Pauline's Age Confirmed in Donkey Kong, Hinting at Mario Odyssey Prequel

Nintendo has officially revealed the age of Pauline, Donkey Kong Banana's sidekick, raising questions about the young character's timeline and how Banana's narrative will align with previous titles. In the original arcade game, for instance, Donkey Kong was famously the villain who kidnapped Pauline.

According to a character profile on the Japanese website for Donkey Kong Banana, Nintendo describes Pauline as a "13-year-old girl who loves singing. She previously lived above ground but was taken to the underground world for unknown reasons and transformed into a rock."

The introduction of this younger Pauline during the recent Donkey Kong Banana Nintendo Direct strongly indicates she is the same music-loving character seen in Super Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch, where an adult Pauline serves as mayor of New Donk City and lead vocalist of a popular band.

Fans have been quick to speculate about what this means for Pauline's overall timeline. The friendly partnership between DK and Pauline in Banana is a stark contrast to their usual dynamic of kidnapper and victim. Does something happen to DK that turns him evil? Or have we misunderstood their relationship all along?

In Donkey Kong Banana, the two team up to help the teenage Pauline return to the surface and pursue her dream of becoming a world-renowned singer. Her role as a singer in Odyssey suggests she ultimately succeeds.

While Banana appears to be a prequel to Odyssey story-wise, the exact timeline remains unclear. Nintendo has never confirmed Pauline's age in Odyssey or her other appearances, leaving the timeframe of Banana's events uncertain.

By connecting the character across games through her musical ambitions, the link also highlights how Odyssey's Pauline recalls her kidnapping by DK as a "traumatic" experience.

Donkey Kong Banana Direct Screenshots

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Pauline has been kidnapped by DK on multiple occasions. Most famously, Mario rescues her in the original Donkey Kong arcade game, but she is kidnapped again in several Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 series titles.

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, DK kidnaps Pauline after she chooses a gift from Mario over one from him. In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, an angry DK kidnaps her again after missing a theme park opening.

Later installments in the series, however, show a friendlier side to their relationship. In Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, they host a mini-game together, and in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, they collaborate to throw Mario a surprise party.

Could something at the end of Donkey Kong Banana strain DK and Pauline's relationship, turning the ape from ally to kidnapper? Might we see the events of the original arcade game unfold within Banana, with Mario stepping in as the hero? Or has the classic story been misinterpreted?

Some fans speculate that Banana will flip the Mario universe on its head by revealing that DK and Pauline are actually friends—and that Mario has been the villain all along, essentially "rescuing" Pauline when she was simply spending time with her pal.

All questions may be answered when Donkey Kong Banana launches as Nintendo's next major Switch 2 title on July 17, 2025.