Nintendo's recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's redesign has captured particular attention: Donkey Kong. His appearance seems heavily influenced by the design from The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
While most characters in the Mario Kart 9 trailer appeared unchanged, Donkey Kong's new look is striking. His design has remained consistent across numerous titles for years, including Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a revamped design, and Nintendo appears to be integrating this updated aesthetic into its games.
The brief glimpse of Donkey Kong in the Mario Kart 9 trailer doesn't allow for a thorough comparison, but the differences are already apparent. A more detailed side-by-side comparison will likely be possible after the April Nintendo Direct, showcasing the Nintendo Switch 2. This event will offer a more comprehensive look at the game.
The Switch 2 reveal trailer focused primarily on the console's appearance, but also confirmed backward compatibility, a new button on the Joy-Cons, and the functionality of the controller as a mouse. Although a 2025 release window has been announced, a June launch seems more realistic, given the numerous planned hands-on events with registrations opening soon.
