The Super Mario Bros. Movie Appears to Have Influenced a Major Mario Kart 9 Character's Redesign

Nintendo's recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one detail in particular has captured fans' attention: Donkey Kong's striking redesign, seemingly influenced by The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The trailer showcased numerous characters, most appearing as expected. However, Donkey Kong's appearance is significantly different from his established look, which has remained consistent across titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns for years. The movie's successful reimagining of the character appears to have inspired this game update.

While the Mario Kart 9 trailer offered only fleeting glimpses of Donkey Kong, the differences are already apparent. A more detailed comparison will be possible once higher-resolution images and gameplay become available. A more comprehensive look is anticipated during April's Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.

The console reveal trailer provided limited details on the Switch 2 itself, focusing primarily on its aesthetic. However, it confirmed backward compatibility, showcased a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and validated previous speculation regarding the controller's potential use as a mouse.

Although announced with a 2025 release window, the Nintendo Switch 2 is unlikely to launch before June, given the numerous planned hands-on events worldwide, with registration opening shortly.