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Nintendo has revealed Diddy Kong's refreshed appearance, following the recent redesign of his longtime companion Donkey Kong.
Earlier this year, fans noticed subtle but distinct changes to Donkey Kong's look in official character artwork and early Mario Kart World footage.
Now, Nintendo has unveiled similar updates for Diddy Kong through artwork on its website and promotional materials displayed at Licensing Expo 2025, currently underway in Las Vegas.
As reported by Nintendo Life, these images present a slightly more cartoonish version of Diddy Kong, featuring rounder eyes and a more playful, friendly smile.
Attendees at Licensing Expo 2025 - an event where brands showcase their franchises for merchandising and partnership opportunities - can see the revamped Diddy Kong (along with Donkey Kong) in person, as seen in social media photos shared by attendee Cptn_Alex.
While Nintendo hasn't officially commented on Diddy Kong's redesign or Donkey Kong's earlier update, these changes are widely believed to align with the characters' appearances in the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Even Princess Peach has received a subtle makeover. The Mushroom Kingdom's ruler had her box art for Princess Peach: Showtime! updated to more closely resemble her cinematic counterpart, as previously noted by IGN's sister site Eurogamer.
Of course this post is gaining traction. Here's a clearer look at the new render :)
— CptnAlex (@Cptn_Alex) May 20, 2025
via Nintendo booth @ Licensing Expo pic.twitter.com/QzxJOWs9gF
Donkey Kong will next star in the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 title Donkey Kong Bananza. While Diddy Kong's involvement hasn't been confirmed, the inclusion of other Kong family members like Cranky Kong - combined with Nintendo's current efforts to refresh Diddy's appearance - suggests his participation is quite likely.
The upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel, reportedly titled Super Mario World, also promises more Kong appearances. Following Donkey Kong's significant role in the first film (and Diddy Kong's cameo), we can expect to see more of Nintendo's iconic apes, complete with their updated designs.
