Perils of the princess 2.0: an (auto)ethnographic study of girls playing Super Mario Bros. 2

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article uses elements of both ethnography and autoethnography to evaluate the role of Princess Toadstool (aka Princess Peach) in the 1988 game, Super Mario Bros. 2. The analysis is primarily qualitative and uses an anonymous online survey. It answers the question of how Princess Toadstool’s presence in the game affected American female players in the 1980s and 1990s when the overarching American message was that “thin,” “white,” and “pretty” are best. The author examines the history of the game, 1980s and 1990s American “princess” culture, and game accessibility for American girls in the 1980s and 1990s. Character choices in game play are then assessed with the aforementioned information in mind. The author concludes that Princess Toadstool’s inclusion as a female option may have been an important first step toward inclusion of female heroes, but Nintendo’s continued use of female stereotypes and beauty standards undermines her move from the damsel in distress to a playable hero.