Nintendo has recently unveiled a fresh, updated appearance for Diddy Kong, following a similar redesign for his well-known companion, Donkey Kong. Earlier this year, fans observed noticeable modifications in Donkey Kong's design in official artwork and early footage of Mario Kart World. Now, Diddy Kong has received his own visual update, showcased through artwork on Nintendo's website and at the Licensing Expo 2025 in Las Vegas.
As reported by Nintendo Life, the new images of Diddy Kong present a more whimsical and cartoonish style, featuring rounder eyes and a playful, cheerful smile. Visitors at the Licensing Expo 2025, an event dedicated to showcasing franchises and forging merchandising and partnership deals, have also had the opportunity to see the revamped Diddy and Donkey Kong in person, as shared by attendee Cptn_Alex on social media.
Image credit: Nintendo.
Image credit: Nintendo.
Although Nintendo has not officially commented on the changes to Diddy Kong and the earlier alterations to Donkey Kong, these updates are widely believed to align with the character designs seen in the successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Furthermore, even Princess Peach has experienced a subtle redesign, with her appearance on the box of the Switch game Princess Peach: Showtime! resembling her portrayal in the movie, as previously noted by IGN's sister site, Eurogamer.
Of course this post is popping off lmao. Here’s a better look at the new render :) via Nintendo booth @ Licensing Expo pic.twitter.com/QzxJOWs9gF
— CptnAlex (@Cptn_Alex) May 20, 2025
Donkey Kong is set to star in the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game, Donkey Kong Bananza. Although Diddy Kong's inclusion has not yet been confirmed, the presence of other Kong family members like Cranky Kong, combined with the recent updates to Diddy's design, suggests a high likelihood of his involvement. Additionally, with the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel, tentatively titled Super Mario World, and considering Donkey Kong's significant role in the first film alongside a cameo from Diddy Kong, it seems probable that we will see more of Nintendo's beloved primates, sporting their new looks, in the cinematic sequel.
