In the latest DK Creations YouTube video (via NintendoLife), longtime video game artist Kev Bayliss shows original sketches of Rare’s Donkey Kong Country, and talks about how he transformed Nintendo’s original cartoon ape from a 2D villain to a 3D-represented platform hero.
Using character design sketches he created while working on the 1994 Super Nintendo classic for Rare, Bayliss takes us from Shigeru Miyamoto’s original art Donkey Kong faxed (by fax!) From Nintendo to acrobatic and thick-faced ape that we know and love. No offense to Miyamoto, but his design did not appear to be the kidnapping of Mario’s ex-girlfriend, Pauline. Bayliss ’most overflowing badass looks like it could cause problems all day long.
Bayliss also shows sketches of enemies in the game, some of whom did not make the final cut. Check out all of his sketches in the video below.