Amidst a swirl of fan criticism regarding the revamped appearance of Donkey Kong in the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2, former Rare artist Kevin Bayliss, who has a significant history with the character, expresses his approval of the design change. This title sees the return of the beloved barrel-smashing gorilla but introduces a fresh visual direction that has sparked lively debate among Nintendo enthusiasts.
Bayliss, known for his contributions to the character’s redesign in Donkey Kong Country, voiced his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter) as reported by VGC. He remarked, “It’s still DK, only better looking,” urging fans to “embrace change more.”His closing thoughts shared an optimistic message: “All good things get better with age,”and he encouraged everyone to warmly welcome the new Donkey Kong.
… I don’t understand why there’s any debate to be had. It’s still DK, only better looking. People need to embrace change more! All good things get better with age (I would say that though – since I’ve been doing this for almost 40 years now) Everyone give a big warm welcome for… pic.twitter.com/rEGmFsC4fJ — Kevin Bayliss (@Kev_Bayliss) April 3, 2025
Understanding Donkey Kong’s New Look
The Evolution of Donkey Kong
This latest redesign is not Donkey Kong’s first. The character has undergone a significant transformation since his initial pixelated depiction in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong. In subsequent versions, such as the Game Boy adaptation, he acquired defining traits, including expressive facial features and his signature necktie. The look we recognize today was firmly established with Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, thanks to Bayliss’s artistic vision, and has persisted for nearly two decades.
The most considerable evolution yet came with the 2023 release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which infused the character with vibrant animation, showcasing his expressive capabilities like never before. Now, Donkey Kong Bananza is bringing forth yet another reinterpretation, introducing a more cartoony, expressive, and exaggerated style. While this updated design maintains a connection to his iconic predecessors, it undoubtedly marks a departure from the classic imagery, leading to varied reactions from dedicated fans who have grown fond of Bayliss’s representation.
The Controversy of Character Redesigns
Protecting Our Nostalgia
The debate surrounding Donkey Kong’s redesign is emblematic of a more extensive issue: the emotional connections many players have with childhood icons. This uproar is not unique to Donkey Kong; similar responses would arise if any classic Nintendo character underwent a visual makeover. For instance, envisioning Link from the Zelda series with dark hair instead of his iconic blonde locks, or a sudden height increase for Mario, would likely incite strong reactions from fans.
Change is an unavoidable aspect of life, particularly regarding art and long-standing franchises. Bayliss emphasizes the likelihood of future adjustments to Donkey Kong’s design, suggesting, “20 years from now, he’ll probably receive another ‘nip and tuck’ here and there to keep him fresh and current.”Perhaps Donkey Kong Bananza signals a new chapter for the character, one that future generations will come to appreciate as they look back fondly on this latest design.
Sources:
Kevin Bayliss/X,
VGC