Mario Kart 9 Character Redesign Inspired by Super Mario Bros. Movie

Nintendo has finally unveiled the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, and with it, the exciting release of Mario Kart 9. Fans were quick to notice a significant redesign of one character, Donkey Kong, which seems to be inspired by his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The trailer for Mario Kart 9 showcased over a dozen characters, most of which appeared as fans expected. However, Donkey Kong's new look caught everyone's attention. For years, even decades, Donkey Kong's design has remained consistent across various games such as Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a fresh take on his appearance, and it appears Nintendo is now integrating this updated design into its new titles.

Only a brief glimpse of Mario Kart 9 was shared, with Donkey Kong appearing in just a few scenes, and not in great detail. As such, a more comprehensive comparison of the designs will have to wait. Fans can look forward to a more in-depth look during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct scheduled for April. This event will likely provide clearer visuals and further insights into the redesign.

The console reveal trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 offered tantalizing hints about the new hardware, focusing primarily on its aesthetics. It confirmed that the system will be mostly backwards compatible, and introduced a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons. There's also a theory that the controller can be used as a mouse, which seems to be confirmed by the trailer.

Although the Nintendo Switch 2 was announced with a 2025 release window, it's unlikely to hit the market before June of that year. This is due to numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration for these events opening soon.