Many Nintendo fans do not like the new Donkey Kong redesign. For the creator of the iconic Rare DK look, the newer version feels like it was made by "real artists" compared to his original work.
Via social media, Kevin Bayliss, former character artist and designer for Rare who worked on Donkey Kong, Killer Instinct, Battletoads, and Star Fox, expressed his opinion on the new Donkey Kong design.
Responding to a post claiming the new DK is extremely expressive, using still images from Donkey Kong Bananza, the latest title featuring the giant ape set to release for the Nintendo Switch 2 as an example, Bayliss said: "Because this time it was done by real artists."
Of course, those in the know tried to express their love for the beloved and now seemingly defunct design that Nintendo continued to use for decades after its initial creation. Bayliss would expand on his thoughts, explaining that he had to adjust to using brand-new software at the time, learning on the go while developing KI and applying that knowledge to DK.
Whatever you think of the new design, even veteran Rare heads are happy that Nintendo is updating the design of one of their most iconic characters amid a surge in popularity.
With a notable lack of new mainline Mario and The Legend of Zelda games, at least during the launch window of the Switch 2, DK Bananza has the opportunity to present itself as a big system seller.
The gameplay looks ambitious, with plenty of destructible environments that work wonderfully with DK's chaotic personality that tries to solve every problem one punch at a time.
Of course, the big system seller is undeniable Mario Kart World. Donkey Kong's new look is also present here. If you're still mourning the change in artistic direction, at least take solace in the fact that the creator of the old DK himself loves this new version.