Nintendo Hong Kong has announced some changes to the Chinese localization names for a few characters from the Mario series.

The characters who received name updates are Donkey Kong, Princess Peach, and Princess Daisy. The updated names are planned to be used in future releases from the franchise, and are meant to be closer to the pronunciation of the characters’ original names.

Nintendo Hong Kong announces changes in Chinese localization names of Mario Franchise characters:

Donkey Kong 森喜刚 -> 咚奇刚
Peach 桃花 -> 碧姬
Daisy 菊花 -> 黛西

The goal is to have the localized names "pronounce more similar to the original names". pic.twitter.com/jgEIPKV7sf

— Chinese Nintendo (@chinesenintendo) December 23, 2022

According to ChineseNintendo, this is the first time the company has officially announced a chance in localization names for the Chinese language region. Some fans have speculated this could have something to do with the upcoming film, or perhaps due to a new game project featuring these characters.

This is the first time Nintendo officially announced a change of localized names in the Chinese language region, with previous changes only analyzed unofficially by gamers.

It is speculated that these changes were announced in preparation for the Mario movie.

— Chinese Nintendo (@chinesenintendo) December 23, 2022

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