Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • God of War Laufey
  • PlayStation State of Play
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • New Games 2026
  • Summer Game Fest
  • Best gaming tech
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Platforming Games
  3. Donkey Kong
  4. Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World could be due a Donkey Kong-themed expansion, fans theorize, with the bizarre lack of DK love in the Switch 2 racer leaving players suspicious

News
By Scott McCrae published 12 June 2025

What do you MEAN the babies get more costumes than DK?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Donkey Kong Bananza screenshot of Donkey Kong punching through the landscape with pieces of banana flying through the air
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Mario Kart World released last week alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, and while people are loving it (we gave it a 4.5/5 in the GamesRadar+Mario Kart World review), if you're like me you're no doubt outraged that Donkey Kong only has one of Mario Kart World's Outfits. Despite his own game coming next month with Donkey Kong Bananza, and his big redesign the big ape only gets one new fit. To put that into context, three of the babies have five each. Even Lakitu has more than Donkey Kong, and that dude sucks!

However, Mario Kart fans think there's a reason for this, and that it could signal a potential Donkey Kong expansion coming to Mario Kart World. In a post on the Mario Kart subreddit a user has run down the strange omissions in the game. For example, Diddy Kong (who also got a redesign, despite not being in World or Bananza) is absent, as are all the other members of the DK crew.

The other points include that the majority of DK content found in Mario Kart World is based on the original arcade game, with DK Spaceport basically being a remake of it in racetrack form, and there being a ton of pixelated DK stickers. And somehow in the massive soundtrack the game has, the only DK song is the theme from the Mario Kart 7 track DK Jungle, despite other spinoffs getting tunes. They also note that there are not really any jungle tracks in the game, outside of Dino Dino Jungle (and even then, that got remixed into a laboratory this time around).

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

Potential DK Bananza spoilers ahead based on a Nintendo Korea leak.

Now this could either be compelling evidence or a list of things for DK fans to be bummed out by. But what I think is most interesting is that out of the main cast, the only other character to only get one extra outfit is Pauline. And if a leaked image from Nintendo Korea is anything to go by, Pauline will have a major role in Donkey Kong Bananza.

You may like
  • Bee Wario pops a trick off Crown City Bridge in Mario Kart World Mario Kart World suddenly gets a new game mode after Nintendo ruined its own surprise, alongside a buff for blue shells
  • Donkey Kong punching through rocks in Donkey Kong Bananza Donkey Kong Bananza devs want to make sure Mario and DK's games feel different
  • Donkey Kong Bananza Donkey Kong looking angry with his arms raised Donkey Kong Bananza producer says the game's positive reception helps him "communicate the potential for that character"

Whether it's a full-blown expansion or just some Bananza themed costumes (where are my guy's dungarees!), I could absolutely see a DK-themed update coming to Mario Kart World after it releases. Alternatively, there could be a special outfit unlock for players who purchase Bananza, similar to the one we had with Super Mario Galaxy and Mario Kart Wii back in the day.

Mario Kart World repeats Mario Kart 8's most annoying problem as Nintendo's seemingly hiding all-important stats for characters and vehicles.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch 2 Super Mario Platforms Nintendo
Scott McCrae
Scott McCrae
Social Links Navigation
Contributor

Scott has been freelancing for over four years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Bee Wario pops a trick off Crown City Bridge in Mario Kart World
Super Mario Mario Kart World suddenly gets a new game mode after Nintendo ruined its own surprise, alongside a buff for blue shells
 
 
Donkey Kong punching through rocks in Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza devs want to make sure Mario and DK's games feel different
 
 
Donkey Kong Bananza Donkey Kong looking angry with his arms raised
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza producer says the game's positive reception helps him "communicate the potential for that character"
 
 
DK and Pauline stare at an explosion of gold in Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong "Some ideas from Donkey Kong Bananza" may inform Nintendo's next big project, producer says
 
 
Donkey Kong 64 screenshot showing the main characters
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong 64 is finally coming to Nintendo Switch Online
 
 
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza devs admit the blatantly OP elephant transformation "probably went too far," but "it's fun"
 
 
Latest in Donkey Kong
King K. Rool, framed sideways, looks angry in Donkey Kong 64
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong 64 beat Pokemon mania to become the best-selling game of 1999 in the US
 
 
Donkey Kong 64 screenshot showing the main characters
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong 64 is finally coming to Nintendo Switch Online
 
 
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Nintendo court document reveal shows Shigeru Miyamoto saw Donkey Kong as a man in a gorilla suit
 
 
Donkey Kong punching through rocks in Donkey Kong Bananza with Pauline on his shoulder
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza programmer suggests using the Switch 2 platformer as destructive meditation
 
 
Donkey Kong Bananza Donkey Kong looking angry with his arms raised
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza producer says the game's positive reception helps him "communicate the potential for that character"
 
 
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza devs admit the blatantly OP elephant transformation "probably went too far," but "it's fun"
 
 
Latest in News
Scramble Knights Online character looks off-camera through large slits in his plate helmet
RPGs "The haters were right," RPG devs decide after spending 3 years on a battle royale only to cancel it and pivot on Steam
 
 
Two Path of Exile 2 characters standing in a dark room. A woman with golden tusks and red eyes stands in front of a man adorned with turquoise and gold clothing.
Action RPGs Path of Exile 2 devs narrowly prevented an in-game economic disaster by nerfing a broken money-making strategy
 
 
A warrior clenched her weapon in a screenshot from No Rest For The Wicked's announcement trailer
Action RPGs No Rest for the Wicked boss says the Xbox Series S is the reason the PS5 version is out first
 
 
God of War Laufey
God of War Sony's Cory Barlog compares God of War Laufey's gods to billionaires: "They're all a**holes"
 
 
Half-Life: Alyx old man in hat
Horror Movies Backrooms director says Valve is an inspiration: "Don't make it if there's not a meaningful reason"
 
 
Pragmata lead Diana biting a memory card
Third Person Shooters "I really couldn't sleep": In an absurd year for Capcom, Pragmata leads did not want to stumble
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Scramble Knights Online character looks off-camera through large slits in his plate helmet
    1
    "The haters were right," RPG devs decide after spending 3 years on a battle royale only to cancel it and pivot on Steam
  2. 2
    Path of Exile 2 devs narrowly prevented an in-game economic disaster by nerfing a broken money-making strategy
  3. 3
    No Rest for the Wicked boss says the Xbox Series S is the reason the PS5 version is out first
  4. 4
    Sony's Cory Barlog compares God of War Laufey's gods to billionaires: "They're all a**holes"
  5. 5
    Backrooms director says Valve is an inspiration: "Don't make it if there's not a meaningful reason"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...