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

Nintendo's significant redesign of Donkey Kong, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, is now confirmed across various merchandise. This marks a departure from Donkey Kong's decades-long consistent design, seen in titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. The new look, reminiscent of the character's portrayal in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, has sparked significant discussion among fans.

Reddit user cookiemaster221 shared images of the new merchandise, prompting comments like "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes." The redesign features a noticeably softer appearance, with Donkey Kong's previously furrowed brow now more rounded. Some commenters likened the change to a "reverse Kirby treatment," moving from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor.

While opinions are divided, with some expressing nostalgia for the original design and its conveyance of both kindness and strength, others find the new look "goofy" and less aggressive. The merchandise offers the clearest view of the redesign yet, surpassing the brief and somewhat unclear appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive look at the redesigned Donkey Kong in action is anticipated during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2 in April.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer itself provided limited details about the console's features, primarily showcasing its aesthetic. However, it did confirm backward compatibility, a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and the functionality of the controller as a mouse, aligning with prior speculation.