Former Donkey Kong Artist Insists Fans Need To Embrace Change For New Design
Donkey Kong's former designer has welcomed the character's latest look.
After a quick look during the first Mario Kart World sizzle reel and leaked merchandise, we finally got a full look at Donkey Kong's new design for the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza. The brow was scaled back, giving him a kinder, rounder look closer to his design in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It's not the first time Donkey Kong has been given a facelift. Originally looking like King Kong, he was completely overhauled with Rare's Donkey Kong Country franchise, and was designed by artist Kevin Bayliss.
As with any redesign, no matter how mild or extreme, some fans have welcomed the new look while others aren't going bananas for it. Bayliss took to social media to say not only did he like the design, but that fans should embrace the change.
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"I don't understand why there's any debate to be had," Bayliss posted. "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 the new DK!"
Bayliss, who was in charge of redesigning the iconic video game character, gave DK a necktie, a subtle hair wave, smaller nostrils, and a furrowed brow that always made him look slightly perturbed. He insists that evolution should be a good thing, and this probably won't be the last time, either.
"Let's remember, 20 years from now he'll probably receive another 'nip and tuck' here and there to keep him fresh and current," he continued. "Look at early Mickey Mouse compared to modern Mickey Mouse. Evolution, while being sympathetic to the original, is an art--but it has to be done gradually, and this latest incarnation is perfect in my opinion. But everyone has their own special Kong."
Donkey Kong Bananza arrives on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17. From the bit of the demo we played of Bananza, Donkey Kong has never looked better in video game form, and the game may just be his 3D platformer redemption.
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