Mario Kart 9 Character Redesign Inspired by Film

Nintendo's recent reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one character's redesign has captured fans' attention: Donkey Kong. While most characters in the Mario Kart 9 trailer appeared unchanged, Donkey Kong sports a noticeably different look, seemingly inspired by his design in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

For years, Donkey Kong's design remained consistent across various titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, the movie's successful reimagining of the character has seemingly influenced his new appearance in Mario Kart 9.

Although the Mario Kart 9 trailer offered only fleeting glimpses of Donkey Kong, the differences are already apparent. A more detailed comparison will likely be possible after the April Nintendo Direct, which is anticipated to showcase the Nintendo Switch 2 in greater detail. This event will also likely provide more information on the new console's features, including the rumored backwards compatibility, the mysterious new Joy-Con button, and the controller's potential use as a mouse.

While a 2025 release window has been announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, a June launch seems more probable due to numerous hands-on events scheduled worldwide, with registration opening shortly.