Why Is Pauline A Kid In Donkey Kong Bananza
One of the most intriguing aspects of the 2025 game Donkey Kong Bananza is the surprising reimagining of Pauline as a 13-year-old companion to Donkey Kong. Fans of the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises, long familiar with Pauline as the adult mayor of New Donk City (from Super Mario Odyssey) and the original damsel in distress, have been left wondering: Why is Pauline a child in this new adventure? Here’s an in-depth look at Nintendo’s creative choices, the in-game storyline, and what it means for the wider Mario and Donkey Kong canon.
Nintendo’s Creative Process
According to the game’s developers, the decision to include a young Pauline was driven more by design inspiration than by an attempt to establish rigorous timeline continuity. The development team revealed that the idea of making Pauline Donkey Kong’s sidekick emerged organically. Early concept art featured DK interacting with a smaller companion, and as the game’s mechanics for special transformations and musical elements evolved, Pauline’s youthful character was found to fit perfectly with the new gameplay direction.
Nintendo’s creative process often involves layering fun game mechanics and character dynamics before worrying about timeline logistics. Developers have stated that design decisions flow “in response to previous ones rather than as a top-down structure,” and the choice to make Pauline a kid was less about lore and more about enabling playful, charming interactions and fresh abilities—such as Pauline’s singing, which triggers Donkey Kong’s transformations.
In-Game Explanation
Within Donkey Kong Bananza, Pauline is introduced as a 13-year-old who once lived above ground, but was mysteriously brought to the underground world and transformed into a rock-like creature (“Odd Rock”). She eventually regains her human form and teams up with Donkey Kong to journey to the planet’s core in hopes of having her wish—returning home and achieving her dream of becoming a singer—granted.
Pauline’s youthful age has been officially confirmed by Nintendo in character profiles and promotional materials, leaving fans questioning how this fits with her adult persona in previous games. In Bananza, she and Donkey Kong collaborate as equals, a stark contrast to their classic kidnapper/rescuer dynamic.
Timeline and Fan Theories
The presence of a “kid Pauline” has triggered speculation that Bananza is some sort of prequel to Super Mario Odyssey, explaining how she came to live in New Donk City and pursue her singing career. Within the game, the finale even sees Pauline and DK emerging into New Donk City, strongly hinting at this connection. However, the appearance of characters like Cranky Kong—who should, by existing lore, be much older—further complicates any straightforward timeline reading.
Nintendo seems content to leave the precise chronology ambiguous, suggesting that the playful use of characters and ages is more about fun and fresh storytelling than strict adherence to canon.
How It All Came Together
The development process followed Nintendo's characteristic organic approach to game design. From a very early stage in development on Donkey Kong Bananza, the team was discussing what kind of character would be best to accompany Donkey Kong on his travels. And as early as that stage, someone had suggested Pauline might be a good choice, but Pauline was not implemented directly into GameSpec at that time.
Once the zebra transformation concept was created, several gameplay elements fell into place:
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Narrative Guide: Donkey Kong can't speak but Pauline can, providing a narrative guide to Ingot Isle where the game takes place
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Musical Mechanics: Pauline's music also became a clever way to mask game mechanics like pointing out which direction the player is supposed to go in
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Co-op Gameplay: Co-op, meanwhile, lets a second player control her voice to stun enemies as DK is running along.
FAQs
Why is Pauline a kid in Donkey Kong Bananza?
Nintendo reimagined Pauline as a 13-year-old to better fit the game’s tone and mechanics. It wasn’t about lore, but about creating a fun and fresh dynamic with Donkey Kong.
Is Donkey Kong Bananza a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey?
It might be. Some fans believe it is, based on the ending showing New Donk City. However, Nintendo hasn’t confirmed a clear timeline connection.
Does Pauline’s singing affect gameplay?
Yes! Her singing guides players, triggers Donkey Kong’s transformations, and even helps in co-op mode to stun enemies.
