Nintendo's recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's makeover has caught the eye of fans: Donkey Kong. His redesign appears heavily influenced by his look in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
While most characters in the Mario Kart 9 trailer appeared unchanged, Donkey Kong's new design is strikingly different from his established look in games like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. The movie's successful reimagining of the character seems to have inspired this updated visual style.
Although a 2025 release window has been announced, the Nintendo Switch 2 is unlikely to launch before June due to numerous planned hands-on events worldwide, with registration opening shortly.
