Von Kaiser - Reception - Racial Stereotyping

Racial Stereotyping

Von Kaiser has been noted as a stereotype of German people. Guardian.co.uk described him as a "shamelessly politically incorrect character," citing how he would say to Little Mac "Surrender! Or I will conquer you!" Editor Sumantra Lahiri described Punch-Out!! as giving players "encyclopedic knowledge of ignorant American sentiments," (it should be noted, however, that the Punch Out series is actually developed in Japan, not the United States) stating that Von Kaiser represents the stereotype that Germans are "ultra-militaristic." In discussing the stereotype of Punch-Out!!, GamesRadar editor Brett Elston commented that Von Kaiser embodies several German stereotypes, such as them being "militaristic, goose-stepping nationals obsessed with victory to a fault." He added that his name was stereotypical as well, commenting that he "might as well be Wolfgang von Sauerkraut." He stated that Kaiser was just one step above Glass Joe in the "Punch-Out!! hall of infamy." He adds that Nintendo was "trying to imply he’s a goofy Nazi without actually saying he’s a Nazi. (He actually looks more like a WW1 German national, there is a closer resemblance to Kaiser Wilhelm II than to ANY Nazi figure.) " 1UP.com, in discussing how Soda Popinski was once known as Vodka Drunkenski, jokingly stated that Von Kaiser used to be known as "Greasy Pork Sandwich Served in a Dirty Ashtray." They added that they were "making that last one up, but just barely." In an interview, GamePro Germany brought up the ethnic stereotypes of Punch-Out!!, noting the stereotype of the "ambitious German." They also called him a "mustachioed "Deutschman"," describing him as a disciplined boxer. He added that the only thing missing in his character was a spiked helmet.