Nintendo Updates Donkey Kong Character for Switch 2, Mario Kart 9

Nintendo's revamped Donkey Kong design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 footage shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, 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 believe the new look closely resembles his portrayal in the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While the Mario Kart 9 appearance offered a brief preview, Nintendo has unveiled a line of Donkey Kong merchandise showcasing this redesigned character. As highlighted by Nintendo Life, Reddit user cookiemaster221 shared images of these products, commenting, "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes."

The new merchandise reveals a friendlier Donkey Kong, notably with a softened brow. Online comments reflect a mixed reaction. Some users compare the change to a "reverse Kirby treatment," moving from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor. While some express nostalgia for the original design, others find the new look more approachable and less aggressive.

This merchandise provides a clearer view of the redesign than the brief Mario Kart 9 appearance. A more extensive 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 focusing on its aesthetics. However, it did confirm backward compatibility, showcased a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and validated a circulating theory about using the controller as a mouse.