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 across a range of merchandise. The iconic ape, sporting the same design for decades across titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns, is getting a makeover reminiscent of his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
While the updated design was initially only seen briefly in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo Life highlighted a Reddit post by user cookiemaster221 showcasing new merchandise featuring the redesigned Donkey Kong. The new look softens his traditionally furrowed brow, creating a more approachable, less severe expression. Commenters on Reddit expressed mixed reactions, with some comparing the change to a "reverse Kirby treatment," noting the shift from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor. While some lamented the loss of his signature intense eyebrow, others welcomed the "goofy" and less angry aesthetic.
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 revamped Donkey Kong in action is expected in April during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2.
The Switch 2 reveal trailer, while primarily showcasing the console's design, offered several key details: backward compatibility with existing games, a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and confirmation of the controller's potential use as a mouse.
