The game often called “Mario Kart 9” is officially Mario Kart World, Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch 2 game. Donkey Kong’s redesign was developed during work on Donkey Kong Bananza: Nintendo says the team sought a look that better conveyed his identity and appeal, and that design also informed his appearance in Mario Kart World. (Nintendo’s April 17, 2025 announcement; Nintendo’s developer interview)
Why did Donkey Kong’s design change?
Nintendo’s explanation starts with Donkey Kong Bananza, not with Mario Kart World or the movie. In a July 15, 2025 interview, Bananza producer Kenta Motokura said the game’s development sparked a design he felt better conveyed the “new Donkey Kong.” He added that the resulting basic design was used in the recent movie and in Mario Kart World. (Nintendo’s Ask the Developer interview)
Art director Daisuke Watanabe described the aim as getting to the character’s essential identity and bringing out the traits that make him distinctive. “We strove for a design that would get to the core of what makes Donkey Kong who he is, bringing out his unique characteristics and appeal,” Watanabe said. Motokura summarized the origin this way: “Donkey Kong Bananza sparked the creation of a design which I think better conveys the new Donkey Kong.”
What did the developers consider?
The team looked across Donkey Kong’s earlier portrayals and consulted people who had drawn him in the past. Their discussion covered how his build, expressive face, and recognizable pointed hair contribute to the character. They also considered his strong screen presence and the way his back could read as visually monotonous, along with design choices involving trousers, suspenders, and fuller-looking fur. These are the developers’ stated considerations, not a claim that every visual change has one isolated explanation.
#1 Best Overall
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
That makes “they made him look like the movie” an incomplete explanation. Nintendo says Bananza’s development sparked the new design, which was then carried into both the movie and Mario Kart World. The interview explains the design’s origin and purpose; it does not say every future Donkey Kong appearance must use it.
What is Mario Kart 9 called officially?
Nintendo’s official name for the released game is Mario Kart World, not Mario Kart 9. Nintendo announced it for Nintendo Switch 2 on April 17, 2025, with a June 5, 2025 release date, and confirmed its launch on that date. It features Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, Free Roam, and Battle Mode, with races for up to 24 participants. (Nintendo’s announcement; Nintendo’s launch announcement)
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enjoy two Mario adventures solo or with friends
- In Super Mario 3D World, choose a character each with distinct playstyles as you dash and climb through dozens of colorful courses, collecting Green Stars and power-ups along the way
- Cooperate (and compete) with friends locally or online to reach each stage’s goal. A crown is awarded to the highest-scoring player, making for a friendly frenzy
- In addition to added multiplayer options, the Nintendo Switch version of the Super Mario 3D World game has been improved with faster character speeds and more
- Explore a seamless feline world in Lake Lapcat, complete objectives to collect Cat Shines, and defeat a giant Bowser in the new Bowser’s Fury adventure
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- Save $37.98 on everything you need to play with this bundle
- Includes Nintendo Switch 2, the most powerful Nintendo system yet
- Includes the Mario Kart World digital game download
- 3 months of Nintendo Switch Online included for online play and more
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
Rank #3
![Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zaiyfzDeL._SL160_.jpg)
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
Rank #2
- [SEAMLESS OPEN WORLD] Experience an interconnected racing environment with zero loading screens between courses. Navigate a massive world featuring 24-hour dynamic day/night cycles and shifting weather patterns that directly impact vehicle traction and handling across mountains and cities.
- [ADVANCED RACING MECHANICS] Master all-new maneuvers including high-speed rail riding, wall jumping, and tactical water skimming. These next-gen traversal abilities allow players to discover hidden shortcuts and alternate routes within a 100% seamless world-map architecture.
- [24-PLAYER ELIMINATION MODE] Compete in the high-stakes Knockout Tour, an adrenaline-packed 24-driver elimination mode where racers are removed checkpoint by checkpoint. Supports up to 24-player online multiplayer with integrated GameChat for real-time social coordination.
- [NEXT-GEN TECHNICAL SPECS] Optimized exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system to deliver stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution in docked mode and a locked 60FPS frame rate. Features enhanced texture mapping and global illumination for the most immersive visual experience in series history.
- [OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION] Step away from the Grand Prix in the all-new Free Roam mode to wander the world at your own pace. Discover hidden surprises, unlockable vehicle parts, and brand-new drivers across diverse biomes including dense forests and sprawling urban landscapes.
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