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 various 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.
Initially seen only briefly in Mario Kart 9, the new Donkey Kong design is now featured on a range of merchandise, as highlighted by Reddit user cookiemaster221 on Nintendo Life. The updated look softens his previously furrowed brow, giving him a friendlier, more approachable appearance. Online comments express a mixed reaction; some lament the loss of his signature stern expression, while others welcome the "Kirby-esque" transformation, suggesting it aims for a more jovial and less aggressive portrayal.
The merchandise offers a clearer view of the redesign than the fleeting appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive look at the redesigned Donkey Kong in action is anticipated in April during a Nintendo Direct dedicated to the Switch 2.
The Switch 2 reveal trailer itself focused primarily on the console's aesthetics, but also confirmed key features: largely backwards compatible game library, Joy-Cons with a new, currently unannounced button, and controller functionality resembling a mouse.
