Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals Why Nintendo Redesigned Donkey Kong

Nintendo’s iconic character Donkey Kong has received a fresh redesign, coinciding with his appearances in upcoming titles such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Shigeru Miyamoto revealed the motivations behind Donkey Kong's new look during a discussion about character evolution at the reveal of Universal's Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. The aim was to create a more expressive character, something that can be attributed to advancements in technology since the original Donkey Kong Country. The new design has received mixed reactions, with fans noting its sillier appearance and increased expressiveness. Additionally, Diddy Kong is hinted to be getting a slight redesign, reflecting this new approach.

Donkey Kong was redesigned to make him more expressive and to reflect advancements in animation technology, aiming to evolve the character while maintaining his classic roots.

The Donkey Kong franchise has been a staple of Nintendo since its debut in 1981. Originally created by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed in collaboration with Rare for the Donkey Kong Country series, the character has undergone various transformations over the decades. The latest redesign not only showcases a modern aesthetic but also aligns with the upcoming projects that aim to present Donkey Kong in a broader, more engaging light.