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

Nintendo's overhaul of Donkey Kong's design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 unveiling, is now fully in view. The iconic ape's long-standing visual identity, unchanged for decades and featured in titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns, has undergone a significant transformation. Many believe the new look bears a striking resemblance to Donkey Kong's portrayal in the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While the redesigned Donkey Kong was initially only seen in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo has since unveiled a line of merchandise showcasing the updated character design. As highlighted by Nintendo Life, user cookiemaster221 shared images of these products on Reddit, commenting, "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes."

History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes
by u/cookiemaster221 in donkeykong

The merchandise reveals a friendlier Donkey Kong, notably with a softened brow replacing his previously furrowed expression. Online reactions are mixed. Some commenters, like SmallBlueSlime, noted the shift towards a more relaxed demeanor, comparing it to a reverse "Kirby treatment." Others expressed nostalgia for the original design, appreciating its blend of kindness and strength. However, several fans voiced approval of the new, less angry, and arguably more playful appearance.

This recent merchandise reveal offers a more detailed look at the redesign than the brief and somewhat unclear appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive showcase of 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 only a few glimpses of the console's features, primarily focusing on its aesthetic. However, it did confirm largely backwards compatibility, showcased a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and seemingly validated a circulating theory regarding the controller's potential use as a mouse.