Why Donkey Kong’s Design is Changing: Insights from Shigeru Miyamoto on Donkey Kong Bananza and Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong’s Updated Look Explained: Shigeru Miyamoto Discusses Design Evolution for Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong, one of Nintendo’s most enduring icons, is receiving a major visual update in his upcoming title, Donkey Kong Bananza, set for the Nintendo Switch 2.

This new character redesign has sparked widespread discussion across the gaming community, especially since the first brief glimpses were shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement which also featured Mario Kart World.

The update represents a significant milestone for both the character and the franchise, reflecting Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to evolving its beloved properties. Shigeru Miyamoto, the visionary creator behind Donkey Kong and other classic Nintendo IPs, provided deeper insight into the design changes in a recent interview.

As Miyamoto explained to IGN, he continues to directly oversee character creation at Nintendo, ensuring that each evolution maintains the spirit of the original while embracing contemporary technologies and artistic sensibilities. Looking back, Miyamoto recalled how the original shift in Donkey Kong’s appearance came with the development of Donkey Kong Country in partnership with UK developer Rare.

"When we created Donkey Kong Country, there was a joint effort to rethink the character's look for a new generation.

Each subsequent project, like Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, pushed Donkey Kong’s expressiveness further as the available technology improved," Miyamoto stated.

He also emphasized that the redesign wasn’t limited to interactive media.

Re-evaluating the character’s look—especially building on ideas introduced by Rare—culminated recently with Donkey Kong’s portrayal in The Super Mario Bros.

Movie.

According to Miyamoto, this newer interpretation provided the foundation for the updated design seen in Donkey Kong Bananza on Switch 2, as the character advances into a new decade and takes center stage on advanced hardware. This latest evolution is not exclusive to Donkey Kong himself.

Miyamoto confirmed that Diddy Kong, another fan favorite, will also feature a refreshed look, though these changes are subtler compared to Donkey Kong’s pronounced redesign.

“We’re always thinking about how to make our characters more expressive and relatable, while honoring their legacy,” Miyamoto remarked. Donkey Kong Bananza is highly anticipated as it marks the first mainline Donkey Kong release since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which originally launched on Wii U in 2014 before coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2018.

With this fresh, expressive art direction and the technological capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo is aiming to delight both new players and long-time fans. As Donkey Kong Bananza prepares to debut on Nintendo’s newest platform, the company reaffirms its commitment to innovation and thoughtful reimagining of classic franchises.

Gamers around the world can expect a Donkey Kong that feels both familiar and new, stronger than ever in Nintendo’s next generation of consoles.

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