Nintendo's recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's transformation has captured fans' attention: Donkey Kong. His redesign in Mario Kart 9 bears a striking resemblance to his appearance 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 look, and Nintendo seems to be integrating this updated design into its games.
While the Mario Kart 9 trailer offered only fleeting glimpses of Donkey Kong, the differences in his design are already apparent. A more detailed comparison will be possible once higher-quality footage becomes available, likely during the April Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct. This event will also shed more light on the console itself, hinting at backwards compatibility, new Joy-Con buttons, and the potential use of the controller as a mouse.
Despite a 2025 release window, the Nintendo Switch 2 is unlikely to launch before June, given the numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration opening shortly.
