Donkey Kong Bananza Redesign Unveiled: Shigeru Miyamoto Explains Character Evolution for Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza Redesign Unveiled: Shigeru Miyamoto Explains Character Evolution for Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo fans have been buzzing with anticipation since the official announcement of Donkey Kong Bananza, the highly anticipated title scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch 2.

However, much of the conversation has centered on the bold new redesign of Donkey Kong himself.

As Nintendo readies to launch the next-generation hardware—and with Donkey Kong Bananza set to hit the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17—iconic character design is at the heart of a new era for Nintendo's beloved simian. A Legacy of Redesign: Shigeru Miyamoto Provides Insight Donkey Kong, first introduced to arcades in 1981, has undergone various artistic changes over the decades.

The current redesign has sparked passionate discussions among longtime fans.

Shigeru Miyamoto, who created Donkey Kong and has overseen the character’s development for more than four decades, recently spoke with IGN about the evolutionary process behind the character’s updated look. Miyamoto explained that his involvement in character creation remains hands-on, even after so many years.

Reflecting on past collaborations, he highlighted how the shift to Donkey Kong Country in partnership with Rare marked an early leap in DK’s visual identity.

Miyamoto noted, “When considering how to update Donkey Kong, we reflected on the expressiveness possible with modern technology.

Our work on games like Jungle Beat and with teams experienced in 3D Mario titles allowed us to push the character’s design further.” He added that the advancements made for The Super Mario Bros.

Movie in 2023, where several Mario franchise characters also received redesigns, offered a unique opportunity to reassess Donkey Kong’s appearance.

According to Miyamoto, the new design was a concerted effort to make Donkey Kong more dynamic and expressive, both for the big screen and for current-generation games.

“Building on what Rare initially created, our goal was to explore how far we could take Donkey Kong’s design, ensuring he could convey a wider range of emotions,” Miyamoto said. Redesign Extends Beyond Bananza Donkey Kong’s redesign isn’t limited to Donkey Kong Bananza.

Fans will also see the updated version in Mario Kart World, which launches alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5.

This cross-title consistency indicates that the new Donkey Kong style is not a one-off adjustment for a single game, but rather a unified direction for the character across Nintendo’s major releases—including both platformers and racing games—on Nintendo Switch 2 and beyond. A Community Divided, A Franchise Moving Forward While reactions to the new look are mixed, with some fans nostalgic for previous iterations and others welcoming a more lively and characterful DK, the redesign marks a broader evolution within Nintendo’s approach to legacy characters.

When The Super Mario Bros.

Movie introduced a fresher look for Donkey Kong and other members of the Mushroom Kingdom, the shift was more readily accepted, attributed to the film’s unique medium.

Now, with the updated design embedded in the core gaming experience, its adoption feels more definitive. Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be a major release for Nintendo Switch 2, solidifying both the next chapter of DK’s storied legacy and Nintendo’s commitment to continuous character innovation.

As fans count down to the July 17 launch, the company is set to further cement Donkey Kong’s place as one of gaming’s most recognizable and expressive icons.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Mario Shigeru Miyamoto Switch 2 Switch Miyamoto Rare Mario Kart World The Super Mario Bros. Movie IGN