Donkey Kong Redesign: Miyamoto Explains the New Look
By Sofia Delgado | May 21, 2025
In a new interview with IGN, legendary Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto discussed the Donkey Kong redesign and the design evolution of Diddy Kong. His comments came during promotional coverage for Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, which features the new character models alongside Nintendo’s latest game efforts.
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Miyamoto explained that his involvement in character design remains hands-on, tracing the lineage from Rare’s Donkey Kong Country models to Jungle Beat and now into a “new generation” of design that ties across media — including games and film.
“We reevaluated the design to make Donkey Kong more expressive,” he said. “From posture to silhouette to facial range, we wanted the updated versions to feel warm and powerful — not just for players, but for film audiences too.”
Above: The redesigned Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong models featured in games, films, and Universal’s upcoming theme park
Donkey Kong Redesign Timeline: From Jungle Beat to Epic Universe
Miyamoto also reflected on Jungle Beat — a turning point in DK’s animation, where Nintendo’s 3D Mario team helped reimagine how the character moved. Those lessons now shape how DK is animated for both gameplay and cutscenes, blending warmth with power.
Diddy Kong’s updates were also driven by expression — from posture adjustments to eye and jaw movement. “Even small characters,” Miyamoto said, “deserve room to grow visually.”
This interview offers the clearest insight yet into the Donkey Kong redesign Miyamoto helped shape — one rooted in subtle changes, not sweeping overhauls.
Final Thoughts
Donkey Kong’s new look doesn’t rewrite the character — it clarifies him. The evolution is subtle, expressive, and built to travel across media. Whether in a Switch 2 game or on a theme park ride, this is the DK Nintendo wants us to remember. The Donkey Kong redesign Miyamoto guided reflects a unified vision across all fronts.
🔗 Related: Read our breakdown of Donkey Kong’s 3D legacy and where it could go next.
