Summary
Nintendois continuing its effort to completely erase Rare’sDonkey Kongdesign from our memories, as it’s now replaced his classic look on the originalSwitchwith the divisive new design fromBananza.
When Nintendo confirmed that it’d finally be revealing the Nintendo Switch 2 at the start of the year, I’m guessing that nobody thought the biggest point of discussion would be centered around Donkey Kong. And yet,thanks to a controversial new design that debuted in the teaser trailer for Mario Kart World, that’s exactly the case.
Donkey Kong’s more cartoony look and proportions (which many have compared to the movie)are a far cry from his iconic Rare look that’s been used to portray him over the past few decades, making the change quite divisive. Despite the controversy, Nintendo has still been doing everything it can to make sure the modern design is the only one out there.
Rare’s Donkey Kong Has Been Replaced With The New Design On The Original Switch
Rest In Peace, Rare DK
Outside of the new look being front and centre inMario Kart Worldand Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo has also been sneakily changing some things around,such as updating some Donkey Kong merch to reflect the changes. It’s now gone one step further and,as pointed out by Twitter user SuperMarioOOC85, replaced Rare’s original design on the original Switch.
Earlier today, the original Switch saw a pretty hefty update that added a few new features. It also updated the selection of icons available as profile pictures for Switch users, which includes some subtle updates to most of the Mario renders. More importantly, though,it’s introduced the new Donkey Kong to the mix, at the cost of the Rare DKwe all know and love.
As an updated look defender from day one, I’m proud to say that after checking the icon really has been replaced, I went ahead and made the new DK my profile picture on Switch. Pick a side, people, the DK war is only going to get worse.
While it does make sense for Nintendo to push the new Donkey Kong, it does come as a bit of a surprise just how much it’s trying to erase the Rare look. Considering how controversial the change has been, it’s a little wild that it’s not offering both looks to keep everyone happy. Here’s hoping Bananza and Mario Kart World are good enough to make us all forget the DK erasure.
