With all the buzz around Donkey Kong’s fresh appearance in Donkey Kong Bananza, an artist decided to take matters into their own hands. They imagined what Donkey Kong might look like in the upcoming Switch 2 game, sticking to his classic style.
Felipe Valdés wasn’t keen on DK’s portrayal in Bananza. On April 20, they shared an edited version on X, tweaking some of Donkey Kong’s more peculiar expressions to align with Rare’s original design. Valdés invited feedback, eager to see how fans would react.
The changes focused on giving DK a smaller mouth and sharper eyebrows, contrasting his more exaggerated features in Bananza. While the current version of Donkey Kong is playful and animated, Valdés’ creation harks back to the more rugged look from games like Donkey Kong Country. As someone nostalgic for the old days, I lean towards this retro charm, although I do see the appeal in Nintendo’s playful, more ape-inspired animations in Bananza.
It’s crucial to remember that these edits are static images. As striking as they are, they might not fit the artistic direction Nintendo aimed for with Bananza. Valdés’ passion and dedication to this project are commendable, but creating a video game involves many complex, behind-the-scenes efforts. While some may wish for the classic look, we shouldn’t overlook the hard work of the Bananza team. The game has a lot to offer visually and creatively.
