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, first 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 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 considerable 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 softened appearance, with Donkey Kong's previously furrowed brow now rounded. Some commenters compared the change to the "Kirby treatment," noting the shift from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor.

While opinions are divided, with some expressing nostalgia for the classic design and its implied blend of kindness and strength, others find the new look "goofy" and less aggressive, aligning with Nintendo's apparent goal. The Mario Kart 9 footage offered only brief and somewhat unclear views of the redesigned character. A more comprehensive look is expected in April during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer, while primarily showcasing the console's aesthetics, also hinted at backward compatibility, a new button on the Joy-Cons, and confirmed the controller's potential use as a mouse, aligning with pre-existing fan theories.