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 unveiling, is now confirmed across a range of merchandise.

Donkey Kong's iconic look, unchanged for decades and featured in titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns, has undergone a transformation. Many believe the new design mirrors the style of the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

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

The merchandise reveals a friendlier Donkey Kong, notably with a softened brow. Commenters on Reddit offered varied opinions. Some likened the change to a "reverse Kirby treatment," shifting from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor. Others expressed nostalgia for the previous design, appreciating its blend of kindness and strength. However, several users expressed approval, suggesting the redesign aims for a more lighthearted, less aggressive appearance.

The merchandise offers a clearer view of the redesign than the brief, somewhat obscured appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive look at the new Donkey Kong in action is anticipated during Nintendo's April Switch 2 focused Nintendo Direct.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer itself offered limited details about the console's features, focusing primarily on its aesthetic. However, it did confirm backward compatibility, showcase a new, unidentified button on the Joy-Cons, and seemingly validate a theory regarding mouse functionality via the controller.