Mario Kart 9 Character Design Impacted by Super Mario Movie

Nintendo's recent reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked discussion among fans, particularly regarding Donkey Kong's redesigned appearance. The new design seems heavily influenced by his look in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While many characters in the Mario Kart 9 trailer appeared unchanged, Donkey Kong's noticeably different design stands out. His appearance has remained consistent across numerous titles for years, including Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, the movie's successful redesign appears to have inspired Nintendo to update his in-game model.

The brief glimpse of Donkey Kong in the Mario Kart 9 trailer doesn't allow for a detailed comparison. However, the differences are already apparent. A more thorough side-by-side comparison will likely be possible after the April Nintendo Direct, which is expected to showcase the Nintendo Switch 2 more extensively. The console reveal trailer offered only a few glimpses of the new hardware, focusing primarily on its aesthetics. It did confirm backward compatibility, a new button on the Joy-Cons, and the functionality of the controller as a mouse.

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