Nintendo's significant revamp of Donkey Kong, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 unveiling, is now confirmed through a new line of merchandise. The character's design, consistent for decades across titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns, has undergone a noticeable transformation. Many fans believe the new look bears resemblance to Donkey Kong's portrayal in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While the video game redesign was only briefly seen in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo Life highlighted a Reddit post by cookiemaster221 showcasing merchandise featuring the updated Donkey Kong. The new design softens his appearance, notably rounding out his previously furrowed brow. Reddit comments reflect a mixed reaction. Some users express nostalgia for the classic, more serious look, while others find the friendlier, "chill" aesthetic appealing, suggesting it aims for a more playful image. One user even compared the change to a reverse "Kirby treatment," referencing Kirby's consistently cheerful demeanor.

The merchandise provides a clearer view of the redesign than the fleeting appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more extensive showcase of the redesigned Donkey Kong in action is anticipated during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2, scheduled for April.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer, while primarily showcasing the console's aesthetics, offered glimpses of its capabilities. Backwards compatibility was confirmed, the Joy-Cons were shown to include a new, currently mysterious button, and a previously speculated mouse-like controller function was confirmed.