Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Patch Removes a Gesture That Means Something Different Outside of Japan

Patch 1.1 has arrived for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch. With this patch, some adjustments have been made to smooth out the racing experience. However, one alteration stuck out among the rest. The Inkling Girl performs a gesture that means something different in Europe.

When passing another racer, the Inkling girl raises her arm in a flexing manner and grabs her bicep. In Japan, this simply means "Challenge accepted" or "Bring it on". In European countries much more familiar with Shakespeare it means… something different.

Unfortunately, cultural sensitivity won the day and her animation here was changed. While it may be offensive in Europe, it wasn't the intention of the Japanese developers at Nintendo to imply "up yours". Perhaps if Nintendo wasn't as family friendly, the intent would be made more clear instead of removing it, but regardless, the Inkling girl now does this:

Regardless, this is just a minor change for the Western audience. The full patch notes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can be found below:

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe v1.1 patch notes​

• Opponents' names are displayed in the rear view mirror view in online matches.
• Invincibility period after a spin-out or crash is longer in online matches.
• Up to two players can spectate a friend group while they wait to join.
• "Worldwide" and "Regional" modes add players to Mirror and 200cc matches less often.
• Can now properly create a friend lobby when you have 100 or more friends.
• Inkling Girl's animation has been adjusted.
• Starting positions in online races now properly reflect the order in which players join.
• Driver Miis now properly showing facial expressions.
• Tournament clock now properly reflects real-world time.