Nintendo seems to be setting the stage for another Donkey Kong adventure, if recent rumors swirling around the still-to-be-confirmed September 2023 Nintendo Direct presentation are to be believed.
The first inkling of a potential Donkey Kong resurgence came through a tweet from leaker Pyoro, known for accurately forecasting Nintendo releases in the past. The tweet showcased a gif of Donkey Kong from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, triggering excitement and anticipation.
Pyoro’s reputation has only added fuel to the fire, with past leaks coming to fruition, marking them as a credible source in the eyes of Nintendo enthusiasts.
— Pyoro (@Pyoro_X) September 8, 2023
The gaming giant renowned for its iconic franchises has a long-standing history with Donkey Kong. As a matter of fact, its legacy dates back even before Mario, the company’s poster boy, first graced our screens. The character first debuted in 1981 as an antagonist.
Over the years, this iconic gorilla has donned many hats – from playing bongos to racing cars and embarking on several escapades with Donkey Kong Junior. His widespread appeal was further reinforced by the recent Super Mario Bros Movie, where Seth Rogen lent his voice to the beloved character, adding a dash of humor.
The Donkey Kong Country series, in particular, stands as a testament to the franchise’s enduring appeal. From its initial release in 1994, the series has amassed a staggering sales record of over 65 million units, placing it alongside its iconic titles like Mario, Pikachu, and Link. However, despite such monumental success, Donkey Kong Country has rarely seen a new release. The last installment, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, was launched for the Wii U in 2014, with a port for the Nintendo Switch arriving in 2018. This sparse release schedule stands in stark contrast to the regular rollouts seen in other franchises like Super Mario Bros., Pokémon, and The Legend of Zelda.
There’s no doubt about the demand for Donkey Kong Country games. The sales of Tropical Freeze alone, which come in at just under six million copies when combining Wii U and Switch numbers, speak volumes about the potential to sell even more if given the chance.
Unfortunately, outside of the rumor mill, there’s no official mention of a new Donkey Kong game at all.
The good news is that this leak might change that. But, that’s not all that the game’s unofficial reveal hints at. The next Nintendo Direct event could also shed light on other eagerly-awaited releases, including a potential F-Zero game. The already existing influx of new game announcements for the Nintendo Switch confirms Nintendo’s robust support for its latest console even in its 7th and 8th year on the market. This is a promising direction for Nintendo to take.
Such a burst of content for a console in its twilight years all but confirms that the next Nintendo console will feature a much-wanted feature – backwards compatibility. This allows gamers to enjoy the rich library of the current console on a new platform.There’s no doubt about the demand for Donkey Kong Country games. The sales of Tropical Freeze alone, which come in at just under six million copies when combining Wii U and Switch numbers, speak volumes about the potential to sell even more if given the chance.
Unfortunately, outside of the rumor mill, there’s no official mention of a new Donkey Kong game.
Indeed, with Nintendo merging their handheld and console lines in recent outings, the world’s oldest gaming company has showcased an enviable software pipeline that has kept fans consistently engaged. This strategy, combined with the potential backward compatibility, could ensure that titles released late in the Switch’s lifecycle still have a prosperous and long shelf life on the next-generation console.
But, if not, at least the Nintendo Switch is going out with a bang, right?
The Nintendo’s sales might have slowed down compared to the numbers it posted during the COVID-19 pandemic but it remains one of the top-billing consoles on the market. It continues to set new records and close the gap between itself and the Nintendo DS as well as the PlayStation 2, which are in second and first place, respectively.
As long as the Switch welcomes a consistent line of best-selling titles, displacing either console to sell over 155 million units is within reach in a few years.
Of course, this isn’t to say Nintendo doesn’t plan on working on a next-gen console. If the rumors are to be believed, a handful of developers and press have already had a chance to test out the next Nintendo platform and it has performance comparable to the PlayStation 5.
As for Donkey Kong, whether this beloved gorilla is gearing up for another solo venture or Nintendo has other surprises up its sleeve, one thing is clear: the future looks bright for fans of the great ape and the wider Nintendo universe.
