The Switch 2 generation is making updates and changes all over the shop, but one of the major talking points has been the redesign of Donkey Kong Bananza and as we found out last week, Diddy Kong is also getting a slight refresh.
In a new update, we've now got some more graphics directly from Nintendo's official website. It once again shows off Donkey Kong and gives us another look at Diddy's design.
Donkey Kong fans have also recently spotted some new renders in the wild at a licensing expo, and both Kongs are looking quite expressive in this new artwork (via tnAlex):
As part of this Donkey Kong refresh, Nintendo has also updated its accessory line - with the designs on water bottles and key chains also seemingly more in line with the new look of the Kongs.
As for Diddy Kong, it would be great to see him reunited with DK - especially in Bananza, as a few of DK's pals have already been spotted by the looks of it.
What do you think of the new design of DK and Diddy Kong? Is it growing on you, or do you miss the old look? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 48
These designs have already grown on me.
His design doesn't really look that brand new, it's more an updated render.
@StewdaMegaManNerd Agreed. They aren't bad at all.
Still not sure on that weird flesh divider for Diddy's eyes, but otherwise? All of these are great. Vibrant and very appealing to look at(unless you're seriously pedantic/melodramatic about things never changing - you know who you are). Some of these renders even manage to capture that Rare feel pretty decently too.
I just absolutely love the new designs, even if Diddy’s just has some small tweaks and details added instead of being a gigantic redesign like DK. In my opinion they don’t look bad at all, because I think the designs have more personality and expressiveness now, and DK’s design does a pretty good job at showcasing his silliness and charm.
@N00BiSH was going to comment on the skin separating Diddy’s eyes. I’d have gone with a shaded line like DK rather than an anatomical change that adds a slim detail
@NinChocolate Agreed. The irony is the answer was right in front of them, with both DK and Bananza's Prospector Monkeys showing how they could've split the eye without the need for a divider.
The new designs of Mario and DK characters are growing on me. I adore the new Diddy Kong.
Thank god it wasn’t P. Diddy Kong
Ok I want a new DK Country now. (I don’t even like the DKC games…what is this?)
That first picture's probably the first one I've seen of the new DK look that I didn't completely hate. From that angle it actually kind of works, it's just the completely vacant googly-eyed stares he usually has that make me loathe it.
Has Diddy been confirmed for Bananza?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love how expressive Donkey Kong looks.
Love it! I just sincerely hope we can actually control our little buddy! But my bet is on that he can be controlled by player 2, like Cappy in Mario Odyssey
Removed - inappropriate
Can tell I’m in the minority here but I’m not a fan of dk’s new design.
It hints at the tone Nintendo is setting for dk and I can’t help but desire the darker vibe we got from dkc2.
Slightly tangential but something that actually halted my playthrough of Mario n Luigi brother ship was how happy every single song was. I felt like it was Disney game with zero sense of urgency or high stakes.
The fact I know Associate Seth being a d*k with this new design has probably done some damage. But the further we remove DK from that, the more fun and joyful his design looks!
I especially like how the Diddy design looks better in my eyes, it feels like the whole family now has a clear design line. Dk always felt a bit different from all the other Kings somehow!
@Alckemy yeah, Brothership's soundtrack is very samey. A different composer means the OST loses the varied moods Yoko Shimomura provided in previous.
As for Donkey Kong's tone, it was never truly "dark" or "moody." Sure, the games could provide strong atmosphere through their music and settings, but things were never truly grim. It was still about Magilla Gorilla going toe to toe with Wally Gator at the end of the day and wasn't afraid to be funny here and there.
Nice to have more pictures of both DK and Diddy in the new style - personally, I overall really like them and especially how much more expressive they are (and again, I still love the older designs in their own way)!
Nothing changed…?
@N00BiSH I’m not even going to front if Dave wise is doing the next 2d donkey Kong I’ll shut up.
I don’t know if I agree though, even country’s first game had a very grim demeanor to it that rode that line of being goofy af to taking the ice caps and mine cart rides hella serious.
Dk64 kind of put that in the grave and was only brought back a bit with tropical freeze.
I know it sounds so stupid, because these are kids games but they used to pull this vibe I’m talking about off so well with the music and visual aesthetic.
Just my opinions.
It's nice to see that Diddy is back!
tbh outside of his raised brows it practically looks like the same design to me. probably pudgier and stylized, the same way the mario cast got updated in wonder, but it just looks like his eyes are just allowed to emote now
Love the new style a lot!
Love this alot!!
Never been a fan of DK but the redesign kinda removes any shred of cool, so good on Nintendo if that's what they were going for.
I'm surprised that I've already gotten completely used to DK's redesign well before Bananza launches. He's honestly grown on me. Diddy still looks good too.
For what's it's worth, I've seen a Donkey Kong calendar for next year that features 2D artwork of DK and Diddy, but also Cranky and Dixie. I think Dixie will be in Bananza now!
@The21zonz He has teeth and separated eyes. Also his cap slightly changed and I feel like he has a bigger tummy now.
Must it, the initial showing of this redesign was very underwhelming in January's Switch 2 reveal. But the extra expressiveness it's given DK that Nintendo have shown off in Bananza, has gradually grown on me over time.
Now I just can't wait to see more of this goofy, colorful personality when the game finally hits in July. Hopefully it's a title that'll get DK back to the top of the Nintendo pile, where he belongs.
I don't really like the line between Diddy's eyes, but at least he still looks like himself! Not sure if I'll ever get used to DK looking like a brawny doofus.
In hindsight, the DK reskin reveal in the initial MK World trailer was a harbinger of things to come. So I'm wondering if Diddy might get his own game too? But more likely it was to keep things consistent in the DK universe.
Diddy's "skin strip" between his eyes personally offends me.
Really like how Diddy's design wasn't drastically changed but still tweaked enough to better match with DK's. Makes me looking forward to seeing how the other Kong regulars have been touched up since while probably wishful thinking, I feel like it's only a matter of time before we see the likes of Funky and Dixie again.
Viva Las Vegas
They look so adorable! Can't wait to play the game
The iconic DK (Donkey Kong) and DD (Diddy Dong)!
I see no difference with Diddy.
Diddy no longer has one eyeball with two pupils, and he has teefs... for shame.
The new Diddy design is subtle enough that I'm not bothered at all. DK has definitely grown on me since my initial "meh" reaction. As another comment put it, I think showing the duo with different angles and renders certainly helps.
Unieyes and teeth all present and correct.
@Alckemy check out the final boss if you don’t mind spoilers. Let’s just say that while all Disney movies look happy a vast majority of them have dark villains and brothership, if we’re comparing it to Disney movies, definitely has a very dark villain. 😉
Quite like the new looks, except for the weird fleshy line on Diddy's eyes. That feels "off" somehow. But I doubt I will notice it in actual gameplay. ☺️
Diddy Kong Racing!!
new design better. 👍
They de-sonic-ed his eyes!
It's hard to deny that the redesign fits the actual Mario aesthetic better than the old one, despite my love for all the old Rareware games and designs. I also just noticed that Diddy's eyes are no longer fused together lol. He looks pretty awesome, and I'm glad they didn't change much on him. I'm excited to see what other kongs are going to look like
@Alckemy Absolutely. That perilous atmospheric vibe is what made me LOVE the Country/Land games so much. (I love the gameplay too, though.) And I adore DK64, and while it didn't get rid of those feelings entirely (Gloomy Galleon, Frantic Factory especially- the castle level too, but it felt a bit more "halloween" while still being creepy) it did definitely dial back on them overall, compared to the Country/Land games.
My only real issue with Diddy is that he looks 100x creepier with his mouth open with teeth, where before, his open-mouthed expressions looked super friendly. The teeth where no teeth were visible before makes it look like more of a gurning expression instead of just- "Yay!"
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