Nintendo has finally unveiled the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, and with it comes the exciting announcement of Mario Kart 9. Fans have been quick to spot a significant redesign of one character in particular, seemingly inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The trailer showcased over a dozen characters, and while most appeared as fans expected, Donkey Kong's new look caught everyone's attention. For years, even decades, Donkey Kong has maintained the same design across various games like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a fresh take on his appearance, which Nintendo seems to be integrating into its upcoming titles.
Although only a brief glimpse of Mario Kart 9 was shared, and Donkey Kong appeared in just a few scenes, the difference in his design is already evident. A more detailed comparison will likely be available in April during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct. This event is highly anticipated, and while the console reveal trailer focused primarily on the new hardware's appearance, it did confirm a few key features: the Nintendo Switch 2 is mostly backwards compatible, the Joy-Cons include a mysterious new button, and the theory about using the controller as a mouse seems accurate.
While the Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for a 2025 release, it's unlikely to hit the market before June at the earliest. This timeline aligns with numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration opening soon.
