Nintendo Unveils Donkey Kong Redesign for Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9

Nintendo has taken a bold step by revamping Donkey Kong's design, which was first spotted by fans during the gameplay reveal of Mario Kart 9 at the Nintendo Switch 2 event. For years, even decades, Donkey Kong has sported the same iconic look across various titles including Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, the new design seems to draw inspiration from the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie, marking a significant shift in the character's appearance.

While the redesign was initially only seen in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo has now expanded it to a range of Donkey Kong merchandise. As reported by Nintendo Life, user cookiemaster221 shared images of the new products on Reddit, stating, "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes." The new merchandise showcases Donkey Kong with a friendlier appearance, most notably with a rounded brow that replaces his traditional furrowed one.

History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes
byu/cookiemaster221 indonkeykong

The redesign has sparked a variety of reactions among fans. SmallBlueSlime commented, "They're giving him the Kirby treatment, but backwards. Instead of making him angry, they're making him chill." Another user noted, "They really are dead set on redesigning DK," while someone else expressed nostalgia, saying, "I'm gonna miss that eyebrow looking down. Always made DK seem both kind and strong." However, some fans are warming up to the change, with one stating, "It's alright in my opinion. They probably did it to make him look more goofy and less angry."

Since the brief glimpse in Mario Kart 9, where Donkey Kong appeared in just a few scenes, fans have been eager for a clearer view. They won't have to wait long, as an extended look at the character in action is expected during the Nintendo Direct in April, which will focus on the Nintendo Switch 2.

The console reveal trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 offered only a few hints about the new hardware, emphasizing its appearance. It confirmed that the Switch 2 will be mostly backwards compatible, and introduced a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons. Additionally, a theory about using the controller as a mouse appears to be accurate, adding to the excitement surrounding the upcoming console.