The Future of Donkey Kong: What to Expect From the Next Game
With Nintendo's Changing Direction, Donkey Kong's Next Adventure Might Look Very Different
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The Donkey Kong franchise has been in a quiet period for quite some time. While the beloved ape regularly makes appearances in popular Nintendo titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the franchise itself has been largely absent from the spotlight. The most recent mainline title, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, launched exclusively on the Wii U in 2014, with little new content following it outside of remakes, remasters, and spin-offs.
Nintendo has since shifted focus to other major franchises, leaving the future of Donkey Kong's own series somewhat uncertain. Retro Studios, the team behind the recent Donkey Kong Country titles, is currently deep in development with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, so it's unlikely that the studio will return to the ape anytime soon. With many of Donkey Kong's previous games already available on the Nintendo Switch, it seems that the next installment in the series, whenever it arrives, will likely be quite different from past titles—especially with one major change on the horizon.
A Fresh Look for Donkey Kong in Mario Kart 9
A significant shift in Donkey Kong's appearance became evident in the recent announcement of Mario Kart 9, which revealed a fresh take on several classic characters, including the iconic ape. While Donkey Kong's design has largely remained unchanged since its debut in Donkey Kong Country back in 1994, the new Mario Kart 9 features a notably different look. Gone is the gruff, intense version of Donkey Kong; instead, fans are greeted with a more cheerful, silly iteration of the character. With a rounder face, close-set eyes, and a bulkier build, the updated Donkey Kong resembles the animated version from The Super Mario Bros. Movie more than his previous video game appearances.
A Shift Toward the New Design
Though Donkey Kong’s original design, created by Rare’s Kevin Bayless, remains an enduring classic, it appears that Nintendo is moving toward this lighter, more playful version of the character. Fans have noticed that recent Donkey Kong-themed merchandise also embraces this updated design, further suggesting that this new look might become the new norm for the character. While some long-time fans may feel disappointed by the change, it’s clear that Nintendo is doubling down on the new aesthetic, particularly in Mario Kart 9.
What This Means for Donkey Kong’s Future
With Mario Kart 9 signaling a shift in Donkey Kong’s visual direction, it’s likely that future titles will continue using this updated version of the character. Industry insiders hint that Nintendo may be working on a new 3D Donkey Kong game for the Nintendo Switch 2, marking the first mainline 3D entry since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. Whether these rumors hold true or not, it's nearly certain that the next major Donkey Kong game will adopt this refreshed look, steering the franchise into a new era of design and gameplay.
As the Donkey Kong series evolves, fans can expect the beloved ape to sport a new appearance and possibly new adventures, as Nintendo pushes the character into the future with an updated identity. While it may take some time for the next Donkey Kong game to emerge, when it does, it will likely be a drastic departure from the series' previous installments.