Nintendo has showcased its revamped search for Diddy Kong, after beforehand altering the corporate's decades-old design for his greater pal Donkey Kong.
Earlier this 12 months, Nintendo fans noticed some distinct changes had been made to Donkey Kong's look inside official art work for the character, in addition to in early Mario Kart World footage.
Now, Nintendo has given us a take a look at some modifications to Diddy Kong as properly, through art work from the corporate's web site and model photographs on show at Licensing Expo 2025, which is at present happening in Las Vegas.
As noticed by Nintendo Life, the next photographs show a barely more cartoony tackle Diddy, with more rounded eyes and a cheekier, friendlier smile.
Attendees on the Licensing Expo 2025, an occasion for manufacturers to showcase their franchises and secure merchandising and partnership offers, may see the new-look Diddy (and Donkey) Kong there, as seen in photographs from attendee Cptn_Alex on social media.
Nintendo has not commented on the modifications to Diddy Kong, and earlier Donkey Kong, although the alterations have extensively been linked to the character's look within the profitable The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Even Princess Peach has been given a slight redesign. The Mushroom Kingdom's ruler had her look switched on the field of her Switch game Princess Peach: Showtime! to an look more just like her large display model, IGN sister website Eurogamer beforehand famous.
Of course this put up is popping off lmao. Here’s a higher take a look at the brand new render 🙂
through Nintendo sales space @ Licensing Expo pic.twitter.com/QzxJOWs9gF
— CptnAlex (@Cptn_Alex) May 20, 2025
Donkey Kong will subsequent take centre stage within the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 title Donkey Kong Bananza, and whereas his sidekick Diddy Kong has but to be confirmed, the inclusion of different Kong relations similar to Cranky Kong — and Nintendo going to the difficulty of sharpening up Diddy Kong's look now — would level to it being very potential.
And then there's the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel, which looks to be titled Super Mario World. After Donkey Kong's main presence within the first movie (and a cameo from Diddy Kong), it appears seemingly we'll be seeing more of Nintendo's great apes there, redesign and all.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can attain Tom at [email protected] or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social