Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong Receive Updated Designs Ahead of Mario Kart World Launch on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo has officially updated the character designs for two of its most iconic platforming heroes, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong.

The new visual direction aligns both characters more closely with their appearances in the recent Super Mario Bros.

Movie, reflecting a broader initiative by Nintendo to unify its game and film properties across media.

On May 3, Nintendo published new official artwork providing a side-by-side comparison: the original designs from Donkey Kong Country Returns and the revamped 2025 versions set to debut shortly. This artistic update comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise and Nintendo’s hardware ecosystem.

The freshly reimagined Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong will feature prominently in Mario Kart World, one of the flagship launch titles for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.

Scheduled for release on June 5, Mario Kart World represents an evolution of the legendary racer, promising enhanced visuals and expanded gameplay features powered by the next-gen hardware. Nintendo’s design team emphasized that these changes were made to ensure consistency across the company’s various entertainment platforms.

'We’ve worked to modernize Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to reflect their movie counterparts while retaining elements fans know and love,' stated Nintendo in a recent press release.

The move not only refreshes the characters for longtime fans but also introduces them in a recognizable form to newer audiences familiar with the animated film. Historically, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong’s designs have evolved with each era of hardware, from their pixelated origins to the more refined models of Donkey Kong Country Returns, first released on the Wii and later ported to other platforms.

The latest update marks the first significant visual overhaul for the characters since their appearance in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Anticipation around Mario Kart World is already high, as the series stands among Nintendo’s top-selling franchises.

The updated character models will be prominently featured not only in the core racing experience, but are also expected across promotional materials and the Nintendo eShop.

As Nintendo continues to capitalize on the synergy between its games and cinematic properties, fans can look forward to further artistic cohesion and innovation on the Nintendo Switch 2 and beyond.

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