In the world of Nintendo, a surprising revelation has sparked intense fan speculation: Pauline’s age in Donkey Kong Bananza has been confirmed as 13, leaving many wondering about the game’s place in the larger timeline.
A new character profile shared on the game’s Japanese website has shed light on this younger version of Pauline, a singing enthusiast who has been mysteriously transported from an above-ground life to the underground world, where she transforms into a rock.
The revelation, made during Donkey Kong Bananza’s Nintendo Direct, seems to suggest this young Pauline might be the same character from Super Mario Odyssey, where an older, accomplished version of Pauline serves as the mayor of New Donk City and a lead singer. However, the relationship between Pauline and Donkey Kong has evolved over the years. In Donkey Kong Bananza, the two characters seem to be allies, helping Pauline return to the surface to pursue her musical dreams. This marks a stark contrast to their previous interactions, where Donkey Kong famously abducted Pauline in the early arcade days of the Donkey Kong franchise.
Fans are now questioning the true timeline of events. Could this game be a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey? If so, how does Pauline’s past, including her traumatic kidnapping by Donkey Kong, fit into the picture? What makes the situation even murkier is that Nintendo has never officially confirmed Pauline’s age in any of her prior appearances, adding more mystery to her story. While Pauline’s journey in Bananza seems to lead to a bright future in music, fans are left wondering just how this will tie into her more mature role in Odyssey.
The concept of Donkey Kong and Pauline teaming up is a refreshing twist, given their previously adversarial relationship. As fans dig deeper into the story, questions arise about what might happen at the end of Bananza. Could there be a shift in DK’s character that turns him from an ally to an antagonist once more? Is Mario going to swoop in as the hero, rescuing Pauline from Donkey Kong once again?
Some fans have even proposed that the game could throw a curveball, revealing that Mario, not Donkey Kong, has been the villain all along. In this scenario, Donkey Kong would be the one trying to protect Pauline from Mario’s supposed criminal activities, creating a surprising new dynamic in the Nintendo universe. Others are considering the possibility that Cranky Kong, who appears in Bananza, might be the original Donkey Kong who kidnapped Pauline in earlier titles. But then again, is this really the same Pauline, or perhaps her daughter?
With Donkey Kong Bananza set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 in July 2025, fans are eagerly awaiting answers. Will the game change everything we thought we knew about the relationship between Pauline, Donkey Kong, and Mario? Or will Nintendo leave us with more questions than answers?
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