forza-horizon-5-coming-to-ps5-should-signal-the-opening-of-the-floodgates
The Evolution of Donkey Kong Could Signal Big Changes for the Beloved Series
The Donkey Kong franchise has been in a state of dormancy for quite some time. While the iconic ape continues to make guest appearances in Nintendo’s biggest titles—like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate—his own series has been largely neglected. The last original mainline entry, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, was released exclusively on the Wii U in 2014, with only a Switch port following in 2018. Since then, new Donkey Kong content has been scarce, limited to remasters and spin-offs.
With Nintendo focusing on its other flagship franchises, the future of Donkey Kong remains uncertain. Retro Studios, the developer behind the last few Donkey Kong Country games, is fully engaged with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, making a return to Donkey Kong unlikely in the near future. Furthermore, most mainline Donkey Kong titles have already been ported to the Switch, leaving few major releases left to remaster. While a new installment is inevitable, it’s becoming clear that the next Donkey Kong game may look quite different from its predecessors, thanks in part to a major redesign.
A New Look for Donkey Kong in Mario Kart 9
Nintendo recently unveiled the long-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 alongside a first look at the next Mario Kart installment, unofficially referred to as Mario Kart 9. While the game retains a visual style reminiscent of its predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, subtle character redesigns have caught the attention of fans. One of the most noticeable changes? Donkey Kong’s new look.
In Mario Kart 9, Donkey Kong appears far more expressive and cartoonish than before. His usual furrowed brow and determined expression have been replaced with rounder eyes, a bulkier frame, and a more playful demeanor. This new design bears a striking resemblance to the Donkey Kong seen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie rather than his traditional video game counterpart. This shift signals that Nintendo may be redefining Donkey Kong’s image across all of its future projects.
Nintendo’s Commitment to Donkey Kong’s Redesign
The modern design of Donkey Kong, first introduced in Donkey Kong Country (1994) by Rare and artist Kevin Bayless, has remained largely unchanged for decades. However, Nintendo now seems to be moving away from this classic iteration. Observant fans have noticed that recent Donkey Kong merchandise also features the redesigned version of the character rather than his classic look, suggesting that this new design is here to stay.
While some longtime fans may be resistant to the change, it’s clear that Nintendo is committed to this new direction for Donkey Kong. The redesign aligns more closely with the aesthetics of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was a massive box office success. Given how well-received the film was, it makes sense for Nintendo to unify its brand identity across its games and multimedia ventures.
The Future of Donkey Kong Games on Nintendo Switch 2
Given Donkey Kong’s prominence in Nintendo’s roster, it’s highly likely that he will appear in multiple titles on the upcoming Switch 2. Industry insiders have even hinted at a new 3D Donkey Kong game in development for the console. If true, this would mark the first full-fledged 3D Donkey Kong experience since Donkey Kong 64 (1999).
Even if these rumors don’t materialize, one thing is almost certain: the next mainline Donkey Kong game will embrace this new character design. Whether it’s a fresh Donkey Kong Country installment or a bold, new take on the franchise, Nintendo appears to be paving the way for a reinvention of one of its oldest and most beloved characters.
With this shift in design and potential new gameplay innovations, Donkey Kong could be entering an exciting new chapter. Fans may have to wait a bit longer for his return, but when he does, he’ll likely look—and possibly play—like never before.