The story of Super Mario and Donkey Kong began in 1981 with one of the most important milestones in video game history. Nintendo’s arcade classic Donkey Kong introduced the world to two characters who would go on to become gaming legends.
Back then, their roles were very different from what we know today.
Mario was known simply as “Jumpman,” a carpenter tasked with rescuing his girlfriend Pauline from the clutches of the giant ape Donkey Kong. Players had to climb ladders, dodge rolling barrels, and make their way to the top of the construction site in one of the most iconic arcade games ever created.
Over the decades, both characters evolved into global icons.
Mario became the world’s most famous plumber, while Donkey Kong starred in his own highly successful series beginning with Donkey Kong Country in 1994.
Today, the two are no longer rivals but beloved Nintendo heroes who regularly appear together in games, competitions, and adventures enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.
For us PEZ collectors, Donkey Kong has been a staple of the Super Mario PEZ series since 2016. With Mario and Toad receiving updated molds last year, it felt only a matter of time before Donkey Kong would follow.
Now, exactly ten years after his original PEZ release, the iconic Nintendo character returns with an all-new mold that perfectly fits the modern Super Mario PEZ lineup.
As you can see in our Old vs. New Mold comparison, the updated Donkey Kong dispenser is immediately recognizable.
The new sculpt features a more modern appearance, improved character details, and a design that perfectly complements the current Super Mario PEZ assortment.
It is a fantastic update that brings Donkey Kong in line with the latest generation of Nintendo PEZ dispensers.
The new Donkey Kong PEZ dispenser is expected to arrive soon in both the U.S. and Europe, so collectors may want to start making room in their display cases now.
If you are still missing last year’s updated Mario and Toad dispensers, be sure to check out our previous comparison article where we take a closer look at all the differences between the old and new molds.
We are excited to welcome another new addition to the Super Mario PEZ collection and look forward to seeing the updated Donkey Kong dispenser find its place in collections around the world.
Of course, we have also updated our Super Mario PEZ pictorial, allowing you to see exactly how the new Donkey Kong mold compares to both the previous version and the rest of the current Nintendo PEZ lineup.
We can’t wait to welcome this new dispenser into our collections and complete the next chapter of the Super Mario PEZ series.
Happy Collecting!
