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 appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, has sparked considerable discussion among fans.

Images of the new merchandise, shared on Reddit by user cookiemaster221 and highlighted by Nintendo Life, showcase a noticeably friendlier Donkey Kong. His previously furrowed brow is now softer and more rounded. Commenters have noted the shift, with some comparing it to a "reverse Kirby treatment," moving from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor.

While opinions are divided, with some expressing nostalgia for the classic design and its conveyance of both strength and kindness, others welcome the change, suggesting it aims for a goofier, less aggressive appearance. The Mario Kart 9 appearance offered only brief, unclear views of the redesigned character. A more comprehensive look is anticipated in April during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer, while primarily showcasing the console's aesthetics, did offer some technical details. It confirmed largely backward compatibility, highlighted a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and validated theories about using the controller as a mouse.