"Mario Kart 9 Character Redesigned Due to Super Mario Bros. Movie Influence"

Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, and with it comes the much-anticipated Mario Kart 9. Fans have been quick to spot a significant redesign of one character in particular, seemingly influenced by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The trailer showcased over a dozen characters, and while most appeared as expected, Donkey Kong caught everyone's attention with his new look.

For years, even decades, Donkey Kong's design has remained consistent across various titles like 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 is now integrating into their games.

The trailer for Mario Kart 9 offered just a fleeting glimpse, with Donkey Kong appearing in only a few scenes and not in great detail. It will be some time before fans can truly compare the new design with the old, but the difference is already striking. A more detailed reveal is expected during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct in April.

The console reveal trailer hinted at the Nintendo Switch 2's features, focusing primarily on its aesthetics. It confirmed that the hardware will be mostly backwards compatible, the Joy-Cons will include a mysterious new button, and a theory about using the controller as a mouse seems to be accurate.

Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has been announced with a 2025 release window, it's unlikely to hit the market before June. This delay is due to numerous hands-on events scheduled worldwide, with registration for these events opening soon.