Mario Kart 9 Character Redesign Inspired by Super Mario Bros. Movie

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

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

The trailer for Mario Kart 9 offered only a fleeting glimpse of the game, with Donkey Kong appearing in just a few scenes and not in great detail. As such, a thorough comparison of his new design will have to wait. Fans can look forward to a more detailed reveal during the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct scheduled for April. This event promises to shed more light on the new console and its features.

The console reveal trailer provided a few tantalizing hints about the Nintendo Switch 2, focusing primarily on its aesthetics. It confirmed that the hardware will be mostly backwards compatible, introduced a mysterious new button on the Joy-Cons, and lent credence to the theory that the controller can be used as a mouse.

While the Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for a 2025 release, it's unlikely to hit the market before June. This delay is due to numerous hands-on events planned worldwide, with registration opening soon. These events will give fans an early taste of what the new console has to offer.