my god =/

[Eagle_CFC]

Oh come on Sidar.

"Wii" is a silly name, if it was the "Sony Wii or worse still WiiStation..." imgaine the fun you'd have! You don't have to be grown up 100% of the time, only when it matters.

Re the name, you go on about people not having their facts straight, but Wii is called Wii as it means "We" as in to play together and community, Nintendo explained it was their way of saying this is for everyone. So try not to give the dramatic "my god" over something so trivial when you do not appear to know the full story yourself.

Rant over

[ChickeyCantor]

Did you see me defend the NAME, if its silly or not?
i'm just simply saying that Scottie is spouting BC.
If he payed attention he should have known Why its called like that.

you are reading my comment out of context.

and i do know the full story of it but why should i say it all its already said so many times, so not gonna explain it all.

[Eagle_CFC]

My apologies.

[MikeGdaGod]

no i haven't paid attention to the Wii or its special meaning because simply put, i don't give a sh!t.

i have absolutely no interest in the Wii. i tried it twice and i wasn't impressed. after that i really hadn't given it or the meaning of the name another thought until now. but in any case, its still a dumbass name imo.

thanks for the knowledge and have a nice day

[ChickeyCantor]

you have no interest? then why bash it? if you couldnt give a sh!t then why ask the question? why wonder?
you dont make sense @ all. 0_o

[monkey602]

I always associated the name Wii with Small because thats what the console is and thats how people who use the word spell it I thought.
He's just a wii kitty... in boots (I remember something similar to that being said in Shrek 2, obviously I just dont remember exactly what was said)

[vidoardes]

The term you are thinking of is 'wee' and it is scottish slang (hence it being used in shrek, as the have given him a scottish accent). The word Wii was used by ninteno as a play on the word we, as in several people. It was supposed to signify it's about multiplayer and everyone joining in, but also to be short and memorable.

I still think revolution was a better naem though.

[Relientk77]

i wonder if they kno they actually spelled that message when they made that box art

[sandip787]

lol that made me laugh

[ElementX]

As N4G's official homosexual, ;) I don't think there's anything wrong, however I don't think it's coincidence. Maybe the artist has something to share lol

[Wii60_FTW]

official homo? damn. and here I thought u were kidding.

btw, this is 100% intentional. never heard of statistics? spelling that out on accident is 99.9999% statistically impossible.

I'm sure the Big N will get wind of this and have it fixed, as well as file lawsuite against whatever butt-plugger did this.

[xionpunk]

forget whether this is true or not...who the hell stared at that image long enough to notice. my god someone needs a girlfriend.

[Lavagasm]

Nintendo did not design the box art for this game. It was done by a graphic artist, as most box art is. This graphic artist is likely employed by an outside firm, separate from Nintendo. I'm not saying it is intentional, or that it isn't. I'm just stating a fact that Company's don't design the box art, posters, packaging, displays, etc. for their own games. So it is plausible that it is intentional.

[commadore65]

Maybe the graphic designer has some inside knowledge about mario's sexual preferance.

But I alwasys thought all that blushing for Princess Toadstool/Peach was real, unless of course there's summin we dont know about Peach!? =/..

[SolidSnake93]

ROFL weird coincidence.

[dork0783]

im never gonna look at the cover box art the sAME ever again. LOL!!!!!!

[Wii60_FTW]

how dare some sick butt-pounder defame Mario and Mr. Miyamoto's honor? Someone is gonna get fired.

[Covenant]

So first, it was "KKK" in Gears, and now this.

Methinks some people have too much time on their hands, and overactive imaginations.

This COULD be deliberate--always a possibility that it's a childish prank--but more likely, coincidence.

[TheExodus]

How do we know a graphic artist who happens to be gay is responsible for this when it could just as easily be a graphic artist who happens to think that the Wii is gay? URMRGAY? URNOTE? Hmm... seems to have a little PS3 fanboy written all over it, no?

[neil1988]

im gay and i dont find this homophobic. this is just a stupid posting LOL

[FirstknighT]

Funny. Kinda reminds me of the hidden sexual parts of Disney movies.

[GoLeafsGo]

I was just thinking of the whole "SEX" thing from the Lion King.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

It's like the back cover of the "Pokemon the 1st Movie Soundtrack". Not kidding...read it upside down. It says "EVIL" behind Mewtwo.

That is...if any of you have the soundtrack...MK!

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Homophobic???

[PS360PCROCKS]

lol

[MrWeymes]

This is probably a coincidence, but even if it's not, how offensive is this really? U R MR. GAY? Excellent. I will enjoy this game very much. Mario's sexual preference is of no relevance to me. But, on a serious note, why would a company like Nintendo make a discriminatory game? It's not good for business.

[monkey602]

Makes you wonder who notices this kind of thing.

[snoop_dizzle]

im wondering the same thing.

How do you accidentally stumble across this?

and it didn't seem that subliminal.

[Spartacus]

It's kinda sad that this is, like, the first time a Nintendo related story has been one of the top three stories, and the story involves a stretch of a subliminal message. That says a lot about the N4G community...

[sicknnyc]

I knew Miyamoto=GAY

[lib9]

I can't see it ! lol

[Goshyujin_Sama]

funny as hell, and it was definiely on purpose, hahaha someone is gonna get the axe, hahahah

[LPpatriot45]

Also, if you look in the upper left-hand corner, that big capsule thing is "spewing" space dust.

It's actually quite easy to find sexual references on game boxart...

But this one is seriously creative, rofl.

[ReBurn]

Seriously, only a full-time victim would be looking for that. Utter nonsense.

[soegong]

Masak sih beneran? hehehe...

[vidoardes]

As for it being random, there are 16 letters, UR MR GAY is 7.

Assuming that there were a fixed choice of 7 stars it would be:

16^7 which equals a 1 in 268,435,456 of it being done at random.

If then you assume that the number of stars used is random (i.e there could be one, or one each letter, and any variation in between) then it becomes:

16^136 which equates to a 1 in 575 x 10^160 chance of happening.

(for those of you no good with math, thats 575 followed by 160 zeros, or 575 novendecillion googol)

I think we can agree the chances of this happening by accident is slim to none. What's it's intention is, is another matter. Could simply be a misunderstood translation, as the dictionary definition of Gay is also happy.

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

there is about 5 or 6 pentagrams on the box.

[Rooted_Dust]

Someone needs a dictionary. If the boxart was subliminally homophobic, it would make you dislike or hate homosexuality. If there is any inferred homosexuality about a fat Italian plumber flying through space with stars and what-not it is this persons perspective and he should probably take a closer look at his own desires and tendencies.

[THE_JUDGE]

who cares? And homophobic is a made up word. Everbody knew mario was gay along time ago.

[eclipsegryph]

"Word" is a made up word. It's just been in use longer than "homophobic". Technically you can put -phobic to any noun or verb and it'd be acceptable. Like "triskaidekaphobia".

[jerseynets04]

its a damn game cover. i feel dumber for clicking on the link. its not even homophobic if it were infact intentional. who has the time to look at a game cover long enough to notice some crap as minor as that. if your taking this seriously, your as simple minded as the fools who pointed it out in the first place. guess mario has been saving peach all these years in hopes of getting her dress rather than in it.

[PimpHandHappy]

a mans game

lol

dumbest news post ever!

[Cat]

deep stuff. like now I have to wonder WHO is Mr Gay? I mean, does he have sinister plans for the Princess, or just a mani pedi date? ;)

[TheMART]

So Mario sucks...

That other Italian dude?