Mario Kart 9 Overhauls Beloved Character Thanks to Animated Film Inspiration

Nintendo's recent reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 has sparked excitement, but one detail stands out: Donkey Kong's redesigned appearance, seemingly influenced by The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The trailer showcased numerous characters, most looking familiar. However, Donkey Kong's design is noticeably different from his previous iterations in games like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. The movie's successful redesign appears to have inspired this updated look.

The Mario Kart 9 trailer offered only fleeting glimpses of Donkey Kong, making a thorough comparison challenging. Nevertheless, the differences are apparent. A more detailed side-by-side comparison is anticipated in April during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.

This Direct is also expected to provide further details about the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, beyond the initial reveal trailer's focus on its aesthetics. Backwards compatibility, a new Joy-Con button, and the potential use of the controller as a mouse were hinted at.

While a 2025 release window has been announced, the Nintendo Switch 2's arrival is likely to be later, possibly June at the earliest. This is due to various hands-on events planned globally, with registration opening soon.