Poll: What Do You Think Of Donkey Kong's Redesign In Mario Kart 9?

I really don't like it. I like what I've seen from the other characters, but not him. I am a huge fan of DK (specifically from the country games) so it's sad to see him become his arcade/movie self instead of his DKC look, which is what he's had in the previous Mario Kart titles.

Hopefully they fix it by release

It's brilliant to see his design resemble the older DK design and the 2D mario artwork more closely. Whilst I was fine with the normal design, there was always something that felt off to me about it, no idea why. Hopefully this new one is more likely to stay from now on.

Hopefully it’s a new character Young Cranky Kong instead of DK. Looks definitely goofier than DK.

I don't mind if they stick to the retro aesthetic, but I don't want the "Nintendo cinematic universe" or whatever they have in store to spill over into the games. They ought to stick to their respective lanes.

Looks fine to me. Most likely matches the style they are aiming for more then the otginal. They wouldn't just change a iconic style so easily, If not with a good reason.

I like the classic look. It looks like all the characters are going to a very expressive models.

I'm not a fan of the character whatsoever but I like this design better, personally. Maybe I'll even use him once or twice now.

What would be good is if we get to choose from classic and modern designs. Really hoping we get some other classic Nintendo characters with corresponding tracks like Kirby.

Left: how it started
Right: how it's going

Tanuki Donkey kong.

Maybe they will have alternate versions? Maybe like a unlockable where you can have DK in mk8 or old (new?) version of DK

I'm fine with the DK's design. I'm just a little unimpressed with how the game looks. I was expecting a seismic leap in graphics comparable to MKWii to MK8. I'll hold my judgement until April 2 though. Perhaps that was just a tech demo to give some clues, like 24 player racing and wide open tracks.

I grew up with Rare DK rather than Arcade DK, so it’ll take some adjustment. I can live with it, but I kinda hope it’s not going to be his look for now on. It’s definitely a whiplash while playing Donkey Kong Country Returns at the moment.

Like others have said, maybe it’s just an alternate skin or costume, and I’d feel better about it if that’s the case.

I don't like it to be fair, he seems to have lost his charm...
Maybe I just don't like change, but it's a step backwards in my view.
I can see why they have done it because of the film, but I'm not a fan.

To be honest... I don't.😅 My acquaintance with his entire franchise remains shamefully superficial.

As I have said before, this new design is not Donkey Kong. This is not my DK.

I think the designs allow for a lot more facial animations and expressions.

We will likely see much more movement in the actual karts from the characters. Giving more life to the game.

there is a major risk of the Nintendo IP undergoing the Hollywood Pixar'isation of its characters.that is gonna make them more 'universal' but duller and lame in that way Pixar/contemporary animation graphics tend to look. They should stay closer to a Japanese character and not embrace this modern movie animation look. Not everything should look like an American movie.

It is truly bizarre that they would release Returns yet again, without adding the DK redesign.
Surely the perfect opportunity for it.

Really like the round and goofy new look! Current DK kinda looks like Dan Acroyd in Ghostbusters …

I know I'll come round to it once I've seen him in motion a bit more

Synergy with the recent movie makes sense. I'll get used to it.

@Uncle_Franklin Why is that bizarre? It's an HD port of a Wii game while MK9 is a new game from the ground up. It would be a waste of resources to put that much time into a model for an old game coming out on the tail end of the Switch 1's lifespan.

Meh, just meh. I couldn’t care less.

You sure it's DK? Who says there isnt a white tank top behind those hands and therefore DK Jr?

EDIT: ok looked back at the footage, damn it UGLY just like the console

He looks like he'd make for a better plush toy, and a worse platforming protagonist. Mario's general style seems to be taking more inspiration from the earlier games' illustrations lately, so it's not terribly surprising, but it is an odd choice unless that character design is going to show up somewhere else as well.

I fell in love with the Donkey Kong games starting with the original DKC, so I'll always prefer Rare's design. This is therefor a big, fat no for me.

With such a strabismus, it might be not safe anymore to drive a kart.

It looks like to me that there will be more than one DK model in the game. They may have the models from the Mario movie which would make sense to advertise the movie again somewhat.

On his hunt for bananas one day, DK stumbled across a very special kind of toad. He unknowingly licked it.
The next thing he knew he was in a go kart, racing against a bunch of strangers with no memory of how he got there...

So Nintendolife staff missed the memo where Nintendo classifies Mario Kart Tour as its own entry therefore would make this Mario Kart 10.

I think it looks absolutely hideous. Gives me the same vibes Sega's weird insistence on pushing the classic Amy design does of just like, "The character stopped looking like this for a reason, this is awful."

Doesn't help at all that yeah, it does look like the movie and that's just a giant pile of, "I want no part of this in my life, ever, please don't," in the first place.

@Porky just because its its own entry doesnt make it MK9. from what i see it is just MK Tour. nothing stops MK9 being the next game just because there was MKTour between 8 and 9

I hate it. Sorry not sorry. The movie design was awful and this is awful.

It's fine by me. DK will always be DK as long as he's wearing a tie.

Personally, I think every character should now just be based on the movie designs, which are so far the peak for all the Mario stuff imo. There's a reason it made over 1.3 billion dollars at the box office.

Maybe this is not DK, but the return of DK Junior. You know, the ORIGINAL character in Super Mario Kart.

@Smithicus It already happened. Nintendo walks in the footsteps of Disney/Marvel, whose productions don't even look "american" but "global".

Wait, what if there were skins for the characters that allowed us to choose their own retro versions? A blond Pauline, Mario with a pixel look (or inverted clothes colors at least)...?

I wish there are even more characters and guests from third-party games. It's time for Sonic to appear in the franchise.

Anyway, it's about time to have a new Donkey Kong game. Really new. 40th anniversary was a missed opportunity for a game that people say saved Nintendo. I'd love a new title in DK '94 spirit: a remake of the legendary 4 first stages and dozens of stages completely new after that.

@RenanKJ it's honestly look more like a grown up DK Jr. than anything else to me.

Maybe it will ends up being DK, but I think people are jumping to conclusion here.

I think it points to a new Donkey Kong in that style in the not too distant future. As does the weird timing of the DKC returns port.

I also think it seems a welcome shift towards classic Kong and that it’s too early to claim it as hideous based on brief glimpses with 1st gen webcam fidelity. Let’s all just chill till we’ve seen the big chimp front row and center, yeah?

@DripDropCop146

Might have justified the price a bit more.

I think the DKC design look better than the old style design in my opinion.

I think this is DK's happy face. He just enjoy the race.

@Smithicus I think it’s more likely 8Deluxe was internally referenced as the 9th mainline console game which means next up could be 10. But what about Live Circuit I hear you say? Yes indeed. And the arcade versions? Oh now, it’s getting messy. Whatever, they are finally getting ready to lift the lid on a new console version! Whoop!

Looks like he’s enjoining the engine vibrations being felt by his “Banana Split”…

More muppet-like, which for that character it works. Never really liked the normal DK design I’ll admit

Would bet on that he's going to be in the next 3D Mario maybe he will be the villain

I love it! Gives me retro vibes.

I don't really see much of a difference, it's still identifiably DK. Looks fine. Non issue.

I never really liked the Rare design of DK, it was fine but he just always looked angry for no reason, I like the new design way more

Maybe it's intentional that they try to evoke the early designs. I noticed Mario seems to be based on his Mario Wonder design, which makes me think of his SNES days, and something about Peach also makes me think of her SNES days.

So maybe DK looking like the movie seems to align with the idea.

The DKC look is stale, let the guy have a refresh. I'm all for multiple versions of DK existing concurrently. I wish more characters had that going on with different looks across different games if only to switch it up.

This is NOT the new Mario Kart. They needed something to show and a quick Mario Kart clip was deemed best because of character recognition and familiarity. They changed the heads so it could easily be read from a distance that this is Mario.

So why on earth would you make a Mario Kart 9 page as if it’s been announced?

@Sylamp Same, the new design feels more 'Nintendo' to me.

I like it. He looks funny.

I mean, sure, but I really want a better look at my boy. I wonder if that means Diddy and co will get a redesign too. I really love Diddy... so I don't have a lot of good faith, since I don't really think this is an upgrade from what I've seen. But the jury's still out, I guess.

DK' s new look is kinda cute in a derpy way.
I'm fine with either.

@Smithicus But using your logic Mario Kart 64 wasn't number two? Double Dash wasn't number four? The games weren't numbered until 7

It brings back the memories of Donkey Kong 94 for Gameboy and DK Jr. from Super Mario Kart on SNES, and I see that as an absolute plus.
But it is the design of other characters as well that really trigger my nostalgia button.
Mario looks very much like his design in Mario Kart 64.

Looks like crap. Rare nailed it with the DKC series, and the new movie-inspired design is repulsive.

My tinfoil hat is on and has me thinking more Donkey Kong content is on the way with a new, in house vision from Nintendo. It seems weird to me that you would drastically redesign a character simply for a spin off.

Yeah it's definitely not the movie design. The movie design is pretty close to the dkc one. It's just slightly adapted to be more animation friendly just like Mario was.

To me as some others have said it's more of a throwback to old-school DK with a goofier look and rounder body shape. It's pretty cool in that sense and it's sort of a throwback to DK jr from the first MK also.

Look more like he used to!

The King Dedede redesign was worse I think.

As long as he doesn't sound like Seth Rogen.

I really don't like the new design for DK looks closer to film and video games and film are completely different one another what next Princess Peach redesign next?

@OorWullie
I get ppl are excited for a new Mario Kart entry but this looked so underwhelming. Not sure what ppl are gushing over..this LOOKS like the same Wii U game we’ve been playing for over a decade now. I’m hoping it’s not the final build as well and the April Direct shows a better looking version cuz that was pretty lacklustre in the reveal

Only good thing about the 10 seconds of mario kart 2016 we saw

DKC DK looks friendly.
This DK....it could go either way. He will either be nice to me or maybe he wants to eat me. I can't tell.

@RetroGames
Just because it made money doesn't mean it is good ...

@Smithicus Nintendo acknowledged Mario Kart Tour as a main series title in their infographic during the MK8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, making it Mario Kart 9. People don't have to like it, but it's the fundamental truth.

You probably don't remember or weren't scrolling through fourms back 15 - 20 years ago, but there was an ongoing debate over whether or not Mario Kart Super Circuit and DS are mainline entries because an artificial reason given that they were on handheld; similarly to the Mario Party handheld entries. Then came along Mario Kart 3DS bestowed with a number as its subtitle then the debate was over & forgotten. The Mario Kart Tour mainline entry discourse has the same energy.

@Spider-Kev The Super Mario Bros. Movie is one of the best cg animated movies ever made imo, and practically perfect for the audience it's aimed at. And I think that's one of the key reasons for its absolutely stunning success at the box office. Now, you can disagree all you want, and I will just disagree with you. And outside of opinions, the amazing box office speaks measurable volumes. It's that simple.

@PikminMarioKirby I agree with you on this, and also what makes it sadder is that I love the rest of Rare's family; Diddy, Funky and Dixie being available in other Mario Kart games. Nintendo has officially got rid of them all. Rest assured that we'll get a dozen babies and maybe Metal and Pink Gold clones.

I'm not fussed to be honest. If I had to choose between this design and the normal design, I'd definitely pick the latter however I think an interesting move would be to have movie DK and game DK both playable.

I'd imagine this could be the route the new Sonic racing game will take too considering the name, the worlds of the games and the movies collide so you'd be able to play for example as game Shadow and movie Shadow.

truth to be told, donkey Kong classic design have always been weird and awful... we just have got used to it and come to love it....

Going to have to see all these new designs animated before I judge them. If it's fun, then it's fun.

It's fine - I like that they're leaning more into the Kotabe/Nakaue style(It's not based on the movie, the movie was based on them), but I do think it's missing the more aggressive qualities I liked about the previous design - namely the more neutral/angry brow, which gave him this powerful and determined look.

I don't like it at all, he just looks stupid now.

I really don’t like it, he looks so goofy

I think it's great. It reminds me of the slight Mario Wonder redesigns, which I loved.

I think it’s finally time to go the “Classic Sonic” route and just have “Classic DK” and DK co-exist. Call him Retro DK, let’s be honest Nintendo doesn’t want to try to figure out how to handle DK Jr at this point.

Seems wrong to me currently.
But I am happy to be convinced once I've seen how they showcase his personality with animations.

Not a fan, but I get that this is moreso them going for a redesign based on the original 1980’s design for some bizarre reason (even though that is really Kranky Kong).

I also understand confirmatory for publicity and reselling... But the movie designs were a huge step down overall (but that’s more an Illumination adaption issue than a Nintendo thing, even though they signed off on it).

If we’re going for new designs all around? Sure. Mario Wonder was very cool and trippy Mario-Esque stuff that conforms and extends to how we see the world already, follow the magic.

If they are trying to gradually move everything into the movieverse then I don’t really want to know. I’d keep the game universe as far away from the movie designs as possible. Nintendo do not need to be referencing or taking notes from a company like Illumination.

It kinda looks like he switched party drugs. He was already taking some, and the ones he is on now have a slightly different effect.

If they're going with this design for DK in the games where he's a guest character, then they're going to have to make a new Donkey Kong game with this art style.

I think the new DK design looks hideous.

@Rainz Yeah it didn't impress. YouTube compression can only take so much of the blame. I'm going to go with the belief that it's just a demo. If the Switch 2 has PS4 Pro+ power, the first new MK in 10 years will surely be a game that shows off the power of the console.

Or perhaps the Switch 2 isn't so powerful after all.

I am not a fan. Then again, I'm just not a fan of DK in general.

This version reminds of the old 90s show more than the movie.

To be honest, when I first saw it I thought it was a totally different character! Like Donkey Kong's brother, Monkey Kong or something.

Huge Donkey Kong fan here (hence, the name). Not liking this look at all. He’s been perfect since the ‘90s, if you ask me. Hopefully this is some variant or different character (though I don’t know why they’d highlight him over the standard DK in the reveal trailer). That said, I love the look of the other characters so far! Hopefully this is a one-off or something.

@Porky ok man, fair enough, you understand the history and nuance of this better than i do. I imagine you are right

I like the design on its own, its just kind’ve a different character. This new DK looks stronger, but much less motivated to use his strength. Love how massive those arms are though, especially in that tiny kart.

I love it and can't get enough of everyone's new designs. Donkey Kong in particular can benefit a lot from his new look if he's about to re-emerge as a Nintendo mascot.

he looks like a fun goofball
I hope they are gonna do the King Boo route though
Movie DK for the Mario games
normal DK for the Donkey Kong games
(King Boo is a big Boo in Mario, but a creepy Boo in Luigi)

Dopey Kong Returns

I don't like it, but That's mainly because it reminds me of Seth Rogens awfull portrayal in the movie.

He looks so ugly. this is an awful redesign. Sorry but they should have kept him the same if this is the change they were going with

When they revealed the movie design Miyamoto said this was going to be his main design going forward so this isn't surprising - it's also basically going back to the pre-DKC design. Why he looks the same in DKC Returns HD? It's a port of an old game. The park is another matter, but there's nothing to stop them from changing the costumes, etc.

@Max_the_German That makes sense, but none of the 24 characters was DK, Diddy, Funky or Dixie.

@Porky no one cares about Mario kart tour

@Banjo- With 24 karts in one race, the roster will be 60+ characters to keep variety.

Maybe, maybe… „Everyone is here“

I hope so. Rare's Donkey Kong was there since the second entry and I've always wanted Dixie to be added to 8 after Tour. Heck, they even added Tour tracks to 8!

I grew up with the Donkey Kong Country trilogy and I thought it was genius to make Donkey Kong cool and friendly, while his grandfather Cranky was complaining about modern video games.

I definitely prefer the DKC look than what they have here. Not really a huge issue though. If this is DK’s new look I’ll eventually get used to it.

I love DK's games but never really liked the DK design and definitely never picked him in MK. But this changes things for me, I absolutely love this design and I'm questioning my loyalty to Koopa in MK9 already!

I want to see the whole DK crew rendered like this. Even Candy and Lanky who before this I'd have asked to never have to see again.

At first I wasn't a fan of it, but now I already got used to it lol.

The new design provides for better emotions to be displayed.
Although it reminds of Blooper from Mario Sunshine.

I liked the design changes for the movie, and I like this version as well. I think it makes him more expressive and goofy. I didn't really have any problems with the DKC design, but I feel like I always wanted to like it more than I actually did. He always felt a little limited in his expressiveness, which this new design seems the remedy with the extra brow space and bigger lips. If they lean into the cartoony and bouncy animations, I think this version has the potential to convey a lot more personality.

@Max_the_German Junior IS Donkey Kong as we know it. Cranky is the original DK and DK from Country onwards is junior. Cranky even calls him junior on the regular in DKC.

They changed the design from the SNES Kart to the Rare designed one but they are both one and the same

Wow, DK, what did they do to you? Those dead eyes make him look completely lobotomised now! Absolutely awful design but hey, it was made by Nintendo themselves, so it must be better, right?

Jokes aside, this is clearly yet another sign of Nintendo attempting to reclaim their success as theirs alone by not giving credit to others. Whether that be Rareware for the much better DK design, Retro Studios for DK Returns or anyone else you care to think of. As much as I've grown to love them over the years, this seems a sad state of affairs that's unfortunately all too predictable at this point.

On the plus side, at least we get a new Mario Kart in the coming months! Which I must say is looking very promising if you can look beyond the Youtube compression and appreciate the level of detail added to both the characters and vehicles. The incredibly expansive course shown also emphasises a level of freedom we've not experienced in the series before.

Hopefully the next drop will bring home just how much of a leap this game is compared to MK8D in terms of both graphics and gameplay because, as much as I'm impressed by the series' evolution here, it would still be nice to be fully convinced with a proper reveal.

No doubt this game has far more surprises for us than Nintendo's letting on (Power ups, characters, track designs, online play), so it will be exciting to see just what these are in the coming weeks as anticipation levels for the game no doubt continue to build.

Nothing wrong with the old one but I do prefer the more goofy new design!

So obviously we won't get Mario Kart 9 here but Super Mario Kart 2!

Eh, DK is not my childhood, so I don't care what they do with the Character, but I did like Retros take on him.

He looks derpy, and I love it.

Kinda goofy/scary looking in that photo. But I'm fine with it as long you are given the option to change his look to modern look. Kinda like how some characters were given in MK8. Villager for example. Its likely going to be a thing in new MK. I won't be surprised.

I don't love it at first glance, but I'll reserve judgement until we see him in motion.

Not a big Donkey Kong fan personally so I don't have any strong sentiment about his future design but you can't judge the character design based off just one frame. We need to see more official art from Nintendo

I think it certainly makes DK look a little more silly and comedic in that initial render, which I appreciate actually. I won't mind a more lighthearted representation for DK over the next several years.

Donkey Kong’s DKC has always looked dumb, and the whole DKC series belongs in the dustbin of history. Viva silly looking new Donkey Kong!!!

@Bobb I actually thought it was DK Jr.

…the movie design looked nothing like the classic arcade design I’m seeing here.

Anyway, I like either one.

I like it. Reminds me of the pre-DKC design as well.

@N8tiveT3ch Why does it have to be “your childhood” to form an opinion. Do you only play series from when you were a baby

It does look a bit derpy, yeah.

I never quite liked DK's design in MK8 - I think the teeth threw me? - but certainly not sold on this yet either.

People keep saying it's the movie design but it looks more inspired by DK Jr's sprite in the first Mario Kart.
So if I had to guess it's an art style change for this game only, or maybe the Mario spin off games in general. In that context I like it, but I couldn't see myself playing a DKC game with that Kong.

Not a fan. Not a fan at all. The Country-style DK remains the best version. I get that this version is meant to be a throwback to the arcade original... this was the wrong place to do it, frankly. Do another Mario vs. Donkey Kong game and match it up with the Game Boy game if you must.

This feels like a huge miss.

@OorWullie
It was bait. Nintendo hasn’t officially announced MK9 so I’m assuming that was purely a teaser. That was a hardware reveal! No software will be revealed until April. I was disappointed initially but realized that was a smart play from Nintendo. I don’t think what we saw was a final product by any means. I’m crossing the hell out of my fingers btw 😂. I know your not expecting 4K levels of upgrade either but the next Mario Kart should look much better than MK8 at the least in 2025

I respect they're trying to honour retro DK with the design. However, I don't like it. Maybe there is an option where you can have either design? That's a possibility IMO

Listen... People who say they're "glad DK looks more like his old arcade self" do NOT understand DK canon at all. Canonically, Cranky Kong is the one in the old arcade/NES games, NOT our Rare-era DK. There is no reason to make Donkey Kong look like "his original design" because that original design isn't him. Furthermore, it introduces a major problem because all of DK's Rare-era Kong relatives look like him... Ya know... Because they're related. Diddy, Dixie, Kiddie, Funky, Wrinkly, Tiny, Lanky, etc. They all have a familiar resemblance. Redesigning DK would require also redesigning all of those other Kongs, and I don't even really know that they'd all look right in this new art style. If Nintendo really wants DK to look different for Mario Kart 9 and their little animated movies, then so be it, but DK had better not change in the next Donkey Kong game. Why? Well, change the way Mario looks this drastically and talk to me then about character design.

I love it! Sorry, but the Rare design is just clashing stylistically with the rest of Mario characters and looks a bit too "villainous", especially for a game in which DK is the hero. The new design seems to be based on the movie one, which neatly merged original Miyamoto rounder look and the Rare more angular look. Now DK looks like he belongs in a Mario game again.

Not even sure we saw the final product on the screen rendering of the Switch 2. We don't know where "Mario Kart 9" is in its development cycle, people should just calm down.

Looks awesome! Nintendo is using the old design of DK now. It seems they posted a calendar of DK, has the classic design of the character. Seeing him like this, brings a smile to my face!

@PikminMarioKirby To be honest, his new look which resembles the arcade stuff like everyone says, is way better in my opinion. I just don't care too much for his Country design. Looks weird.

I like this retro MK look for the characters, and DK looks more like his old arcade incarnation, which was always my favorite. I guess I imprinted a bit on the beautiful old DK cabinet in arcades back in my youth. 😅

This new DK and Bowser and the other large characters will look adorably ridiculous squished into a baby buggy or mini scooty later this year. Can’t wait!

@progx I imagine it's most likely a launch title. Why else would that be the very first Switch 2 game they show? The first Switch game shown was BOTW, which ended up launching with the Switch.

People are gonna think they're so dumb when they look back at this moment 😂 it's obviously an alt

@PinderSchloss It will be a new Mario Kart game. Just lime how the Switch 1 reveal trailers games were just "experiences" and supposedly didn't represent actual games coming to the system (they all were real games that released year 1).

@Orpheus79V There might be a Mario Kart 9 in development. I’m not denying that it might be in development.
But it’s too soon to know for sure, and to assume what the character designs or gameplay will be like. It might exist in a completely different universe than the one in this clip. Everything about this was designed as a clip to ‘show off’ the new console.

It’s just like how that wii tech demo wasn’t Twilight Princess.

I’m starting to get the feeling that Mario Kart 9 will be a cross platform game both for Switch 1 & 2 🤔
Switch 1 never got it’s own Mario Kart just the Wii U port and Switches huge install base would be kinda crazy to not make a Switch 1 version and get more $$$

It'd be funny if it was just a placeholder version of DK. Hard to tell but maybe it's DK Jr.? Other than that, guess a revision of DK is coming. Might point to an in-house new DK game on the horizon from Nintendo. Speculation is fun sometimes.

I like it but I feel his fur needs a little bit of a touch up.

@Abrammchi it's most likely going to be open world at the very least

That's not Donkey Kong... that's Seth Rogen!

I’ll admit I was taken a little aback by the change, but ultimately I like it. He’s finally as physically imposing as Mario’s original nemesis should be. And the update is a better a fit for their shared universe, while still honoring Rare’s iconic design. But as iconic as that 1994 look is, it’s past time it evolved beyond its pre-Toy Story origins.

Doubt they will keep this look for DK games but it fits in Mario Kart.

I love it. The character is long overdue for a redesign. Reminds me of Donkey Kong’s look from the NES, SNES and N64 days which I’m all for it.

Bluesky lmfao.

As a skin or separate character, like someone pointed out a "young Cranky Kong" it would be cool. But my word that's just not Donkey Kong as I love him.

I refer to this version as Classic Kong. Nintendo can now release Donkey Kong Generations featuring Classic and Modern Donkey Kong.

Yeah, I don’t like it. DK, to me, is funnier and more endearing when he acts as a dumb, lovable meathead, and this design makes him look more like a goofball, which doesn’t really match his character, imo.

I dunno, maybe give him a slightly more furrowed brow and then we’ll be closer. I know the movie had his brow furrowed more and it still looked fine.

He has a DK21 vibe now

He looks unfitting when shown alongside the rest. He's dead-eyed like some 80s old tech character.

They’re both bad. He looked best in super Mario kart 1992.

@OorWullie that kind of leap just does not happen anymore. Going from SD to HD was massive for gaming... The leap from each HD console to each other has been minimal. Like yeah, comparing a PS5 game to a PS3 game is pretty huge, but between PS4 to PS5... Ehhhhhh.... I expect the same between Switch to Switch 2, it will be noticeable, but not WOW like it used to be.

Its nice. You sometimes have to do something new to keep things fresh, and it definitely looks better then the modern plastic design of Starfox.

Makes me also wonder how Diddy looks. And this must mean there's a new DK game on the way, right? I really hope so!

If it is just like Smash Bros with the Echo fighters then cool. If that is Donkey Kong's design from now on, it is going to take some getting use to. Then again if Donkey had another game then I wouldn't really care to be honest.

I seriously hope to god the redesign is temporary

Please Nintendo don't change his design

YoGo gorilla, is that you??

I like it, for what little I've seen of it. I also like the "old" Rare design, but I'm not averse to this new one - he looks somewhat goofier, but it a good way. I don't think it looks very similar to the DK in the Mario movie, it reminds me of DK's look in the original 1981 arcade game, particularly the NES version of it, and it also kinda brings to mind DK Jr. from the SNES Super Mario Kart... it's kinda like they decided to make a 3D version of the pre-Rare DK designs. I don't know if everything DK-related shall be redesigned too, but this doesn't look like a bad start...

What I hope is that the Mario movie didn't play a part in this redesign, I seriously do not want Nintendo's Hollywood ventures to start dictating the direction their games should take. I hope Nintendo themselves decide how their games and properties should be, not any external parties.

So whatever this means for DK, if it means anything, what I hope is that we get great games featuring gaming's most famous ape, no matter how he looks.