Nintendo's recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's transformation is generating considerable buzz: Donkey Kong. While most Mario Kart 9 characters appear unchanged, Donkey Kong sports a noticeably redesigned look, seemingly inspired by 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 aesthetic, and Nintendo now seems to be integrating this updated design 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 following the anticipated April Nintendo Direct, which is expected to showcase the Nintendo Switch 2 in greater detail. The console reveal trailer hinted at backward compatibility, a new button on the Joy-Cons, and confirmed a popular theory regarding mouse functionality using the controller.
While a 2025 release window has been announced, the Nintendo Switch 2's arrival is likely to be later, potentially June or beyond, due to numerous planned hands-on events worldwide. Registration for these events is expected to open shortly.
