Diddy Kong, the ever-loyal companion of Donkey Kong since Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, is sporting a new look for the Nintendo Switch 2 era—and while the changes may be minor, fans have certainly noticed.
📸 New Model, Familiar Vibes
Nintendo recently released updated promotional material (see image below), showing off redesigned models for both Donkey and Diddy Kong. Compared to the previous version, Diddy has:
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A slightly rounder belly, causing his shirt to ride higher than before
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A smoother, more expressive face with visible teeth replacing his classic gummy grin
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A hat redesign, now missing the classic Nintendo logo
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Refined fur textures and overall higher fidelity
Unlike the dramatic changes seen in Donkey Kong’s Mario Kart World revamp, Diddy’s redesign is more evolutionary than revolutionary—but still enough to stir nostalgic fans online.
🧠 A History of Minor Tweaks
The last notable update to Diddy Kong’s model came in 2021, primarily for Nintendo’s Japanese website, which improved fur rendering but didn’t alter his silhouette. This 2025 refresh may be the most characterful version yet, leaning into more expressive animation potential for modern platforms.
💬 What Fans Are Saying
Reaction online has been mostly positive, with fans praising Nintendo’s attention to detail and love for legacy characters. The model’s more dynamic, cartoonish charm fits seamlessly into the current Nintendo aesthetic.
This update may seem small, but it’s a signal: Nintendo is preparing for the next generation, and legacy characters like Diddy Kong are still very much part of the plan. Whether he’ll appear in a new Donkey Kong title, a Switch 2 launch game, or just more polished cameos, one thing is clear—Diddy’s ready for the spotlight.