Nintendo fans are buzzing with theories about upcoming DLC for Mario Kart World, sparked by datamined details from the Nintendo Today app. The speculation centers on a Donkey Kong Bananza-themed expansion featuring King K. Rool, whose voice actor appeared in the game's credits. This comes ahead of The Game Awards 2025, where an announcement could potentially drop.
Background on the Speculation
Enthusiasts point to recent datamined information from the Nintendo Today app, which delivers daily Nintendo-themed content. A new Donkey Kong theme was added, and leaks suggest it will showcase an intro animation for King K. Rool on December 15, 2025. This marks Nintendo's first official nod to the character, who served as a major plot twist in Donkey Kong Bananza.
Connection to Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World launched alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 and has seen strong sales, nearly matching the console's figures. Players noticed that the credits included Japanese voice actors for King K. Rool and Donkey Kong Bananza's boss, Void Kong, even though these characters were absent from the base game. Fans interpret this as a hint toward a Donkey Kong-focused expansion, especially given the limited Donkey Kong costumes available.
Timing and Expectations
The animation's rollout follows The Game Awards 2025 on December 11, fueling hopes for a DLC reveal there. Nintendo has previously announced content at the event. While no post-launch expansions have been confirmed for Mario Kart World, the game has received updates, including a recent patch adding custom item rules. These theories remain unverified, but they highlight ongoing demand for more content in the popular racer.