Nintendo's recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's makeover has particularly caught fans' attention: Donkey Kong. His new design 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, including 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 aesthetic into its games.
The Mario Kart 9 trailer offered only fleeting glimpses of Donkey Kong, making a detailed comparison challenging. Nevertheless, the differences in his design are already apparent.
A more thorough comparison will likely emerge during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct in April. The console reveal trailer, while hinting at the Switch 2's appearance, also confirmed backward compatibility, a new button on the Joy-Cons, and the controller's potential use as a mouse.
Although a 2025 release window has been announced, the Nintendo Switch 2's launch is more likely to occur in June or later, given the numerous planned hands-on events with registration opening shortly.
