We can't help but wonder if people aren't getting a little too sensitive. First Ubisoft's Mind Quiz for the DS and PSP was yanked, and now Mario Party 8 suffered the same fate right after its UK release. So what was the offense? An infamous four-letter word? Dirty insults that would make nuns and sailors alike blush down to their toes? Hot coffee level mistakes?
No, in both cases, it was the word "spastic."
Now, there's more at work here below the surface than is obvious at first glance. First, in Mind Quiz, the spastic label was applied to those who couldn't manage much in the game, and so yes, it was a little insulting. Second, while "spastic" is pretty tame as far as slang goes on this side of the proverbial pond, in the UK, it's apparently a little more insulting. It's the equivalent of calling someone a drooling retard, if you will (we use this phrase for the purposes of example here, so please, don't issue a Wii Fanboy recall). So we can understand that it maybe shouldn't have been used to identify lower-caliber players.
But in Mario Party 8, the word seemed rather more innocent. Here's the direct quote, including the offensive word, from Kamek: "Magikoopa magic! Turn the train spastic! Make this ticket tragic!"
So, apparently, we're to make the train shake. It's not necessarily insulting, though we suppose if someone were in the mood to take offense, they could. Admittedly, we're not British, so maybe we're missing the level of insult inherent in the word "spastic" here, but it seems that there are a number of words in every video game ever that could be interpreted as possibly, potentially offensive to someone, somewhere. Should we start recalling those as well?
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I can completely understand this. In the UK and Ireland, "spastic" is an insult on the same caliber as other, in my opinion, disgusting excuses for name-calling, like "retard", and in the USA, "dumbass". Words like this are selfish and should not be thought of as scapegoat for bullying or other means of hurt.
If I saw a game calling me "spastic" in the case of Ubisoft's Mind Quiz, I would be insulted, but maybe that's because culturally, I am Irish.
In America, is the word "spastic" an insult, or do you guys not mind this word? I'd be interested to hear your opinion.
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i dont think mario party 8 is that bad of a game. this one has been a decent one since mario party 3 came out
That's not the point of this thread, I've never actually played it though
Wow, that means I have a rare version of the game! O.O
I could call my mother, sister, brother, father, uncle, aunt, girlfirend, or even grandma spastic, and they'd all probably laugh at me. Not only is it nowhere near an insult, but it's actually quite funny considering the degree of other things people could call you. Spastic is hilarious and not even close to insulting. =P
I agree. I have no idea how a word as simple as that can be insulting to anybody.
the way i see it, its doing them a favor. Mario Partys after 4 FTL.
I've never even heard of that word. i have heard of people being called a 'spaz' though, if that means somewhat the same thing. either way its not offencive here in the US
'spaz'
i've never heard that word used offensivly. i've heard ppl say like "He spazzed out" meaning something along the lines of spastic. but its no insult.
'Spaz' is just a shorter term for spastic, and 'spazzed' is also an adjective for spastic.
Wow, that means I have a rare version of the game! O.O
If you live in NA then it's no big deal, but if you're in the UK then yes. I suppose you have to careful what you say when you go to another country.
not just country to country, but with every person. its like how some african-americans use and dont use the n-word. (not an open invitation to quote me)
I knew that, I was referring to to like simple words we use might be offensive somewhere else. Like Elebits was change to Eledees in the UK because bits had a negative meaning.
I knew that, I was referring to to like simple words we use might be offensive somewhere else. Like Elebits was change to Eledees in the UK because bits had a negative meaning.
I thought 'bits' was quite funny actually 
I also have the copy that uses the term "spastic".
Alot of people here in the Uk use that word as an insult, or just as a joke but most people don't really take it offensively. But you do get some strict teacher or adult who thinks its unacceptable.
Its suprising how many people use this word. But spaz is used more, probably because we are lazy and don't bother using spastic.
Like my dad taught me the three things you should never say things about is: religion, race, and polotics. People get very strange about somethings, like sticking up your middle finger or saying you don't believe in god. Technically, you are allowed to do them, but you get yelled at by millions of people. Can i be crazy now?
I still don't understand how it's offensive.
lol. spastic is degrading? it just sounds like a funny word to me
I don't hear that word much over here in the US. However, when I do hear it, it's an adjective with a meaning like "crazy" or "out of control".
We usually shorten it to the word "spaz", which is what we call someone who we think is crazy or weird.
lol hear in the UK as that article says it is a term simply meaning 'retard'.
Now obviously if a retard were playing the game and they failed and got called a 'spaz' by the game then they would be 'upset'.
it is a moderate insult i have to say...