Nintendo’s line of mascots is extensive, but Donkey Kong is comfortably near the front. The big ape has been at the heart of Nintendo’s exclusives for decades, but Donkey Kong’s face had a redesign this year, and Nintendo’s creative director and designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, has explained the decision.
Donkey Kong has always looked like a strong brute. His persona has always been accentuated by his strong and stern eyebrows. But this is no longer the case as his default demeanor is more casual and calm—and less angry. Fans haven’t been pleased by the change, but Miyamoto has finally lifted the curtain on the drama.
Miyamoto Addresses Donkey Kong Redesign
In an interview with IGN, Miyamoto was asked: “What’s it like seeing that character’s new design now and seeing this character grow up with you?”
After all, this is an aesthetic overhaul coming nearly 45 years after his debut in 1981.
Miyamoto responded: “When we were talking about trying to create new versions, evolving Donkey Kong, we created the game called Jungle Beat. We worked together with the team that made 3D Mario. With the technology that was available at the time, we were able to make Donkey Kong more expressive. And going back to the design that Rare came up with, we reevaluated; what can we do with the design to make it more expressive? And then when it comes to the movie, we decided to move forward with this new generation Donkey Kong design.”
There you have it: Nintendo wanted Donkey Kong to be “more expressive.” I guess looking moody and almost pouty after so many decades can take its toll. The latest Donkey Kong Bananza footage certainly shows DK looking fresh and capable of pulling a wide variety of faces now.
Are you a fan of the redesign? Or do you miss the old, almost dour-looking Donkey Kong? Let us know through the Insider Gaming forum.
Plus, be sure to read about Battlefield 6 having Bad Company 2 vibes and Borderlands 4 having twice the budget of Borderlands 3.
Andy is Insider Gaming's Senior Evergreen Editor and has been in the games journalism sphere in one way or another for over 7 years. His video game taste is as…
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You could do that with the old design go back to it. Also Pauline and Mario keep that and where’s K Rool?