Nintendo's recent reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's redesign has captured fans' attention: Donkey Kong. While most characters in the Mario Kart 9 trailer looked familiar, Donkey Kong's appearance is noticeably different.
For years, Donkey Kong's design remained consistent across various titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a revamped design, and Nintendo seems to be integrating this updated look into its games.
This Nintendo Direct is expected to provide further insight into the Nintendo Switch 2, beyond the initial reveal trailer which focused primarily on its aesthetic. The trailer confirmed backward compatibility, showcased a new button on the Joy-Cons, and seemingly validated the theory about using the controller as a mouse.
While a 2025 release window has been announced, the Nintendo Switch 2 is unlikely to launch before June, given the numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration opening shortly.