"Super Mario Bros. Movie Inspires Major Mario Kart 9 Character Redesign"

Nintendo has finally unveiled the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, and alongside it, the much-awaited Mario Kart 9. Fans have been quick to notice a significant redesign of one character in particular, seemingly inspired by the design seen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The trailer showcased over a dozen characters, most of which appeared just as fans would expect. However, Donkey Kong's appearance caught everyone's attention due to its notable departure from his traditional design. For years, even decades, Donkey Kong's look has remained consistent across various games including Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, the successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a new design for the character, which Nintendo now seems to be integrating into its latest games.

Only a fleeting glimpse of Mario Kart 9 was shared, with Donkey Kong appearing in just a few scenes, and not particularly clearly. It will be some time before fans can fully compare the new design side by side with the old one, but the difference is already evident.

A more detailed look at the redesign is expected in April during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct. The console reveal trailer offered only a few hints about the Nintendo Switch 2, focusing primarily on its appearance. It confirmed that the hardware is mostly backwards compatible, introduced a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and validated a theory about using the controller as a mouse.

While the release window for the Nintendo Switch 2 is set for 2025, it's unlikely to hit the market before June at the earliest. This is due to a series of hands-on events scheduled worldwide, with registration opening soon.