LEGO has officially confirmed that new sets based on the Donkey Kong franchise are on the way. Over the past few years, Nintendo and LEGO have worked together on several popular franchises, including Super Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing. While some Donkey Kong themed sets were previously included in the LEGO Super Mario lineup, it now looks like the company plans to give the franchise much more attention.
The History of Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong first appeared in the classic 1981 arcade game. At that time, the giant ape served as the main villain, while players controlled Mario, who was originally known as “Jumpman.” Mario’s mission was to rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong.
Over the years, Donkey Kong evolved from a villain into a hero, and the franchise introduced many memorable characters. Friends like Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong became fan favorites, while enemies such as King K. Rool and the Kremlings also gained popularity.
LEGO Has Teased Donkey Kong
LEGO recently shared a short teaser video on Instagram that immediately excited fans. The video simply shows a rolling barrel. The design of the barrel closely resembles the one seen in the original Donkey Kong arcade game, leading many fans to believe that LEGO could be preparing an arcade cabinet replica set.
Last year, LEGO released a detailed Game Boy collectible set, so many believe the company could now be planning a LEGO version of the classic Donkey Kong arcade machine. If that happens, fans may also get small LEGO versions of Mario, Pauline, and Donkey Kong.
What Fans Expect From the Sets
The gaming community is already discussing what LEGO could create with the Donkey Kong franchise. Some fans hope the destructible environments from Donkey Kong Bananza will be turned into interactive LEGO sets.
Others would love to see King K. Rool’s pirate ship or stages inspired by Mario vs. Donkey Kong recreated in LEGO form. The Donkey Kong universe is full of creative locations and characters, giving LEGO plenty of exciting possibilities.
The Success of Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong is currently enjoying a strong comeback in the gaming industry. Donkey Kong Bananza became a major success on Switch 2, selling more than 4.5 million copies in less than a year.
The game marked the first completely new major Donkey Kong title in many years. During the Switch era, fans mostly received remakes and ports, but Bananza finally brought the franchise back into the spotlight.
Many fans believe this is the biggest moment for Donkey Kong since the SNES era and the release of the Donkey Kong Country trilogy.
Could Donkey Kong Get a Movie?
The future of Donkey Kong may extend beyond video games. Reports suggest the character could eventually receive a standalone movie. Actor Seth Rogen voiced Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and has already expressed interest in a spin-off film.
Illumination is currently working on a mysterious Nintendo movie scheduled for 2028. While nothing has been officially confirmed, fans are hopeful that it could be connected to the Donkey Kong universe.
Conclusion
The partnership between LEGO and Nintendo has already produced several iconic gaming sets, and the new attention being given to Donkey Kong is making fans even more excited. Whether it turns out to be an arcade cabinet, Bananza inspired worlds, or classic characters, fans are now eagerly waiting to see what LEGO officially reveals next.
