It’s not like DK hasn’t had redesigns. Most gamers remember his appearance from the 90’s, as that’s been used for over three decades, but he didn’t always look that way. When the gorilla debuted in 1981, he looked drastically different. It was only with Rare and 1994’s Donkey Kong Country that we got the design we know and love. And even then, he’s had tweaks over the years.
While I love the Rare design, it makes sense to revise it. Mascots go through changes constantly, and DK hasn’t updated his look in 31 years. That might not seem like a long time, but remember that Mickey Mouse had several updates in his first 31 years. Compare his appearance in Steamboat Willie to his appearance in Fantasia. Ignoring the redesigns in-between, that was a huge difference! And it was only 12-years!
Character redesigns happen frequently, and Donkey Kong’s no different. I’m actually surprised it didn’t happen sooner, and more frequently, given how many games he’s been in since 1994. It seems overdue. And if it’s a surprise? Well…that’s why most gamers aren’t in marketing.
I don’t mind the redesign. It might take getting used to, but it’s much more expressive to work with. We’ve seen that with the gameplay footage of Donkey Kong Bananza, which is releasing in July of this year. The new model has eyes and arms that are easier to work with than the Rare design, which was showing its limitations. And yes, it does feel largely inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie, particularly in the eyes. But is that necessarily bad?
People forget that redesigns are often calculated decisions. They don’t always work, but they’re not accidents. Link goes through drastic redesigns with almost every new Zelda game, and some are drastic. But while the Hylian hero might always reinvent himself, he’s still quintessentially-Link. That much isn’t changing.
So why’s the new design for Donkey Kong controversial? My guess is that an entire generation of gamers grew up with his Rare model. Remember, people are averse to change. #NotMyDonkeyKong, as the mantra goes. But while it might make sense to be against this redesign superficially, it’s still the same character. He loves eating bananas and punching enemies, and he enjoys go-karting. If the change is a dealbreaker for some, then it’s their loss!
People forget that redesigns are often calculated decisions. They don’t always work, but they’re not accidents. Link goes through drastic redesigns with almost every new Zelda game, and some are drastic. But while the Hylian hero might always reinvent himself, he’s still quintessentially-Link. That much isn’t changing.
So why’s the new design for Donkey Kong controversial? My guess is that an entire generation of gamers grew up with his Rare model. Remember, people are averse to change. #NotMyDonkeyKong, as the mantra goes. But while it might make sense to be against this redesign superficially, it’s still the same character. He loves eating bananas and punching enemies, and he enjoys go-karting. If the change is a dealbreaker for some, then it’s their loss!
Perhaps there’s some animosity over Nintendo’s push of this redesign, enough that it seems like there’s been retroactive scrubbing of older ones? While I won’t deny how that feels like revisionist history, it’s also not new. Cereal mascots change all the time, and that includes phasing out older variants. Millennials like myself remember the 90’s versions of Tony the Tiger and Snap, Crackle and Pop, but they were redesigns of their classic iterations from 30 and 40 years prior. And they’ve been changed since for younger generations. DK getting a redesign’s another example of that.
Maybe there’s even frustration over abandoning Rare’s design? I get being attached to them, especially since they once made great games, but Donkey Kong existed before Rare breathed new life into him. Rare might’ve given him his look, but they never owned him. They simply put a then-new spin on him, and not everything about the IP stayed consistent once Rare was purchased by Microsoft. (Need I remind everyone that Diddy Kong used to have Rare’s logo on his cap?)
Being attached to something that no longer exists, while fun, isn’t healthy. Yes, Rare made great games…but that was over 20 years ago. A lot has changed, including most of the original team leaving the studio. That they struck gold with Nintendo’s simian may not have been an accident, but that doesn’t mean Nintendo hasn’t made good games with him since. They might be different, but they exist!
Maybe there’s even frustration over abandoning Rare’s design? I get being attached to them, especially since they once made great games, but Donkey Kong existed before Rare breathed new life into him. Rare might’ve given him his look, but they never owned him. They simply put a then-new spin on him, and not everything about the IP stayed consistent once Rare was purchased by Microsoft. (Need I remind everyone that Diddy Kong used to have Rare’s logo on his cap?)
Being attached to something that no longer exists, while fun, isn’t healthy. Yes, Rare made great games…but that was over 20 years ago. A lot has changed, including most of the original team leaving the studio. That they struck gold with Nintendo’s simian may not have been an accident, but that doesn’t mean Nintendo hasn’t made good games with him since. They might be different, but they exist!
I think this really boils down to gamers looking for reasons to complain. This also happened with the redesign of Princess Peach for Princess Peach: Showtime!, and it was ridiculous there too. People are turning nitpicks into their entire personalities, even though it’s nonsensical. Because it’s not healthy to focus on these trivial details, even if it feels good in the moment. I wish that was widely-understood.
Personally, while I don’t mind the new look, I understand being apprehensive. Not only have I had a mental image of what DK’s looked like since I was 4, hence it’s jarring seeing such a drastic change, but I’ll have to readjust to this design. It’ll take time to get used to, as I still see Donkey Kong through a Rare lens. But it’ll happen. And it’ll happen with the complainers if they give it a chance. I hope they do.
Personally, while I don’t mind the new look, I understand being apprehensive. Not only have I had a mental image of what DK’s looked like since I was 4, hence it’s jarring seeing such a drastic change, but I’ll have to readjust to this design. It’ll take time to get used to, as I still see Donkey Kong through a Rare lens. But it’ll happen. And it’ll happen with the complainers if they give it a chance. I hope they do.
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