Donkey Kong Gets Modernized in Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 Sneak Peek

Nintendo's significant overhaul of Donkey Kong's design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, is now confirmed through newly unveiled merchandise.

For years, Donkey Kong's appearance remained consistent across various titles, including Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, Nintendo is embracing a new aesthetic, reminiscent of the character's design in 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 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. Reddit comments ranged from comparisons to Kirby's design ("They're giving him the Kirby treatment, but backwards," noted SmallBlueSlime) to expressions of both nostalgia and acceptance of the change. Some users expressed fondness for the original, more serious look, while others welcomed the potentially "goofy" and less "angry" new interpretation.

The merchandise provides a clearer view of the redesign than the brief, somewhat obscured 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, scheduled for April.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer itself offered limited details about the console's features, primarily showcasing its visual design. However, it did confirm backward compatibility, a new, unidentifiable button on the Joy-Cons, and the accuracy of a theory regarding mouse functionality using the controller.