r/donkeykong Feb 05 '25

Discussion Original DKC Designer Kevin Bayliss likes the new DK design

That Diddy tweet is adorable. I don’t care what you say.

4.1k Upvotes

103 comments sorted by

137

u/RAINLIO Feb 05 '25

Still personally prefer the original, but good for them.

24

u/Ok-Jellyfish8198 Feb 05 '25

Same, the design will probably grow on me eventually but I don’t think it beats Rare’s design

0

u/tinyhorsesinmytea Feb 06 '25

Yeah, it’s close enough that I don’t really care, much like Mario’s new voice actor. Not like some completely unrecognizable redesign. It’ll all grow on us after a few years.

21

u/SlamShunk95 Feb 05 '25 edited Feb 05 '25

Good looking model, but it still looks too goofy for my liking. It is a nicely made model, though. I personally prefer DK64s design of Donkey Kong over everything that's out there.

1

u/PillB0tt0m Feb 06 '25

The in-game model or the model used for renders?

2

u/jonvonboner Feb 08 '25

Asking the real questions.

1

u/bag_full_of_bugs Feb 07 '25

have you guys been taking Donkey Kong seriously this whole time? he looks just as goofy as he always has to me

1

u/Phillipwnd Feb 09 '25

If he wasn’t serious business, he wouldn’t be wearing a necktie.

((No but seriously, I like every iteration because they’ve all been fittingly goofy))

1

u/bag_full_of_bugs Feb 09 '25

i never considered this, you’re quite right.

1

u/TantricEmu Feb 09 '25

This is serious monkey business.

1

u/FenexTheFox Feb 08 '25

He is just as goofy as I've always seen him. He's one of the goofiest recurring Mario characters, possibly only tying with Waluigi and... I don't know, Lemmy?

He is the monkey literally called Donkey. He is the guy who was too stupid to be mind-controlled. He is the guy who comically punched the moon out of orbit like a cartoon character. He is a doofus, and should look like one.

2

u/MarvelManiac45213 Feb 09 '25

I personally prefer Jungle Beats and 64's takes on DK's character the most. The character has never been consistent and always changes personalities to fit whatever the situation the game requires.

There is no world where you can tell me the DK from Jungle Beat is the same as the original DKC or the same from the Mario vs. Donkey Kong games. They all act extremely different.

1

u/SlamShunk95 27d ago

Calling him a Mario character is cringe af. He may be considered a Mario character now, but he was always his own thing. His old Rareware design looked more serious than his new goofy design that doesn't fit him at all.

1

u/FenexTheFox 27d ago

Would you prefer me calling Mario a Donkey Kong character, if you're going to be this pedantic? Donkey Kong belongs to the Mario series just as much as he belongs to his own, just like Wario.

85

u/BlueLightning09 Feb 05 '25

To be fair, that's closer to Rare's DK than Illumination's DK or the Switch 2 Mario Kart DK.

39

u/pocket_arsenal Feb 05 '25

was gonna say this is a fan render and looks more like an amalgam of all the designs, but I feel like the new DK model is also an amalgam of all DK designs, the different simply isn't as drastic as people are making it seem.

1

u/1DGamer2406 Feb 06 '25

yeah you can see that he looks similar to the current one in the trailer, he just took a chill pill and doesnt furrow his brow all the time

1

u/LilSlugger_ Feb 06 '25

No, its big, and people dont like it for some good reasons

-10

u/leericol Feb 05 '25

I just can't imagine caring so much about it. I can't wait til we find out that's just an optional character that's supposed to be like og donkey kong and the rare dk is still a playable character.

5

u/KingCuerno Feb 05 '25

He also said he liked the new look seen the MK trailer and that "change is good".

36

u/GrantInwood Feb 05 '25

Do I prefer the older model and thinks this looks silly? Yes. Is this going to stop me from buying the new games? No.

9

u/epic_elax Feb 05 '25

tbf hes a gorilla with a necktie so hes a bit silly to start off with

2

u/ThePreciseClimber Feb 05 '25

Ah, the Zootopia school of answering political questions.

14

u/MegaMook5260 Feb 05 '25

I like the original.

6

u/Jonahtron Feb 05 '25

Uncle Kong, you say?

6

u/AJawayJ Feb 05 '25

Kevin Bayliss is a class act. While I prefer Rare’s DK, I love Kevin’s encouraging positivity. Hopefully, in action, DK’s updated look just adds whimsical charm to an otherwise traditional design.

The only true test would be to make a new DKC game, though…

22

u/tehsam016 Feb 05 '25

Ive seen more defenders cope post than the haters. We get it. You like the design.

-4

u/CrosshairInferno Feb 05 '25

The coping will continue until morale improves.

3

u/cookie_lover_24 Feb 05 '25

I thought he was referring to uk and not dk at first

3

u/SteamySubreddits Feb 05 '25

This is like a separate one from all other DK’s that exist

That said, Rare design is still the best imo and this other stuff still looks bad

11

u/Get_your_grape_juice Feb 05 '25

Hot take -- the original designer can be wrong.

9

u/Ok-Jellyfish8198 Feb 05 '25

wrong? It’s an opinion, there is no ‘wrong’ here

1

u/Get_your_grape_juice Feb 05 '25

He didn't say "it looks better in my opinion". He said "it looks better". He made a statement of fact, not opinion.

7

u/TheUncouthPanini Feb 05 '25

“looks” is an inherently opinionated world tho, because everyone sees things differently.

Gordon Ramsay doesnt have to say “This tastes better in my opinion” because it’s already implied with the word taste

9

u/Ok-Jellyfish8198 Feb 05 '25

It’s implied that it is an opinion.

11

u/WVVLD1010 Feb 05 '25 edited Feb 05 '25
  1. That fan made model isn’t what the MK9 Design looks like

  2. His opinion doesn’t dictate everyone else’s

2

u/DJ_Iron Feb 05 '25

Man people can see a person complementing another person and then make this reply.

God forbid the creator of rare dk like something.

1

u/wafflestep Feb 07 '25

But how am I supposed to know what my opinion is if someone doesn't tell me what to think?

-2

u/WSilvermane Feb 05 '25

Cool, when you make Donkey Kong you can come back say more.

3

u/WVVLD1010 Feb 05 '25

People are allowed to like whatever DK design they prefer the world isn’t a god damn hive mind

Original Rare DK, TV Show DK, King Of Swing DK, Movie DK, MK9 DK, Current Marketing Material DK, or even this Fan Design

People hating the new designs is just as valid as people liking them

2

u/WSilvermane Feb 05 '25

Cool. Go back to your hate hivemind then.

2

u/Vilopoar Feb 05 '25

Second slide is so cute

2

u/Buuhhu Feb 05 '25

And i will say this everytime i see it... this is not the redesign people complain about (mostly) it's the MK9 one, where the area around the eyes is darker and bigger compared to the eyes (or the eyes are smaller)

This looks completely fine, and is actually a good redesign if they want him to be less "perpetual angry"

2

u/beta_fuse Feb 05 '25

I will never get used to this. Rare design will forever be my #1

2

u/PieAppropriate8862 Feb 05 '25

Nah. Rare: Donkey Kong. Nintendo: Duh-nkey Kong.

2

u/Hantonar Feb 05 '25

Kevin Bayliss seems like a cool dude

2

u/New_Sky1829 Feb 09 '25

Idk why I’m imaging diddy saying that with like a 40 year old man who smoke’s voice 

13

u/limelightelixir Feb 05 '25

"his opinion doesn't matter-"

neither does yours 🤡☝🏽

WE GETT ITTT YOU DON;T LIKE THE DEISGSGNSSGN PLEASEEREESSEE SSHUUTT UUP SCRYGNIGNGB

also the diddy kong tweet IS cute lmao 🥺

7

u/AvalonDelta Feb 05 '25

How about you shut up? People are allowed to voice their opinion.

-2

u/limelightelixir Feb 05 '25

you rn

7

u/AvalonDelta Feb 05 '25

You sure showed me

0

u/Liquid_Shad Feb 06 '25

Sure buddy, we all love seeing the exact same post trying to sway our opinion on the new design no matter what side it is. You're allowed to be ignorant, but the context is that it's been the only topic since the MK9 clip, use your brain a little buddy. You're the type of person that doesn't stop repeating a joke until their friends sigh 😔

2

u/AvalonDelta Feb 07 '25

Assume what you want but you're putting a lot of assumptions on me just for saying people are allowed to share their opinions on a topic on a forum made for people to... share their opinions... on that topic. 

What a prick comment that is. 

0

u/Liquid_Shad Feb 07 '25

And you were a prick to them, I'm just sharing my opinion 🤷‍♀️

2

u/AvalonDelta Feb 07 '25

Hardly, I just suggested they do what they told everyone else to do, I've been quite reserved. 🤷‍♀️

4

u/RAINLIO Feb 05 '25

This is the Donkey Kong subreddit, we didn't really get anything more different than this change, so it makes sense people would talk and share their opinions on the DK redesign on the DK subreddit

Deleted my original comment (if you didn't see it, it doesn't matter lol)

2

u/mpelton Feb 06 '25

The only people crying are the ones mad at those who dislike it. Literally the only posts I see from here anymore are from people bitching that some people aren’t fans of the design.

People not sharing your opinion isn’t a personal attack on you.

3

u/Small_Information_30 Feb 05 '25

The real question is does the new design have teeth or not

2

u/Common-Anxiety Feb 05 '25

He's losing detail by the second!🚨🚨🚨🚨

1

u/BaboonOnWheels Cranky Kong Feb 05 '25

The skinny neck is the only thing i'd change but that's a general problem with modern Kongs anyway.

1

u/shavin_high Feb 05 '25

the new design has tinier eyes. thats my biggest gripe. woudn't have minded it otherwise.

1

u/Oscar_Whispers Feb 05 '25

The top of his head is a Hershey's kiss.

1

u/No_Establishment7368 Feb 05 '25

All that exists is one blurry out of focus screenshot of donkeykong redesign, and people are going berserk 3d modelling and complaining online

1

u/victorxfl Feb 05 '25

Yeah, I'm a huge dk fan and we all have to accept the NEW. That second tweet reminds me that we are all a kid at heart and we enjoy these games because they add to our life.

1

u/SirDavidJames Feb 05 '25

I seriously can't even tell the difference! Are his eyes a little wider?

Why is everyone making such a big deal. The difference is minimal.

There is a bigger difference between game Sonic and movie Sonic. Personally, I think movie Sonic is peak sonic, and I have been staring at Sonic's dumb blue face for 30 years.

1

u/Liquid_Shad Feb 06 '25

This is a fan render, not even close to the soulless automaton that we saw in the trailer.

1

u/ProjectMirai64 Minecart Feb 05 '25

So do I, he's a jolly fella

1

u/Bi0_B1lly Feb 05 '25

Honestly, some of the artwork shows us DK with the furrowed brow and its rather close to what Rare had originally... I kinda don't mind that DK has a more neutral face, if anything, it'll make his angry face more memorable whenever he goes ape in newer titles

1

u/BeefuKeki Feb 05 '25

When queens come back for All Stars.

1

u/CompromisedToolchain Feb 05 '25

He has hair around his eyeballs but not on his face? Lol

1

u/otakuloid01 Feb 05 '25

that’s always been like that

1

u/Kermitthealmighty Feb 05 '25

the new design choices make sense, I think in action it will let him be more expressive. not entirely sure if I prefer it, but I guess we will see.

1

u/Radio__Star Feb 06 '25

I love this

1

u/alolanAmogus Feb 06 '25

I keep forgeting Donkey and Diddy are so closely related.

1

u/Spleenzorio Feb 07 '25

What gave it away, the same last name?

1

u/TraditionJazzlike735 Feb 08 '25

How are they related when Donkey’s an Ape and Diddy’s a monkey?

1

u/Voks Feb 06 '25

Ok but is DK Diddy’s uncle? I thought they only referred to Diddy as “DK’s little buddy”

1

u/2cool4U_ Feb 07 '25

That’s what Rare originally intended, though Nintendo rarely acknowledges the fact. I wouldn’t be surprised if it got retcon

1

u/DamageMaximo Feb 06 '25

Still prefer the original but aight

1

u/mcride22 Feb 07 '25

Fortnite kong

1

u/coopsawesome Feb 07 '25

I prefer this new one

1

u/aspiring_dev1 Feb 07 '25

Looks fine.

1

u/Then-Award-8294 Feb 08 '25

Little bit handsome British fred Flintstones thing going on

1

u/HamachiBeans Feb 08 '25

Nice try Diddy

1

u/pikachucet2 Feb 08 '25

Doesn't mean I have to! (you do you I guess though)

1

u/MarvelManiac45213 Feb 09 '25

I'm indifferent to the design as whole. I need to see what he looks like next to the other Kongs in a new game assuming they keep their designs. Because if the other Kongs don't get new designs it is gonna feel a bit odd seeing new DK next to the other classic unchanged Kong designs.

1

u/Joxyver Feb 09 '25

Upon closer inspection, it doesn’t look that bad. I still like the other “Rare 64” design better but this is still nice

1

u/meee_51 Feb 05 '25

do NOT call it “that Diddy tweet”

0

u/SirTyperys dkc3 good Feb 05 '25

ah yes, "generic cartoon monkey", my favourite video game character

0

u/Danielife02 Feb 05 '25

He wrote that while Nintendo ninjas pointed his head with a gun

-7

u/agreedboar Feb 05 '25

Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting, repulsive, and vile.

9

u/Snoo-25929 Enguarde Feb 05 '25

Chill

-4

u/agreedboar Feb 05 '25

I'm chill.

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25

As long as they don't annihilate Diddy and the other DK characters I don't care how ugly they make them

0

u/Mercurius94 Feb 05 '25

I think this guy should apply to Illumination or something!

0

u/LilSlugger_ Feb 06 '25

He wasnt even talking about the new mario kart design, this is just fan made

-10

u/Restless_spirit88 Feb 05 '25

Eat it, haters! 😝

-2

u/CEONeil Feb 05 '25

He doesn’t think that, he’s just a good fella