The upcomingMario Kartgame for the Nintendo Switch 2 appears to have redesigned Donkey Kong, and a prevalent fan theory is already taking hold online. During thefirst-look trailer for Nintendo’s new console, due out later this year, only a single game was shown running on the flashy new hardware: what looks to be the long-awaitedMario Kart 9. Fans were quick to recognize a few features thatset it apart from the previousMario Kartgames: hints at a 24-player mode, new vehicles, and, more obviously, an all-new art style.
Nowhere is that art style more noticeable than in Donkey Kong’s new design, which was highlighted by X (formerly Twitter) accountDiscussingFilmin a post juxtaposing the classic and original designs. In the trailer, he’s seen with a wider, flatter face, a larger dark space around his eyes, and almost comically large arms that extend well beyond the borders of his beleaguered kart. Players like @yoshipuddingalmost immediately emerged with a theory: thatDonkey Kong’s new design was based on the film version of the character, as he appeared inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Donkey Kong Is Redesigned For The New Mario Kart Game
Among Other Important Details
Donkey Kong’s redesign was the most noticeable, but upon closer inspection,some fans noticed that other character models appeared to have been altered, too. For example, Mario appears to have been reproportioned to more closely resemble his model inSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, as indicated by @Space_Plumber. OtherMario Wondercharacters, like Peach and Luigi, may have also undergone a similar transformation - it’s difficult to see in the short trailer.
Also up for discussion was the track itself. Some, like @KirPinkFurynoticed thatthe road, extending into the distance well beyond the camera’s perspective, seemed to suggest a more “open-world” kind ofMario Kartgame. They also suggested the road in front of Yoshi’s burger stand looked a little like a pit stop, which is indeed possible, but as an alternative suggestion: it may also be a drive-through.
Either way,it looks likeMario Kart 9(or whatever it’ll be called) will be an entirely different kind of gamefrom what fans are used to. Whether that’s for the better will only become clearer once Nintendo reveals more details.
DK’s Design May Be To Line Up Better With The Movie Version
A DK Revival, Or Something Else?
It’s clear that Donkey Kong has been redesigned for the newMario Kartgame, and that his new render looks quite a bit more like his movie design than his old one did. However,it seems unlikely that this is part of a widespread effort to make the widerMariocast look more like they did in the movie, to create some kind of aesthetic synergy. The Mario brothers', Bowser’s, and Peach’s designs in the trailer make that clear enough.
Perhaps this new redesign ispart of an effort to revive his mostly-defunct spinoff series. With the recent release ofDonkey Kong Countryfor the Switch, and an all-new look for the ape himself, Nintendo might have big plans for DK in the very near future.
3 Best Mario Kart Games, Ranked
Mario Kart is one of the most popular franchises in Nintendo’s vast library, but these three games come out on top.
However, another possibility that most fans have yet to consider:what ifMario Kart 9will give its racers various “skins”, not unlike the alternate costumes in theSmash Bros.series?That has the potential to be a fun addition (as long as they’re free): players could choose, say, a more retro version of Donkey Kong, his long-standing current render based on his appearance inDonkey Kong Country, or a movie-inspired version. Other characters could also have alternate skins - think Toon Link, Paper Mario, or a wider variety ofAnimal Crossingvillagers.
Still, we arguably know less about the newMario Kartgame than we do about the Switch 2 at this point. With the next Nintendo Direct scheduled for October, it could be quite a while before we learn why exactly Donkey Kong looks so different in this first appearance. Hopefully, that Direct will include lots of new info about the upcomingMario Kartgame.
Sources:DiscussingFilm/X, @yoshipudding/X,Nintendo of America/YouTube, @Space_Plumber/X, @KirPinkFury/X
