Donkey Kong has surprise new look in Switch 2’s Mario Kart 9 reveal

In the unveiling footage for Mario Kart 9 on the Nintendo Switch 2, Donkey Kong appears quite distinct from his traditional gaming image due to a facelift.

Additionally, along with Nintendo unveiling the first glimpses of the Switch 2, another major topic of discussion in the trailer revolved around the announcement of an upcoming Mario Kart installment.

As a die-hard gamer, I’ve been buzzing with excitement about Mario Kart 9 ever since it was first announced – a long-awaited sequel since 2014! Ever since, fans have been tossing around theories that it could be the biggest installment yet, potentially accommodating up to 24 racers in one thrilling race. The buzz about new maps, power-ups, and features is palpable. I can hardly wait to get behind the wheel of this new racer!

Nintendo has announced the Switch 2

— TopMob (@TopMob) January 16, 2025

Though the majority of reactions to Mario Kart 9’s unveiling have been favorable, there’s been a surprising twist that’s caught many off guard: the unveiling of Donkey Kong’s fresh makeover, leaving fans astonished with their initial glimpse.

In the realm of video games, particularly the iconic Mario series, Donkey Kong is a timeless and cherished figure who’s as familiar as the family pet for many gamers. For those who enjoy the thrill of racing in Mario Kart, he’s their preferred racer. His recent redesign deviates from his usual appearance but echoes his look from the Super Mario Bros. movie.

In the Super Mario Bros. movie, Donkey Kong’s appearance aligns more closely with reality, while his facial features seem to have been modeled after those seen in the iconic, groundbreaking animated film.

Donkey Kong’s new Super Mario Bros. movie-inspired redesign

Fans swiftly noticed the modifications in Donkey Kong’s appearance, prompting numerous individuals to express their opinions about the fresh design on social media platforms.

One user on the former Twitter platform commented that the updated Donkey Kong design in the new Mario Kart has made them realize just how unusual the old DK’s banana-shaped eyebrow shape is.

Donkey Kong has been redesigned for the new #MarioKart 🏁

Looks more like the movie version 🦍

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) January 16, 2025

Some people are really enjoying the remake since it feels like classic Donkey Kong, but others aren’t as thrilled. One X user exclaimed, “Absolutely not, they Disneyfied him!” Others have been asking, “What on earth have they changed about my favorite character?

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled about the upcoming Mario Kart 9 on Switch 2. It seems like only Donkey Kong among the beloved Mario characters has undergone a revamp for this new edition, and I can’t wait to see how his updated design will affect gameplay!

However, with a better look at the game expected in the coming months, this could very well change.

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2025-01-18 01:21