Nintendo’s Bananza Highlights Donkey Kong’s New Look
▼ Summary
– Donkey Kong’s prominently rendered butt is a noticeable feature in the new Nintendo Switch 2 game *Donkey Kong Bananza*, especially in the Kong Bananza transformation.
– Social media has highlighted DK’s exaggerated posterior, partly due to black markings resembling an arrow pointing to it.
– Donkey Kong’s butt has been a recurring focus in past media, including the *Super Mario* movie and older Nintendo marketing materials.
– Nintendo producer Kenta Motokura admitted the team considered DK’s rear view during development, leading to outfit designs to avoid visual monotony.
– The prominence of DK’s butt may stem from gameplay mechanics emphasizing his strength, as seen in *Bananza* and the *Super Mario* movie.
Nintendo’s latest Donkey Kong adventure puts the iconic ape’s backside in the spotlight, sparking conversations among fans and raising questions about character design choices through the years. The newly released Donkey Kong Bananza for Nintendo Switch 2 features remarkably detailed animations, with players noticing particular attention paid to the muscular primate’s posterior during gameplay.
The third-person perspective naturally keeps DK’s back visible throughout most of the adventure, but things escalate when players unlock the Kong Bananza transformation, a power-up that enhances the character’s size and strength. In this beefed-up state, every part of Donkey Kong’s physique becomes more pronounced, including his notably sculpted backside. The design even incorporates subtle black markings that draw further attention, leading to widespread reactions across social media platforms.
This isn’t the first time Nintendo has emphasized the character’s physique. Longtime fans might recall similar discussions during the Super Mario Bros. Movie, where Seth Rogen’s portrayal of DK featured a similarly prominent silhouette. Historical examples stretch back decades, from the Donkey Kong Country animated series in the ’90s to official Super Smash Bros. promotional material. The consistency suggests this might be more than coincidence.
An interview with Nintendo producer Kenta Motokura adds fuel to the fire. When discussing character animations, he mentioned the team paid special attention to how DK appears from behind during movement. The reasoning? To avoid a “monotonous visual” of brown fur, though players seem far from bored by the results.
While some joke about a potential “butt agenda” at Nintendo, there’s a practical explanation. Donkey Kong’s strength and physicality are central to his character, whether he’s demolishing obstacles in-game or trading blows in the Mario universe. The exaggerated proportions reinforce his raw power, making the design choice more than just a visual quirk.
Whether intentional or not, DK’s enduring backside prominence has become an amusing footnote in gaming culture. With rumors of a standalone Donkey Kong film in development, it’ll be interesting to see if this trend continues, or if Nintendo decides to shift focus elsewhere.
Images: Nintendo promotional material, film stills, and game captures showcasing Donkey Kong’s evolving design over the years.
(Source: polygon)
