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

Nintendo's significant overhaul of Donkey Kong's design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, is now confirmed across a range of merchandise. For years, Donkey Kong's appearance remained consistent across titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, Nintendo is embracing a new aesthetic, reminiscent of the character's design in the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While the updated Donkey Kong design was initially only seen briefly in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo Life highlighted a Reddit post by cookiemaster221 showcasing new merchandise featuring the redesigned character. The post, titled "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes," sparked considerable discussion.

The merchandise reveals a noticeably friendlier Donkey Kong, with his previously furrowed brow now softened. Commenters on Reddit offered varied opinions. Some compared the change to Kirby's design, suggesting a shift from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor. Others expressed nostalgia for the original design, highlighting the expressive power of his signature furrowed brow. However, many accepted the redesign, speculating that the goal was to create a more playful and less intimidating appearance.

The merchandise provides a more detailed look at the redesign than the fleeting appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive unveiling of the new Donkey Kong is expected in April during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2.

That same Switch 2 reveal trailer offered limited glimpses of the console's features, emphasizing its visual design. It did, however, confirm backward compatibility, showcase a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and validate fan theories regarding the controller's potential use as a mouse.