Nintendo has recently unveiled a significant redesign for its legendary character Donkey Kong, sparking both excitement and debate among the gaming community. The new look, which first appeared in the Super Mario Bros animated movie, has now been incorporated into upcoming Switch 2 titles including Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.

Miyamoto's Creative Vision

Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo's legendary developer and the creator of Donkey Kong, recently shared insights about the character's transformation. In an interview promoting Universal's Epic Universe theme park (which features a Donkey Kong Country expansion), Miyamoto revealed that the redesign was primarily focused on enhancing the character's expressiveness.

Miyamoto explained that while the original Donkey Kong Country design was a collaboration with Rare, Nintendo has continually refined the character's appearance since Jungle Beat. The latest iteration represents their most ambitious effort yet to bring more personality and emotion to the beloved ape.

Fan Reactions and Industry Perspectives

The redesign has generated mixed reactions among fans. While some appreciate the more expressive facial animations and body language, others have expressed nostalgia for previous versions. Notably, Donkey Kong Country artist Kevin Bayliss has defended the changes, stating that the new design maintains DK's essence while improving his visual appeal.

Bayliss remarked, "All great things evolve over time. Twenty years from now, we'll likely see another iteration that builds upon this foundation." This perspective highlights Nintendo's philosophy of continuous improvement for its iconic characters.

Donkey Kong's Future on Switch 2

The redesigned Donkey Kong will make his debut in Donkey Kong Bananza, a new action-adventure platformer coming to Nintendo Switch 2. The game promises to showcase the character's enhanced expressiveness through various animations and interactions.

Game details:

• Release Date: July 17, 2025
• ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ (Fantasy Violence)
• Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
• Gameplay: Single-player action-adventure

The game's plot revolves around Donkey Kong's quest to recover stolen golden bananas from the mysterious VoidCo organization, taking players on a journey through diverse underground environments.

Where to Experience the New Donkey Kong

Fans eager to see the redesigned character in action can look forward to:

1. Mario Kart World (Switch 2)
2. Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2)
3. Universal's Epic Universe theme park (Donkey Kong Country expansion)

The digital version of Donkey Kong Bananza will be available through Nintendo's official store at launch.