Overview

• Donkey Kong's new design will debut in Mario Kart World on June 5 and Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17 for the Nintendo Switch 2.
• The redesign draws from Rare's original Donkey Kong Country artwork and incorporates advanced animation techniques first explored in Jungle Beat.
• Shigeru Miyamoto explained that the redesign prioritizes expressiveness, aiming to modernize the character while respecting its legacy.
• Fans first noticed the updated design in the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie and recent Nintendo marketing materials.
• Kevin Bayliss, the Rare artist behind Donkey Kong's 1990s design, has endorsed the redesign, urging fans to embrace the changes.