Nike Is Releasing a New Air Max Sneaker Inspired by a Classic Video Game

Riley Jones

Mon, February 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM UTC

2 min read

Nike’s .Swoosh division has shifted its focus from NFTs and digital sneakers to releasing internet and video game-inspired physical products, with the latest sneaker, the “Big Head Origins” Air Max 1, drawing inspiration from Nintendo’s “Donkey Kong” franchise.
The “Big Head Origins” Air Max 1 features a polygonal design with a Light Chocolate brown suede upper, red Swoosh, and yellow rubber Nike Air badge on the heel, expected to retail for $150 and potentially launching in spring 2025.
While not an official collaboration with Nintendo, the sneaker’s insole features pixelated graphics referencing “DS” coins and banana peels from the “Donkey Kong” games, hinting at a nostalgic and playful design approach.

Nike's futuristic .Swoosh (aka DotSwoosh) division has undergone some major changes since it was introduced in November 2022 , shifting from a focus on NFTs and digital sneakers to now releasing internet and video game-inspired physical products. From the "TINAJ" Air Force 1s to the "Low Poly" Air Max 1 , .Swoosh's newest direction has been met with a positive reception and based on early reactions to its latest sneaker, Nike could have another hit in its hands.

Newly surfaced product photos show the latest .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 sneaker. Reportedly nicknamed "Big Head Origins," the polygonal reworking of Nike's classic 1987 running sneaker takes direct inspiration from an equally influential video game: Nintendo's "Donkey Kong" franchise.

More from Footwear News

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (pair).

Clad in an extra-hairy Light Chocolate brown suede with Hemp accents throughout, the sneaker's Swoosh and plastic eyelet are colored in red and given a jagged polygonal treatment reminiscent of what was used on the "Low Poly" release. The tongue's woven Nike label appears distorted as if it was produced using ancient video game graphics, while the heel features a circular rubber Nike Air badge in yellow.

And while the upcoming release does not appear to be an official collaboration with Nintendo, Nike wasn't shy about showcasing the sneaker's inspiration. If the message wasn't clear from the outside, the insole of the shoe features a pixelated background with graphics of "DS" coins — for "DotSwoosh" instead of "Donkey Kong" — and the banana peel found throughout the franchise's numerous titles.

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (insole).<cite>Nike</cite> — .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (insole).

Although a release date has not been confirmed, the .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 "Big Head Origins" sneaker is expected to launch during spring 2025 for a retail price of $150. Given that Nike's Air Max Day celebration takes place in March, it's not a stretch to anticipate the pair could arrive sometime next month. The sneaker has a SKU of HV5776-200 and its full colorway is Light Chocolate/University Red/Hemp/Sanddrift.

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (lateral).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (midsole).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (top).<cite>Nike</cite> — .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (top).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (heel).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (detail).<cite>Nike</cite> — .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (detail).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (heel detail).<cite>Nike</cite> — .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (heel detail).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (sole).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (tongue detail).<cite>Nike</cite> — .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (tongue detail).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (shoebox).

.Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (open shoebox).<cite>Nike</cite> — .Swoosh Nike Air Max 1 'Big Head Origins' (open shoebox).

Launch Gallery: 50 Years of Nike Through TV, Film and Celebrities

Best of Footwear News

Don't Miss: