A change of look every now and then always feels good. That’s what the famous Donkey Kong, the iconic Nintendo character, has done, as he might be on the way to a complete redesign, according to what has been presented in a demo of the upcoming Switch 2. This new look will not only apply to the game itself but also to the merchandise related to the character. Since his initial design in 1981, Donkey Kong has undergone several transformations, the most notable being the Donkey Kong Country series by Rare, which gave him a distinctive style, including a tie, a subtle movement in his hair, and a face that always used to show a slightly annoyed expression.
How stylish this monkey always is
The recent redesign of Donkey Kong seems to be inspired by his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with adjustments that soften his forehead and give him a friendlier look. This update has sparked mixed reactions among the gorilla’s superfans on platforms like Reddit. Many fans have expressed their opinions on the new design, highlighting the reduction of the frown, which allows for greater facial and emotional expression in the character. At first, I was against the design change, but after looking at it more closely, I recognize that it allows Donkey Kong to better express his emotions, commented a user, indicating that the new look is more appealing once the initial surprise is overcome.
For now, only Donkey Kong seems to be the subject of this new design, and it is not clear if other characters like Diddy Kong and the Kong family will also receive updates in their appearance. With the rise of gaming platforms and the amplification of the brand, the visual evolution of Donkey Kong could be part of a broader strategy by Nintendo to modernize its catalog and attract both new players and long-time fans.