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

Nintendo's recent reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's redesign has captured particular attention: Donkey Kong. While most characters in the Mario Kart 9 trailer looked familiar, Donkey Kong's appearance is noticeably different.

For years, Donkey Kong's design remained consistent across various games like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, his revamped look in The Super Mario Bros. Movie seems to have inspired a significant redesign for the upcoming Mario Kart 9.

Although the Mario Kart 9 trailer offered only fleeting glimpses of Donkey Kong, the differences in his design are already apparent. A more detailed comparison will likely emerge in April during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct. This event will also shed more light on the new console itself, which the reveal trailer hinted at with glimpses of its design. The trailer confirmed backward compatibility, a new button on the Joy-Cons, and the controller's potential use as a mouse.

While a 2025 release window has been announced, the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to launch no earlier than June. This is due to numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration opening shortly.