A recent move from Nintendo has fueled one of the biggest theories among Donkey Kong and Mario Kart fans. Nintendo has officially confirmed the secret character at the end of its new platformer, Donkey Kong: Bananza a name they’ve carefully avoided since launch due to major spoilers. This confirmation has sent speculation about a massive Mario Kart World DLC announcement to an all-time high.

Nintendo’s Hidden Name: King K. Rool

If you’ve completed the thrilling finale of Donkey Kong Bananza, you know the adventure doesn’t end after defeating the main villain, Void Kong. The series’ legendary antagonist, King K. Rool, returns as the ultimate boss, delivering a huge surprise.

Since launch, Nintendo has refused to publicly mention K. Rool’s presence in the game to avoid spoiling this big reveal.

Official Confirmation and Perfect Timing

• What Happened? Nintendo’s mobile app, Nintendo Today, was updated with a new Donkey Kong theme. Dataminers discovered that the app will feature an animation with King K. Rool on 15 December 2025.

• Why Does It Matter? This date marks the first official public acknowledgment of K. Rool’s appearance in Bananza.

Mario Kart World DLC Theory

What turns this simple app update into a major DLC clue for Nintendo fans is the timing and in-game evidence:

1. The Game Awards and Timing: The release date for King K. Rool’s animation, 15 December, is just a few days after The Game Awards 2025 (11 December). Nintendo has previously announced major DLC characters for games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at TGA.

2. Voice Actor Evidence (Crucial Clue): Shortly after Donkey Kong Bananza launched, sharp-eyed players noticed that the voice actors for King K. Rool and Void Kong (Tsuguo Mogami and Yū Hayashi) were credited in Mario Kart World. However, these characters weren’t part of the launch roster.

This is seen as the strongest evidence yet that Nintendo planned to add K. Rool and Void Kong as DLC characters, keeping them out of the base game to preserve Bananza’s surprises.

Expected Donkey Kong DLC Content

If the theory holds and the DLC is announced at TGA, here’s what might come to Mario Kart World:

• New Racers: King K. Rool and Void Kong.

• Additional Costumes: Bananza-themed outfits for Donkey Kong and Pauline (supporting the theory, as both currently have fewer costumes than other characters).

• Bananza Track: A brand-new Grand Prix course inspired by the world of Donkey Kong Bananza.