A recent update to the official Nintendo website has led to speculation that the company is releasing a new Donkey Kong game on the Switch. The change involved switching out Diddy Kong's sprite on the Super Mario Bros. universe character page for one that was more modern.

The Nintendo Switch has yet to receive a unique Donkey Kong game. The system received an updated port of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, but that was originally a Wii U game. The Donkey Kong franchise is heavily featured in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and other Nintendo party/sports games, but that has always been the case. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle had Donkey Kong DLC, but this wasn't the true Donkey Kong video game experience that fans had been hoping for.

Related: How Big Donkey Kong's Family Actually Is: All Kongs Explained

As of the time of writing, Nintendo has yet to announce a new Donkey Kong game, but there is still a chance that one is in development. In 2020, Nintendo announced Paper Mario: The Origami King and Pikmin 3 Deluxe shortly before they were initially released, so it's possible that the company has the same in store for a new Donkey Kong game. The recent Diddy Kong render situation has also stoked the hopes of fans.

Donkey Kong On Switch Rumors: The Diddy Kong Update

Diddy Kong New Render Cover Nintendo

The reason why there is speculation about a new Donkey Kong game is due to a recent change to Nintendo's Japanese website. It was noticed that Diddy Kong's render has been updated. The official Nintendo website used a render of Diddy from Mario Party DS, but it was updated to one with more detail, especially his fur. This led to speculation that Nintendo has another Donkey Kong game in the works for the Nintendo Switch.

Metroid Prime 4 & A New Developer?

The previous two Donkey Kong Country games were developed by Retro Studios and they would seem like the ideal company to make a new one. There's just one problem, however, and that's Metroid Prime 4. In 2019, Nintendo officially delayed Metroid Prime 4. It was also revealed that Retro Studios would be coming back on board as the developers of the game. Nintendo has yet to make any more announcements regarding Metroid Prime 4, even though the game has been in development for two years. Fans keep waiting for footage of the game, but they are left disappointed each time. It's likely that Retro Studios is hard at work at Metroid Prime 4, which means that a new Donkey Kong game would likely be produced by another studio - if one is in the works at all.

Next: Why Nintendo Doesn't Want You To Swap Your Joy-Con Shells