By Cap’s off
- by Alana Hagues
Diddy Kong has been notably absent from much of Nintendo’s promotional content, particularly concerning the Switch 2. At least he appeared when Donkey Kong Country Returns HD released in January…?
Anyway, the significant question on everyone’s mind when Donkey Kong was showcased in Mario Kart World earlier this January, flaunting a completely new look, was: will Diddy Kong experience a similar transformation?
Well, the verdict is indeed positive — Diddy Kong has received a vibrant redesign, as confirmed on the Nintendo News tab on Switch. You can spot him alongside the quirky Donkey Kong we’ve become familiar with in recent times.
Here’s a quick comparison we crafted.
As illustrated, Diddy’s undergone a much more subtle transformation compared to his uncle DK — his stomach appears slightly rounder than in his previous design, and now he sports teeth (sorry). Yet, the most significant change could be his revamped cap, which now showcases a DK pin on the side instead of the former white Nintendo logo.
Interestingly, this aspect of Diddy’s redesign seems to draw inspiration from his appearance in the Super Mario Bros. Movie, as noted by our site friend and NL contributor Chris Scullion.
Naturally, this prompts yet another question — when can we expect to see Diddy’s new look in a game? DK’s nephew hasn’t been confirmed for Mario Kart World yet, and from what we gather, he hasn’t emerged in Donkey Kong Bananza. Surely this is where we’ll spot him next, right?
We’re eagerly anticipating your return, Diddy Kong!
Share your thoughts on Diddy’s new design in the comments.
Alana has been a part of Nintendo Life since 2022, and though RPGs hold her heart, Nintendo is a close second. She thrives on meticulously analyzing battle strategies, characters, and narratives. Additionally, she dreams of being a Sega air pirate.