Nintendo Unveils Stunning Donkey Kong Revamp in Latest Console Titles

Nintendo's significant overhaul of Donkey Kong's design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 footage shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 unveiling, is now confirmed across a range of merchandise. For years, Donkey Kong's appearance remained consistent across titles like 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 Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While the updated Donkey Kong design was only briefly seen in the Mario Kart 9 trailer, Nintendo Life highlighted a Reddit post by user cookiemaster221 showcasing new merchandise featuring the redesigned character. The post, titled "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes," sparked considerable discussion.

The merchandise reveals a noticeably friendlier Donkey Kong, with his previously furrowed brow now softened. Commenters on Reddit offered varied opinions. Some likened the change to a "reverse Kirby treatment," noting the shift from an angry to a more relaxed expression. Others expressed nostalgia for the original design, highlighting the previous brow as a key element conveying both kindness and strength. However, several users expressed approval, suggesting the redesign aims for a more playful and less aggressive look.

The merchandise provides a clearer view of the redesign than the fleeting appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive look at the new Donkey Kong in action is anticipated in April during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2.

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, the inclusion of a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and the accuracy of a theory regarding the controller's potential use as a mouse.