Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the announcement of Mario Kart 9, sparking excitement among fans who immediately noticed a significant character redesign seemingly influenced by The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The trailer showcased over a dozen characters, with most appearing as expected – except for Donkey Kong, whose fresh new look immediately caught attention.
The beloved ape has maintained the same iconic design for decades, appearing consistently in titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, the blockbuster success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a revamped version, which Nintendo now appears to be integrating into its game lineup.
The Mario Kart 9 preview offered only fleeting glimpses, with Donkey Kong appearing in just a few partially obscured scenes. Fans eager for detailed comparisons will need to wait for more substantial reveals, but the visual departure from previous iterations is already apparent.
Nintendo promises more comprehensive showcases during April's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation. The initial console trailer primarily highlighted design elements while confirming key features: near-universal backward compatibility, redesigned Joy-Cons sporting a mysterious new button, and the intriguing possibility of controller functionality as a mouse.
Despite the vague "2025" launch window, industry speculation suggests the Nintendo Switch 2 won't hit shelves until at least June. This extended timeline accommodates numerous global hands-on events, with registration expected to open imminently.
