"Super Mario Bros. Movie Impacts Mario Kart 9 Character Redesign"

Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, and with it comes the much-anticipated Mario Kart 9. Fans were quick to spot a significant redesign in one character, inspired by the aesthetics seen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The trailer showcased over a dozen characters, but it was Donkey Kong who caught everyone's eye with his revamped look.

For years, Donkey Kong's design has remained consistent across various games such as Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a fresh take on his appearance, which Nintendo now seems eager to integrate into their gaming universe.

Donkey Kong in Mario Kart 8, the animated film, and Mario Kart 9 (Image Credit: Nintendo)

The trailer for Mario Kart 9 offered just a fleeting glimpse of the game, and Donkey Kong's new design was only visible in a few scenes, making it challenging to fully appreciate the changes. A more detailed comparison is expected to be available during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct in April. This event will likely provide further insights into the new console and its games.

The console reveal trailer teased a few features of the Nintendo Switch 2, emphasizing its design. It confirmed that the hardware will be mostly backwards compatible, introduced a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and validated theories about using the controller as a mouse.

While the release window for the Nintendo Switch 2 is set for 2025, it's speculated that the console might not hit the market until June at the earliest. This is due to numerous hands-on events scheduled worldwide, with registration opening soon.