Nintendo Goes All In on Donkey Kong Redesign Seen in Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 First Look

Nintendo is embracing a significant redesign of Donkey Kong, first glimpsed by fans in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement.

Donkey Kong's iconic design, unchanged for decades and featured in titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns, is undergoing a transformation. Many believe the new look mirrors the style of the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While initially only seen in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo has unveiled merchandise featuring this updated Donkey Kong design. As highlighted by Nintendo Life, Reddit user cookiemaster221 shared images of these products, commenting, "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes."

The new design presents a friendlier Donkey Kong, notably softening his previously furrowed brow. Online reactions are mixed. Some commenters see a resemblance to Kirby's design, describing the change as making Donkey Kong "chill" instead of angry. Others express nostalgia for the original, more intense expression, appreciating its blend of kindness and strength. However, many are accepting of the change, suggesting it aims for a more playful and less aggressive appearance.

The merchandise offers a clearer view of the redesign than the brief, somewhat obscured appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive look at the new Donkey Kong in action is anticipated in April during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer itself offered limited details about the console's features, primarily focusing on its visual design. However, it did confirm backward compatibility, showcased a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and validated a circulating theory about using the controller as a mouse.

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