Among the many storylines revolving around the Switch 2's launch ramp is Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World, but will also feature prominently in July's Donkey Kong Bananza. Diddy Kong's new design, however, is not likely to make the same waves.

The Diddy Kong redesign is quite subtle, and was revealed in a new render posted to the Nintendo Switch's news tab, as spotted by Bluesky Chris Scullion (via Nintendo Life). The redesign appears to be a combination of his previous look and his outfit from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with perhaps the most interesting change being the removal of the Nintendo logo on his hat, which has been replaced with a DK pin.

Diddy Kong Redesign Has A New Hat, Different Toes... And Teeth

Same Diddy, Only Toothier

The new Diddy Kong render was spotted in a video thumbnail in the Nintendo Switch news , thus the low resolution. At first glance, it looks a lot like the render Nintendo has been using for years – it has the exact same pose even. A discerning eye, however, will uncover some subtle differences. Aside from the hat change, his belly is a bit more rotund, and his toes have a longer shape. Oh, and Diddy Kong has teeth now.

Diddy Kong's sleeveless shirt remains unchanged, and it's unclear where this render is first going to show up in-game. Diddy Kong is not currently among new racer in Booster Course Wave 6. If he's not in Mario Kart World, then he's likely to appear in his (slightly) new form in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Our Take: A Strangely Tame Change After DK’s Controversial New Look

Apes Together Redesigned

It's hard to really call this a redesign at all; it's more of an update to Diddy Kong's existing design. It's a bit strange to see the smaller Kong undergo such a subtle alteration after DK's big makeover. Bananza seems to begin something of a new era for Donkey Kong, so it makes sense to change his look, even if it has proven divisive. DK's design has remained relatively unchanged in video games since the original Donkey Kong Country, and the Bananza design is immediately noticeable.

It seems to be heavily inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which DK fans have already knocked for its rendition of the iconic Kong. The new DK design is almost a combination of Nintendo's original design, which appeared on various Donkey Kong arcade cabinets, and Rare's design, which has carried through series other than Donkey Kong Country, like Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart. Donkey Kong's redesign seems to have been spurred by Bananza, so I can only hope a new Diddy Kong Racing is on the way to give Diddy the same treatment.

Source: Chris Scullion/Bluesky (via Nintendo Life)