It’s Still DK, Only Better!

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Summary

  • Donkey Kong Country artist Kevin Bayliss defends the character’s new Donkey Kong Bananza look, stating it’s still DK, only better looking.
  • Bayliss encourages fans to embrace change.
  • Donkey Kong Bananza will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17.

Kevin Bayliss, the artist responsible for Kong’s makeover in “Donkey Kong Country”, has stood up for the character’s new appearance in the upcoming game “Donkey Kong Bananza”. Bayliss’ work on “Donkey Kong Country” was a significant redesign for the franchise, which took place 13 years after the original game’s launch. Now, 31 years since the first game, Kong has been given a fresh look in “Donkey Kong Bananza”, a change that Bayliss supports despite stirring debates within the gaming community.

Over time, Donkey Kong’s appearance has changed as Nintendo progressed, with a modern makeover seen in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”. Yet, his recent depiction in “Donkey Kong Bananza”, one of the initial Switch 2 games, has stirred dissatisfaction among certain fans. A number of gamers have expressed a longing for the classic design from Rare, which appears to have ignited a response from one of the company’s prominent artists, who defended the developers working on the new version.

In a recent tweet, Kevin Bayliss expressed his views on the updated appearance of Donkey Kong in Bananza, justifying it by saying, “It’s still the same character, but more appealing.” He contended that everything gets better with time, drawing upon his 40 years in the industry to back up his assertion. Bayliss further encouraged fans to accept change, hinting that Donkey Kong might undergo more cosmetic enhancements in the future to remain contemporary and fresh.

Kevin Bayliss Defends Kong’s New Character Design

In the continuation of his Twitter post, Bayliss applauded the latest Donkey Kong as a flawless progression, stressing the necessity of preserving classic elements. He stated, “Progression, while honoring the original, is an art form, but it should be done subtly, and in my view, this new edition hits the mark.” Below his comment, numerous supporters have voiced their approval, with some believing a revamp was essential for Donkey Kong, and that this fresh version will undoubtedly win over admirers.

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that Donkey Kong’s new look in “Bananza” is incredibly expressive. In response to a comment about this, Bayliss playfully suggested that it’s because Donkey Kong was crafted by real artists, perhaps subtly poking fun at AI-generated art in AAA games like “Call of Duty.

For those eager to jump into the revamped world of Donkey Kong, you won’t have to wait too much longer! The highly anticipated title, Bananza, is scheduled for release on July 17, just a month following the global unveiling of the Switch 2. Alongside DK’s updated appearance, Donkey Kong Bananza will unveil an array of fresh features, gameplay elements, and unique characters that may lay the groundwork for future franchise pillars.

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2025-04-03 17:25