Could Mario Kart World be gearing up for a Donkey Kong-themed DLC? The rumors are swirling, and fans are on the edge of their seats! Just as players were settling into the latest update for this beloved Switch 2 launch title, a recent datamine from Nintendo Today! has ignited a wildfire of speculation, thanks to a nudge from IGN. But here's where it gets controversial: could King K. Rool, the notorious villain, be revving up to join the Mario Kart roster? Let’s dive in.
Earlier this week, Nintendo’s news app received a Donkey Kong-themed makeover, with many elements seemingly inspired by Donkey Kong Bananza. Fans, ever the sleuths, decided to datamine these themes to uncover which Kong characters might be making future appearances. Over on Famiboards, user MondoMega shared some intriguing findings—and there were a few jaw-dropping surprises.
Spoiler alert! If you haven’t completed Donkey Kong Bananza and want to keep its secrets intact, now’s the time to stop reading. Among the discoveries was the revelation that King K. Rool, the villainous crocodile, will be featured on the app on December 15th. This is a big deal because Nintendo has rarely acknowledged K. Rool in recent years, aside from his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and his unexpected role as the final boss in Donkey Kong Bananza. Kritters will also make an appearance a few days earlier, on December 9th.
So, why would Nintendo highlight K. Rool on December 15th? It could simply be a promotional stunt—after all, the app often features characters unrelated to game releases. But the timing of this update, coupled with assets directly from Bananza (you can check out the datamined animations on Mario Wiki, though beware of spoilers), has fans buzzing. Could King K. Rool be speeding his way into Mario Kart World?
And this is the part most people miss: shortly after Bananza launched, sharp-eyed players noticed that both King K. Rool and Void Kong’s voices were listed in Mario Kart World’s credits, despite neither character appearing in the game. This isn’t just wild speculation—there’s a trail of breadcrumbs leading to a potential DLC announcement.
With The Game Awards just around the corner, could Nintendo break its tradition of minimal appearances and drop a bombshell? While the company rarely makes major announcements at the event, exceptions like Bayonetta Origins and Smash Bros. DLC have happened. Will 2025 be the year Nintendo surprises us all?
For now, take this with a grain of salt. While the idea of K. Rool tearing up the tracks is thrilling, it’s best not to get too ahead of ourselves. But the question remains: What do you think? Are these datamines pointing to an imminent Mario Kart World DLC, or is this all just wishful thinking? Sound off in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
