Donkey Kong Bananza Fan Theory Shakes Up Super Mario Odyssey Lore—Is Pauline the Key?

The game titled “Donkey Kong Bananza” is set to arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 this summer, and there’s still much we don’t know about it. This upcoming 3D platformer finds players once again stepping into the shoes of Donkey Kong, now joined by a mysterious new friend named Odd Rock. Although Nintendo hasn’t revealed Odd Rock’s true identity, recent leaks hint that this character could be none other than Pauline, transformed or possibly a younger version of her. Fueling fan speculation, there’s talk that “Donkey Kong Bananza” might be a prequel to “Super Mario Odyssey,” or it may shed light on the entire Donkey Kong series.

Initially, Pauline made her debut in the classic arcade game known as Donkey Kong. In this game, Pauline was captured by the titular ape, and players controlled Mario to save her. For many years following, Pauline’s appearances were sparse, but she took on a significant role in the Nintendo Switch game, Super Mario Odyssey. There, Pauline served as the mayor of New Donk City, with the game subtly hinting at her history with Donkey Kong and Mario. The upcoming game, Donkey Kong Bananza, might provide more insight into the backstory of these characters.

The idea presented in this fan theory is intriguing, but it begins to fall apart when examined closely. As it stands now, the Donkey Kong from the original arcade game is actually Cranky Kong; the current Donkey Kong might be his son or grandson, a detail that Nintendo has been inconsistent about over time. Given that Cranky already appeared in the game, this scenario can’t be a prequel to the entire franchise. Consequently, it’s puzzling why Pauline appears in the game looking much younger than before. It could be that Donkey Kong Bananza incorporates time travel elements, or maybe this character is actually related to Pauline instead.

Regardless of the situation, it’s apparent that Nintendo has generated a great deal of excitement among Donkey Kong enthusiasts. Fans are eagerly anticipating more details about the game, including its backstory and the team developing it. Many speculate that “Donkey Kong Bananza” could be under development by Nintendo EPD, the studio behind “Super Mario Odyssey”. This assumption arises due to the similarities seen so far, and if true, it would create another link between the game beyond Pauline’s presence. The only confirmed detail at this point is that long-time Donkey Kong composer David Wise will not contribute to the project.

With “Donkey Kong Bananza” scheduled for release on July 17th, there’s a strong chance we’ll receive additional information about the game following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th. At present, “Mario Kart World” is garnering most of the attention from Nintendo due to its status as the system’s flagship launch title. But once that game hits the shelves, we can anticipate more revelations concerning other first-party games destined for the Nintendo Switch 2.

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2025-04-28 22:40