Amidst all the buzz about Donkey Kong’s updated appearance in Donkey Kong Bananza, an artist decided to take a creative spin on what the famous ape might look like in the upcoming Switch 2 game if Nintendo had kept the older design style.
“I’m not a fan of DK’s portrayal in Bananza, so I modified some of his unusual expressions to align more with Rare’s original design,” shared Felipe Valdés in an initial X post on April 20, inviting feedback from followers.
Valdés focused on reducing Donkey Kong’s oversized mouth and giving his expression a more classic, stern look by altering the brows.
In Bananza, Donkey Kong is portrayed as a lively and goofy character, but Valdés’ version brings back the tougher vibe seen in the old-school Donkey Kong Country games. For someone like me who resists change, that old-school style is appealing, though I also recognize Nintendo’s efforts to inject more playful charm into Bananza’s animations.
It’s important to remember, though, that Valdés worked with static images. These designs might not fit perfectly with the artistic direction Nintendo pursued for Bananza. While I admire and respect the effort Valdés put into this artistic endeavor, transforming those edits into a fully developed game is an entirely different challenge. Even if some fans lean towards the classic look, it’s crucial to appreciate the hard work that went into Bananza. The game still offers a visually impressive experience.
