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

Nintendo's revamped Donkey Kong design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, is now confirmed across a range of merchandise. This marks a significant departure from the character's decades-long established look, seen in titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. The new design, reminiscent of the character's portrayal in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, features a noticeably softer, more rounded brow, replacing his previously furrowed expression.

The redesign was first highlighted by Reddit user cookiemaster221, who shared images of the new merchandise. Online reaction has been mixed. Some fans express nostalgia for the original, more serious Donkey Kong, noting the iconic furrowed brow contributed to his simultaneously kind and strong persona. Others welcome the change, suggesting the new design aims for a more playful and less aggressive aesthetic – a "Kirby treatment in reverse," as one commenter put it.

While Mario Kart 9 offered only brief, somewhat unclear views of the redesigned Donkey Kong, the new merchandise provides a clearer picture. A more extensive showcase is anticipated in April during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer itself was light on specific details about the console's capabilities, primarily focusing on its visual appeal. However, it did confirm backward compatibility with existing Switch titles, showcased a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and seemingly validated fan theories regarding the controller's potential use as a mouse.