Donkey Kong Receives New Character Design in Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza

Nintendo has made waves in the gaming world by debuting a refreshed character design for Donkey Kong, first showcased earlier this year and now prominently featured in the upcoming titles Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.

The revered game developer, known for continuously rejuvenating its franchises for the Nintendo Switch and beyond, has taken bold steps to modernize the iconic character while still honoring his rich legacy within the Donkey Kong series. The new look for Donkey Kong is currently exclusive to him.

As confirmed by an official Nintendo 2026 calendar, other beloved members of the DK cast—including Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong—continue to showcase their familiar appearances.

These designs draw from Rare’s influential Donkey Kong Country titles, a series that first revitalized the character roster back in the 1990s and established the visual identity fans know today. Cranky Kong’s continued use of his established design was previously evident from early marketing materials and promotional images for Donkey Kong Bananza.

Although Nintendo has not provided further details regarding the roles of Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza, their images in official materials indicate their designs remain unchanged at this time. A Nintendo representative stated that the goal of the redesign was to give Donkey Kong a fresh yet familiar appearance that could resonate across modern titles without losing touch with his roots.

This careful reimagining demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to evolving its franchises while maintaining strong connections to the brand’s celebrated history. Both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are poised to further expand the Donkey Kong franchise on Nintendo Switch, adding new gameplay dimensions and visual updates that reflect both innovation and tradition.

Fans can look forward to experiencing these titles through the Nintendo eShop and at retail locations following their respective release dates, building on Nintendo’s legacy of delivering high-quality, engaging experiences. With Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza set to release in the coming year, attention now turns to how the new design will be embraced by long-time fans and what it could signal for future Nintendo projects.

As always, Nintendo continues to balance nostalgia and innovation, ensuring that characters like Donkey Kong remain as relevant and beloved today as when they first hit screens.

Mario Kart Donkey Kong Mario Kart World Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Mario Kart