The recent announcement surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked considerable excitement, particularly with the reveal of a new Mario Kart game. Although details are scarce at this stage, a brief gameplay clip offers a glimpse into what players can expect, including significant gameplay enhancements and a fresh take on a beloved character.
the official announcement for the Nintendo Switch 2 has now been made, and the first confirmed title is a fresh Mario Kart installment, featured in a short preview during the announcement. The visuals appear akin to Mario Kart 8, but this version boasts an impressive capacity for up to 24 participants and introduces a new circuit that could potentially have an open-world design.
While the gameplay clip remains brief and lacks specific details—such as the game’s name—it has confirmed a striking transformation for Donkey Kong. Observant viewers will notice that Donkey Kong has undergone a substantial redesign: his limbs are more prominent and appear disproportionate, while his fur color has darkened significantly, aligning more closely with his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
This new design marks a departure from the established visual identity of Donkey Kong, which was initially crafted by Kevin Bayliss from Rare three decades ago for Donkey Kong Country. The original look has been recognized since the classic 1981 arcade game and has persisted through to Donkey Kong Country Returns, even though it deviated from Miyamoto's original depiction.
With this new generation of consoles, it appears that Nintendo is aiming to reconnect with its iconic mascot, opting to adopt the modern look inspired by the recent film, which some fans have received with mixed feelings. This transformation might suggest that an entirely new game, developed by Nintendo's Japanese studios, could also be expected to emerge soon for the Switch 2. Perhaps more information will be unveiled in April, increasing anticipation for the upcoming title.