Nintendo Reveals Pauline's Age in Donkey Kong Bananza - Mario's Role

Nintendo's upcoming game, Donkey Kong Bananza, has generated buzz with the official reveal of Pauline's age as a 13-year-old girl passionate about singing. The announcement raises intriguing questions about her timeline and relationship with Donkey Kong, with fans speculating whether this installment is a prequel to her role in Super Mario Odyssey. In Bananza, Pauline and DK collaborate to help her realize her dreams of stardom, contrasting sharply with their historical dynamic where DK is often the villain who kidnaps Pauline. This shift in their relationship dynamic leads to theories about potential future conflicts and character developments.

Pauline's age indicates a different context for her relationship with Donkey Kong in Bananza, suggesting a friendly alliance rather than the usual dynamic of kidnapper and victim. This may lead to plot twists that challenge previous notions about their interactions within the Mario universe.

Donkey Kong Bananza is set up as a significant addition to the franchise, launching on July 17, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2. With its focus on character development and relationships, the game is poised to redefine the narrative around its iconic characters, particularly in how they relate to each other across time periods. The game promises to explore themes of friendship, ambition, and potential conflicts leading up to Pauline's later portrayals in the franchise.