Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals Donkey Kong’s Exciting New Look

Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto has recently explained the reasons behind Donkey Kong's modern redesign. The beloved character's new look, which resembles his appearance in the Super Mario Bros. film, was first teased at the Mario Kart World presentation. Miyamoto emphasized the importance of character evolution, referencing past collaborations with Rare for the original Donkey Kong Country and highlighting the desire to make DK more expressive. The character's revamped design is also meant to resonate with the upcoming game Donkey Kong Bananza, set to launch on Switch 2 on July 17, 2025, featuring more dynamic gameplay and engagement.

Donkey Kong Bananza is expected to showcase enhanced gameplay mechanics, with a focus on action-adventure elements that allow for more expressive movement and interactions. Promotional materials suggest a richer, more vibrant environment compared to previous titles, making full use of the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Donkey Kong has been a staple in the Nintendo roster since his debut in 1981. With iconic titles like Donkey Kong Country and the introduction of characters such as Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong, this franchise has had a long-standing impact on platform gaming. The upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza aims to blend nostalgia with modern gaming technology, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers to the series.