Diddy Kong, the companion of sometimes-uncle Donkey Kong ever since the days of the games on the SNES, is getting a new makeover for the Nintendo Switch 2 era of gaming. Diddy's design has stayed pretty consistent since his introduction in 1994's Donkey Kong Country, and while his larger ape companion is going through a much larger transformation, fans will have to look closer to see Diddy's changes.
The last big update to Diddy Kong's appearance wasn't even for a game, but for Nintendo's Japanese website. The character's redesign in 2021 didn't make any sweeping changes, simply adding some higher-texture rendering to his fur patterns.
Related
Donkey Kong Bananza’s Rumored Multiplayer Would Be a Logical Progression After Super Mario Odyssey
Donkey Kong Bananza seems to be taking inspiration from Super Mario Odyssey, and a rumor reveals that this could include its multiplayer modes.
New imagery of Diddy Kong has begun circulating from Nintendo, showing off his more modern look. Just like in past iterations, the little monkey still sports a red t-shirt and ball cap, although his hat no longer bears the classic Nintendo logo. He also seems to have gotten just a little rounder in the midsection, as his belly juts out slightly further than before, and his shirt now rides up around his abdomen. But the biggest change of all seems to be the addition of teeth to his formerly gummy open-mouthed smile. Overall, it's not nearly as drastic a transition as the Mario Kart World transformation of Donkey Kong, which fans first spotted in a trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 released in January.
Diddy's much more subtle transformation may be the result of fan response to Donkey Kong's new look for the Switch 2. The big ape now has much more highly-animated eyes with a brow to match, and his fur looks to be quite a bit shaggier than before, reflecting his appearance in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Fans have been pretty divided since the reveal of Donkey Kong's latest makeover, with some approving of his more amicable appearance and others missing his sleeker musculature and steely-eyed gaze. Despite the divide, Nintendo seems committed to the change, so fans should get used to both Donkey and Diddy Kong's new looks.
At this stage, it's not entirely clear when fans will see this newly redesigned version of Diddy Kong in a video game. He's unlikely to be a playable character in Mario Kart World, as he's been absent from the leaks and official reveals of the game's cast of at least 50 different racers. It's more likely he'll be featured in Donkey Kong Bananza, which is set for release on July 17.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Systems
- July 17, 2025
- Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Nintendo
- Nintendo
- Single-player
- July 17, 2025
The big guy is back! Donkey Kong swings onto the Nintendo Switch 2 system with a brand-new action adventure.
Help Donkey Kong make his way through the depths of the Underground World. The deeper he goes, the more amazing places he finds! There's no shortage of things DK can pulverize with his powerful punches. Break on through this truly destructive adventure.
Behold the golden bananas! The mysterious group, known as VoidCo, has its eyes on this prized bunch. But no one messes with DK's favourite food!
Golden bananas? The whole island was buzzing about the discovery of this tasty treasure. But then, distaster struck! During the chaos, VoidCo stole every breathtaking bunch of bananas. Now Donkey Kong must venture deep underground to get them back!
