The Super Mario Bros. Movie Appears to Have Influenced a Major Mario Kart 9 Character's Redesign

Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, and with it comes the much-anticipated Mario Kart 9. Fans were quick to notice a significant redesign of one character in particular, seemingly inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The trailer showcased over a dozen characters, but it was Donkey Kong who caught everyone's attention with his new look.

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. However, the blockbuster success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a fresh take on his appearance, which Nintendo now seems eager to integrate into its gaming universe.

The trailer for Mario Kart 9 offered only a fleeting glimpse of the game, with Donkey Kong appearing in just a few scenes and not in great detail. As such, a comprehensive comparison of his new design will have to wait. Fans can look forward to a more detailed reveal during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct scheduled for April. This event promises to shed more light on the new console and its games.

The console reveal trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 provided tantalizing hints about the new hardware. It confirmed that the system will be mostly backwards compatible, introduced a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and lent credence to the theory that the controller can be used as a mouse.

While the release window for the Nintendo Switch 2 is set for 2025, it's unlikely to hit the shelves before June. This is due to the numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration opening soon.