Nintendo's recent reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's redesign is generating significant buzz: Donkey Kong. While most characters in the Mario Kart 9 trailer appeared unchanged, Donkey Kong boasts a noticeably different look, seemingly inspired by his design in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
For years, Donkey Kong's design remained consistent across various titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a revamped aesthetic, and Nintendo appears to be integrating this updated look into its games.
Although the Mario Kart 9 trailer offered only fleeting glimpses of Donkey Kong, the differences are already apparent. A more detailed comparison will be possible once higher-quality footage emerges, perhaps during the April Nintendo Direct accompanying the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal. This event will likely provide further insights into the new console, hinting at backward compatibility, a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and confirming the controller's potential use as a mouse.
While a 2025 release window has been announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, a June launch seems more realistic, given the numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration opening imminently.
