Kouji Takeda has been revealed as the new voice of Donkey Kong in the highly anticipated game, Donkey Kong Bananza. This marks a significant change for one of Nintendo`s most beloved and iconic mascots. While this is a prominent role, it`s not Takeda`s first time lending his voice to the powerful ape; he previously took on the role in the Japanese dub of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and in last month`s Mario Kart World.
According to reports from IGN, Takeda steps into the shoes previously filled by Takashi Nagasako, who voiced Donkey Kong for over two decades. In addition to Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Bananza also introduces a new English voice for Pauline. Jenny Kidd will now portray the character, succeeding Kate Higgins, who was known for her vocal performance as Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey.
Nintendo has been systematically updating the voice cast for many of its beloved characters in recent years, signaling a broader shift in its character portrayals. For instance, Samantha Kelly, the longtime voice of Princess Peach and Toad, recently confirmed that she was replaced after 18 years for Mario Kart World. In 2023, Charles Martinet, who had famously voiced Mario since Super Mario 64 in 1996, transitioned from the role. Last month, Martinet further clarified his decision, stating that he would avoid uttering “weird” lines as Mario, emphasizing the importance of preserving the character`s integrity.
Beyond his new role as Donkey Kong, Kouji Takeda has also contributed his voice talents to other notable Nintendo titles. His previous works include voicing Master Mummy in Arms and Daruk in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, showcasing his versatility within the Nintendo universe.
Donkey Kong Bananza officially launched today on the Nintendo Switch 2. The development of this new adventure for Donkey Kong stemmed from a direct request by Nintendo executive Yoshiaki Koizumi, who tasked the Super Mario Odyssey team with exploring the creation of a new 3D Donkey Kong project.