Nintendo to remove Native American references in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo has pledged it will make changes to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate after an outcry surrounding Native American character designs in the game.

The designs centre on Mr. Game & Watch, a retro-themed character from Nintendo's old LCD game handhelds.

One of the character's moves references Fire Attack, a 1982 cowboy game where you defended a wooden fort from screaming Native Americans who wielded burning torches and wore feathers in their hair.

The same design can also be seen in a separate Spirit character within the game.

Nintendo previously edited Fire Attack when it was re-released on Game Boy as part of compilation title Game & Watch Gallery 4. Then, the feather was removed from the Native American characters' hair - something Nintendo will now also do with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

"Nintendo has been planning to distribute an update for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that removes the feather from the silhouette of Mr. Game & Watch," a Nintendo spokesperson told Eurogamer today. "The original game on which this depiction of the character is based was released more than three decades ago and does not represent our company values today.

"We sincerely apologise that this change was not noticed in our marketing material and are continuing our work to make Super Smash Bros. Ultimate an experience that is both welcoming and fun for everyone."

The move was spotted last week as part of Nintendo's final Smash Bros. Direct broadcast, and was widely condemned on Twitter and reddit.

In a large thread on ResetEra, responses to the use of the design were overwhelmingly negative, with many fans calling for it to removed.