Nintendo's revamped Donkey Kong design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, is now getting a full rollout. The iconic ape, sporting the same design for decades across titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns, is undergoing a significant visual overhaul. Many fans believe the new look mirrors the character's successful portrayal in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
While the redesigned Donkey Kong was initially only seen in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo has unveiled a line of merchandise featuring this new design. As highlighted by Nintendo Life, Reddit user cookiemaster221 shared images of these products, commenting, "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes."
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The merchandise reveals a friendlier Donkey Kong, notably with a softened brow. Online comments reflect a mixed reaction. Some users express nostalgia for the original, more serious expression, while others welcome the change, suggesting it aims for a more playful and less aggressive appearance. One user aptly summarized the sentiment: "They're giving him the Kirby treatment, but backwards...Instead of making him angry, they're making him chill."
This merchandise provides a clearer view of the redesign than the brief, somewhat obscured appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more extensive look at the new Donkey Kong in action is expected 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 confirmed backward compatibility, a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and validated a circulating theory about using the controller as a mouse.
